1. In other words> The Rules of Standard WRITTEN English
The ACT English Test
Format – 5 passages with phrases or words underlined. Multiple choice asks if the underlined is correct or should be corrected with alternates listed.
Skills Tested - punctuation, sentence structure and rhetorical skills
In other words> The Rules of
Standard WRITTEN English

2. Know BASIC Grammar Terms
Tom broke the vase.
(noun/subject, verb, article, noun/object)
Tom accidentally broke the big vase of flowers.
(+ adverb, adjective, preposition, prepositional phrase)
 As he ran across the room, Tom accidentally broke the big vase of flowers.
(+ pronoun, independent and dependent clause)

3. SENTENCE STRUCTURE ERRORS
Error #1 Sentence Fragments
A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb and be able to stand alone. (independent clause)
Watch for words that can change an independent clause
to one that is dependent. For example:
when, where, why, how, if, as, because,
although, despite, while, that, who, what
Example:
Mary arrived on campus happy and content.
While Mary arrived on campus happy and content.

4. 2 types of sentence fragment questions asked on the ACT
A dependent clause waiting of a second half that isn’t there
Example:
As the children ran behind
shouting and screaming.
A. NO CHANGE
B. While the
C. During which the
D. The
Incorporate a fragment into a complete sentence using different punctuation
Example:
As the children ran behind
shouting and screaming. The
car sped away.
A. NO CHANGE
B. screaming, the
C. screaming; the
D. screaming. A

5. Error #2 Comma splices and run-ons A comma splice occurs when 2 independent clauses are put together with only a comma to hold them. Example: Mary arrived on campus, she was filled with anxiety.   Fix it! Break into two sentences Mary arrived on campus. She was filled with anxiety.   Add a conjunction. Mary arrived on campus, and she was filled with anxiety.   Add a semicolon. Mary arrived on campus; she was filled with anxiety.

6. A run on sentence is the same as a comma splice, without the comma
A run on sentence is the same as a comma splice, without the comma. Example: Mary arrived on campus she was filled with anxiety. The easiest solution? Break up into two sentences. Mary arrived on campus. She was filled with anxiety.

7. Error #3 Misplaced Modifiers
A modifying phrase needs to be near what it is modifying.
If it gets too far away, it can be misplaced.
Example:
Pushing the heavy cart, the refrigerator was dropped by Mary.
The noun being modified (Mary) with the beginning phrase (pushing the cart) must immediately follow or there is
confusion.
Pushing the heavy cart, Mary dropped the refrigerator.

8. Construction shifts may be used to fix a misplaced modifier
Construction shifts may be used to fix a misplaced modifier. The modifier is in the wrong place and needs to be shifted.
Example:
Clumsily, Mary’s refrigerator fit into the narrow space.
Mary clumsily fit the refrigerator into the narrow space.
*Stop! Do “Give it a try!”

9. *Stop! Do Sentence Structure Drill *
Error #4 Non-Parallel Structure – ACT tests 2 types of parallel structure errors. Both involve listing
There may be a list of verbs and the tense may be inconsistent.
Example:
Mary hung her clothes, arranged her desk and tapes posters on her walls.
There may be a list of nouns with an inconsistency.
Mary has a desire to learn, a passion for art and craving for adventure. WRONG!
Mary has a desire to learn, a passion for art and a craving for adventure. PARALLEL!
*Stop! Do Sentence Structure Drill *

10. GRAMMAR AND USAGE RULES TO KNOW FOR ACT
Pronoun Rule: Agreement
Pronouns always agree with the noun to which it refers (antecedent). Errors in pronoun agreement are common in spoken English.
Example: Every young girl treasures their first doll.
Every young girl treasures her first doll.
But in written English, agreement errors should be corrected.
Pronoun Rule: Case
Subject pronouns are: I, we, you, he, she, it, they and who
Object pronouns are: me, us, you, him her, it them and whom 
Example: (She/Her) waited for a roommate to call (she/her).

11. ACT will have a who and whom error question
ACT will have a who and whom error question. If the pronoun is acting as a subject of a clause, who is the choice. Example: The roommate, who arrived late, apologized to her.   If the pronoun follows a preposition and is the object of the preposition, whom is the right choice. Example: The roommate arrived late explaining about whom she met along the way.
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT If the verb or a sentence is singular, the subject must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Example: The best moment on campus, of all her exciting experiences, were when she met her roommate. WHAT’s WRONG?

12. PRONOUN-VERB AGREEMENT Pronouns used as subjects must also agree with the verb tense. Example: Each of these moments plays in her mind again and again as she recalls the excitement of her first days of college. WHAT’s the subject?
VERB TENSE
Do you remember all the tenses of verbs?
present, past, future, present perfect, past perfect, future perfect
How does the ACT test verb tense?
They will test if you can spot inconsistencies in verb tense.
Example:
Mary is walking to the theater when she found a kitten. WRONG
Mary is walking to the theater when she finds a kitten. Or
Mary was walking to the theater when she found a kitten.

13. IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS
Idiomatic expression is a law unto itself. Native speakers sometimes understand an expression is as it is “just because.”
Example: Mary’s art project is based after Rodin’s Thinker WRONG
Mary’s art project is based on Rodin’s Thinker.
Your ear may be your best tool to handle this type question on the ACT.
*Now, a Grammar Drill *

14. Punctuation Comma Rules Rule #1 – The Serial Comma
The ACT test writers expect you to use a comma after each item listed in a series…INCLUDING the item placed before the conjunction “and.”
Example: When Mary walked to the library she saw a squirrel, a boy flying a kite, a woman eating a bagel, and a bird.
Rule #2 – Separating Clauses and Phrases
The ACT tests your ability to use commas when separating two independent clauses, or a clause and a phrase.
Two independent clauses
Mary noticed there was a bird in the classroom, and she decided to open the window.
An independent clause and a dependent clause
Before Mary could reach the window, the bird flew to the top book shelf.
An independent clause and a modifying phrase
Frustrated and tired, Mary slammed the window shut.

15. Comma Rule #3 – Separating restrictive and nonrestrictive elements
Restrictive phrase is ESSENTIAL to the sentence-requires NO comma
Nonrestrictive phrase is NOT ESSENTIAL – requires a comma
Mary, who never liked birds, picked up her
books and left. (not essential)
People who like birds have more patience. (essential)

16. Semicolon
Use the semicolon to connect two independent clauses that are closely related.
Mary is majoring in animal science; she wants to someday be a veterinarian.
Colon
Colons are used to designate a list following an independent clause. An ACT trick is to use a colon following an incomplete thought which would be incorrect. Beware the phrases “including” and “such as” as a list is introduced – a colon should not be used as punctuation.
 Mary went camping and took lots of gear: a flashlight, tent, cook stove, mosquito netting, and sleeping bag. CORRECT
Mary went camping and took lots of gear including: a flashlight, tent, cook stove, mosquito netting and sleeping bag. IT’s A TRICK!!!

17. Dashes
Dashes (-) are used to show an abrupt break in thought or introduce an explanation or afterthought. 
Mary was grateful to be home – even though she enjoyed the company – she didn’t enjoy sleeping in a tent.
Apostrophes
An apostrophe is used to show possession or mark missing letters (as in contractions). 
Review rules of possession
Singular noun ‘s girl’s doll
Plural noun s’ girls’ houses
Plural form w/o an s women’s houses

18. Common apostrophe errors
Its/It’s/Its’
Its mother curled around him.
It’s a good mother cat.
Its’ is not a word at all, but ACT likes to try to TRICK YOU!
There are other punctuation questions that may appear on the ACT –the exclamation point, parentheses, question mark, and quotation marks
but those presented have proved to be the most challenging.
*Punctuation Drill*

19. RHETORICAL QUESTIONS
The ACT writers break down rhetorical skills into 3 subcategories:
strategy, organization and style.
Strategy Questions.
Most strategy questions concern transitions. Three main words used for sentence connectors are but, therefore and also.
But (contradiction) – however, despite, rather, on the other hand, although, yet, nevertheless
Therefore (cause and effect) – hence, and so, thus, consequently, for example, finally, because of, in conclusion
Also (in addition) – for example, furthermore, another, and , first, second, moreover, by the same token, similarly, besides
The ACT test will want you to recognize the shades of meaning in the context presented.

20. Organizational Questions
There are 3 kinds of organizational questions.
check placement of word or phrase
reorder sentences in a paragraph
reorder paragraphs in a passage
Style Questions
Redundancy represents a large number of style questions.
The ACT likes economy in sentences. If something is stated twice, take it out!
*Rhetorical Drill*