1. ACT Prep English

2. Comparisons  The items being compared in a sentence must be able to be logically compared Today, life expectancies of both men and women are much higher compared to the turn of the century when living conditions were much harsher. Today, life expectancies of both men and women are much higher compared to the turn of the century when living conditions were much harsher. These are two dissimilar concepts These are two dissimilar concepts Should read: compared to those of the turn of the centuriesShould read: compared to those of the turn of the centuries

3. Sequence and Verb Tense  Verb tenses should be consistent and show an accurate time sequence As soon as Linda finished writing her dissertation, she will take a vacation. As soon as Linda finished writing her dissertation, she will take a vacation. A recent study shows that many mothers re- enter the labor force after their children left home. A recent study shows that many mothers re- enter the labor force after their children left home.

4. Conciseness  The best writing is usually short and straight to the point.  Sentences that are grammatically correct can still be in need of correction in style  The giant condor is able to spread its wings up to 25 feet.  The giant condor has a wingspan of up to 25 feet.

5. Conciseness Con’t  Passive verbs often create needlessly long sentences Is, are, was, were, be, being, been, etc. Is, are, was, were, be, being, been, etc.  One-fourth of the market was captured by the new computer firm.  The new computer firm captured one- fourth of the market.

6. Unintended Meanings  Misplaced or unclear phrases can change the meaning of a sentence A childless chairwoman’s daughter, Dr. Roberts was a self-made woman. A childless chairwoman’s daughter, Dr. Roberts was a self-made woman.

7. Misplaced Modifiers  Watch placement of phrases/clauses; they should be close to the word (s) they modify.

8. How might you correct the following sentence? Jennifer called her adorable kitten opening the can of tuna and filled the food bowl. Better: Opening the can of tuna, Jennifer called her adorable kitten and filled the food bowl.

9. How might you correct the following sentence? Portia rushed to the store loaded with cash to buy the birthday gift. Better: Portia, loaded with cash, rushed to the store to buy the birthday gift.

10. Misplaced Modifiers  Some one-word modifiers often cause confusion: almost justnearlysimply even hardlymerelyonly

11. Explain the meaning of each sentence:  Almost everyone in the class passed the calculus exam.  Everyone in the class almost passed the calculus exam.  Which sentence indicates that everyone in the class failed the exam?

12. Idioms and Clarity of Expression  Low-level usage Instead of “ain’t”, say, “are not” Instead of “ain’t”, say, “are not” Instead of “should of”, say “should have” Instead of “should of”, say “should have”  Watch for diction (word choice) There are less students in the class now. There are less students in the class now. There are fewer students in the class now. There are fewer students in the class now.  Watch for wrong prepositions I asked him if he was from about here. I asked him if he was from about here.

13. Practice  Open Big Book to pg. 51-52 do #:  16,19,22,24,25,26  Pg 57-59 do #: 2,15,17,19,20,29,30,42,48,59,66,72,74,87  Homework : Finish Exercise 4 Big Book pg. p. 49-52 & p. 57-64 Big Book pg. p. 49-52 & p. 57-64