English ACT Prep

1. English ACT Prep Sentence Structure

2. Usage/Mechanics (53% - 40 questions) Punctuation (13%) Grammar and usage (16%) Sentence structure (24%) Rhetorical Skills (47% or 35 questions) Strategy (16%) Organization (15%) Style (16%) The English test is a 75-question, 45-minute test, covering:

3. Usage/Mechanics (53% - 40 questions) Punctuation (13%) Grammar and usage (16%) Sentence structure (24%) Rhetorical Skills (47% or 35 questions) Strategy (16%) Organization (15%) Style (16%) The English test is a 75-question, 45-minute test, covering:

4. Sentence Structure There are four main types of errors in sentence structure: • Sentence fragments • Run-ons and comma splices • Misplaced modifiers • Parallel construction

5. Sentence Fragments

6. Sentence Fragments A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb, and express a complete thought. In other words it must be, or contain, an independent clause: Tom broke the vase.

7. Sentence Fragments Tom broke the vase. This is an independent clause. We can change it into a dependent clause by adding just one word: When Tom broke the vase.

8. Sentence Fragments Tom broke the vase. This is an independent clause. We can change it into a dependent clause by adding just one word: When Tom broke the vase.

9. Subordinating words: • When • Where • How • Why • If • As • because • Although • While • Despite • That • Who • What

10. Sentence Fragment Type 1 A dependent clause waiting for a second half that isn’t there: The bride and groom drove away in their car. As the children ran behind, shouting and laughing. • NO CHANGE • While the • During which the • The

11. Sentence Fragment Type 1 A dependent clause waiting for a second half that isn’t there: The bride and groom drove away in their car. As the children ran behind, shouting and laughing. • NO CHANGE • While the • During which the • The

12. Sentence Fragment Type 2 A dependent clause that needs to be connected to the complete sentence before or after it: Although it will always be associated with Shakespeare’s famous literary character. The castle at Elsinore was never home to Hamlet. • NO CHANGE • character, the • character; the • character. A

13. Sentence Fragment Type 2 A dependent clause that needs to be connected to the complete sentence before or after it: Although it will always be associated with Shakespeare’s famous literary character. The castle at Elsinore was never home to Hamlet. • NO CHANGE • character, the • character; the • character. A

14. Comma Splices and Run-ons

15. Comma Splices In a comma splice , two independent clauses are jammed together into one sentence, usually with only a comma to hold them together: Aunt Sally ran into the room, Tom was already gone.

16. Comma Splices There are several ways to fix these: 1.Break it into two sentences: Aunt Sally ran into the room. Tom was already gone.

17. Comma Splices There are several ways to fix these: 2. Connect the two thoughts with a conjunction: Aunt Sally ran into the room, but Tom was already gone.

18. Comma Splices There are several ways to fix these: 3. Break up the thoughts with a semicolon instead of a period: Aunt Sally arrived home several hours later; Tom was already gone.

19. Run-ons A run-on is pretty much the same thing as a comma splice, without the comma: Aunt Sally swept up the shards of glass she was furious.

20. Run-ons A run-on is pretty much the same thing as a comma splice, without the comma: Aunt Sally swept up the shards of glass she was furious.

21. Run-ons A run-on is pretty much the same thing as a comma splice, without the comma: Aunt Sally swept up the shards of glass she was furious.

22. Run-ons Fix a run-on in the same manner as a comma splice: Aunt Sally swept up the shards of glass. Shewas furious.

23. Comma Splices and Run-ons A couple of examples: There is not much difference between the decision to enter politics and the decision to jump into a pit full of rattlesnakes, in fact, you might find a friendlier environment in the snake pit. • NO CHANGE • rattlesnakes. In fact, • rattlesnakes in fact • rattlesnakes, in fact

24. Comma Splices and Run-ons A couple of examples: There is not much difference between the decision to enter politics and the decision to jump into a pit full of rattlesnakes, in fact, you might find a friendlier environment in the snake pit. • NO CHANGE • rattlesnakes. In fact, • rattlesnakes in fact • rattlesnakes, in fact

25. Comma Splices and Run-ons A couple of examples: The college’s plans for expansion included a new science building and a new dormitory if the funding drive were successful there would be enough money for both. • NO CHANGE • dormitory, if • dormitory: if • dormitory; if

26. Comma Splices and Run-ons A couple of examples: The college’s plans for expansion included a new science building and a new dormitory if the funding drive were successful there would be enough money for both. • NO CHANGE • dormitory, if • dormitory: if • dormitory; if

27. Misplaced Modifiers

28. Misplaced Modifiers A modifying phrase needs to be near what it is modifying. If too far away, it gets misplaced: Sweeping up the shards of glass, the missing key to the jewelry box was found by Aunt Sally.

29. Misplaced Modifiers A modifying phrase needs to be near what it is modifying. If too far away, it gets misplaced: Sweeping up the shards of glass, the missing key to the jewelry box was found by Aunt Sally.

30. Misplaced Modifiers A modifying phrase needs to be near what it is modifying. If too far away, it gets misplaced: Sweeping up the shards of glass, the missing key to the jewelry box was found by Aunt Sally. As written, this sentence gives the impression that the missing key was sweeping up the shards of glass.

31. Misplaced Modifiers When a sentence begins with a modifying phrase, the noun being modified must follow the phrase: Sweeping up the shards of glass, Aunt Sally found the missing key to her jewelry box.

32. Misplaced Modifiers When a sentence begins with a modifying phrase, the noun being modified must follow the phrase: Sweeping up the shards of glass, Aunt Sally found the missing key to her jewelry box.

33. Misplaced Modifiers When a sentence begins with a modifying phrase, the noun being modified must follow the phrase: Sweeping up the shards of glass, Aunt Sally found the missing key to her jewelry box.

34. Misplaced Modifiers A typical example: Walking to the pawnshop, Bob’s watch dropped into the sewer. • NO CHANGE • Bob’s watch dropped in the sewer • Bob dropped his watch into the sewer • Bob’s dropped his watch into the sewer

35. Misplaced Modifiers A typical example: Walking to the pawnshop, Bob’s watch dropped into the sewer. • NO CHANGE • Bob’s watch dropped in the sewer • Bob dropped his watch into the sewer • Bob’s dropped his watch into the sewer

36. Misplaced Modifiers Construction shifts: Stepping to avoid the large puddle, I carefully tripped and fell. • NO CHANGE • (Place after stepping) • (Place after and) • (Place after fell)

37. Misplaced Modifiers Construction shifts: Stepping to avoid the large puddle, I carefully tripped and fell. • NO CHANGE • (Place after stepping) • (Place after and) • (Place after fell)

38. Misplaced Modifiers Construction shifts: Stepping to avoid the large puddle, I carefully tripped and fell. • NO CHANGE • Stepping carefully over the puddle, I tripped and fell. • Stepping over the puddle I tripped and carefully fell. • Stepping over the puddle, I tripped and fell carefully.

39. Misplaced Modifiers Construction shifts: Stepping to avoid the large puddle, I carefully tripped and fell. • NO CHANGE • Stepping carefully over the puddle, I tripped and fell. • Stepping over the puddle I tripped and carefully fell. • Stepping over the puddle, I tripped and fell carefully.

40. Parallel Construction

41. Parallel Construction There are two major types of parallel construction errors tested on the ACT. They both involve some kind of list.

42. Parallel Construction • You might see a list of verbs: When Tom finally came home, Aunt Sally kissed him, hugged him, and gives him his favorite dessert after dinner.

43. Parallel Construction • You might see a list of verbs: When Tom finally came home, Aunt Sally kissed him, hugged him, and gives him his favorite dessert after dinner.

44. Parallel Construction • You might see a list of verbs: When Tom finally came home, Aunt Sally kissed him, hugged him, and gives him his favorite dessert after dinner.

45. Parallel Construction • You might see a list of verbs: When Tom finally came home, Aunt Sally kissed him, hugged him, and gave him his favorite dessert after dinner.

46. Parallel Construction 2. You might also see a list of nouns: Three explanations for Sid’s locking himself in his room were a desire to do his homework, a sense that he needed to hone his college essays, and hating his brother Tom, who always gets away with murder.

47. Parallel Construction 2. You might also see a list of nouns: Three explanations for Sid’s locking himself in his room were a desire to do his homework, a sense that he needed to hone his college essays, and hating his brother Tom, who always gets away with murder.

48. Parallel Construction 2. You might also see a list of nouns: Three explanations for Sid’s locking himself in his room were a desire to do his homework, a sense that he needed to hone his college essays, and hating his brother Tom, who always gets away with murder.

49. Parallel Construction 2. You might also see a list of nouns: Three explanations for Sid’s locking himself in his room were a desire to do his homework, a sense that he needed to hone his college essays, and a hatred for his brother Tom, who always gets away with murder.

50. Parallel Construction Lists may vary in number of items: To see the beauty of a sunset in Venice is experiencing perfection.