Feeling stressed about the ACT English section? That’s completely normal. It can feel like there are a million grammar rules to remember, and the pressure of the exam doesn’t make it any easier. But here is the truth: you don’t have to be a grammar expert to succeed. The ACT English section tests a specific set of rules, and once you know what to look for, you’ll be amazed at how much clearer it all becomes.
We’re here to help you build that confidence. Together, we’ll walk through the most important ACT grammar rules, breaking them down into simple, manageable concepts. You’ll learn how to spot common mistakes, choose the correct answer, and walk into the ACT exam feeling prepared and ready to show what you know.
Key Takeaways
- Focus on the fundamentals, as the ACT English section primarily tests your grasp of core grammar skills like sentence structure and punctuation.
- Mastering the four main types of comma usage will help you correctly answer a significant number of ACT grammar questions.
- Learn to identify and fix common errors such as sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and dangling modifiers.
- Pay close attention to subject-verb agreement and verb tense consistency to avoid simple mistakes.
- Practice with official ACT tests to get a feel for the types of questions and the pacing of the English section.
Understanding the ACT English Section
The ACT English section is designed to measure your understanding of the conventions of standard written English and your rhetorical skills. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that you’ll have 35 minutes to answer. The questions are based on five passages, and you’ll be asked to identify and correct errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and style. The good news? The ACT English test is predictable. It tests the same grammar rules over and over again. By focusing your prep on the most commonly tested concepts, you can significantly improve your score.
The Most Important ACT Grammar Rules
While it might seem like there are endless grammar rules to learn, the ACT English section focuses on a core set of concepts. We’ll break down the most important ones here, giving you the tools you need to tackle the test with confidence.
Sentence Structure
A solid understanding of sentence structure is the foundation for acing the ACT English section. You’ll need to be able to identify a complete sentence and distinguish it from common errors like sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
- Complete Sentence: A complete sentence must have a subject, a verb, and express a complete thought. It must be an independent clause, meaning it can stand on its own.
- Sentence Fragments: These are incomplete sentences that are missing a subject, a verb, or don’t express a complete thought. Often, a dependent clause is mistaken for a complete sentence.
- Run-on Sentence: A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or a conjunction. A common type of run-on is a comma splice, where two independent clauses are joined with only a comma.
To fix a run-on sentence, you can:
- Separate the two independent clauses into two sentences with a period.
- Join the two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
- Join the two independent clauses with a semicolon.
Punctuation Rules
Punctuation is a major part of the ACT English section. Knowing the rules for commas, apostrophes, semicolons, and colons will help you answer a large number of questions correctly.
Comma Rules
Commas are the most frequently tested punctuation mark on the ACT. Here are the four main uses you should know:
- Separating items in a list: Use commas to separate three or more items in a series.
- Joining two independent clauses with a conjunction: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that joins two independent clauses.
- Setting off introductory phrases and clauses: Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause.
- Setting off non-essential information: Use commas to enclose a descriptive phrase or clause that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This is also known as a non-restrictive clause.
Apostrophe Rules
Apostrophes are used to form possessives and contractions.
- Possessives: To form the possessive of a singular noun, add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s). For a plural noun that ends in “s,” add only an apostrophe (s’).
- Contractions: Apostrophes are also used to indicate where letters have been omitted in a contraction (e.g., “it’s” for “it is”).
Semicolon Rules
Semicolons have two primary uses on the ACT:
- Joining two closely related independent clauses: You can use a semicolon to connect two complete sentences that are related in meaning.
- Separating items in a list that contains commas: If you have a list of items and some of the items themselves contain commas, use semicolons to separate the items.
Colon Rules
Colons are used to introduce a list, an explanation, or a quote. The key rule to remember is that a colon must follow an independent clause.
Verbs
Verb questions on the ACT English test usually fall into two categories: subject-verb agreement and verb tense.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The basic rule of subject-verb agreement is that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. The ACT often places prepositional phrases between the subject and verb to create confusion. Always identify the true subject of the sentence to ensure the verb agrees with it.
Verb Tense
Verb tense questions on the ACT require you to ensure that the verbs in a sentence are in the correct tense and are consistent with the surrounding sentences. Pay attention to the context of the passage to determine the correct verb tense. Be familiar with the different verb forms, including the past perfect and present perfect tenses.
Pronouns
Pronoun questions on the ACT test your understanding of pronoun agreement and pronoun case.
Pronoun Agreement
A pronoun must agree with its antecedent (the noun it replaces) in number and gender. A singular pronoun should refer to a singular noun, and a plural pronoun should refer to a plural noun.
Pronoun Case
Pronoun case refers to the form a pronoun takes depending on its function in a sentence.
- Subject Pronouns: (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) are used when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence.
- Object Pronouns: (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) are used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition.
Modifiers
A modifier is a word or phrase that describes another word or phrase. The ACT tests your ability to correctly place modifiers in a sentence.
- Dangling Modifiers: A dangling modifier is a descriptive phrase that does not have a clear word to modify in the sentence. These often appear at the beginning of a sentence.
- Misplaced Modifiers: A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is placed too far from the word it is meant to describe, creating confusion.
Parallel Structure
Parallel structure is the idea that when two or more words, phrases, or clauses are joined in a series, they should have the same grammatical form. This creates a sense of balance and clarity in your writing.
For example:
- Incorrect: “I like swimming, running, and to bike.”
- Correct: “I like swimming, running, and biking.”
Look for lists of items or ideas joined by conjunctions to spot potential parallel structure errors.
How to Improve Your ACT English Score
Improving your ACT English score is all about practice and strategy. Here are a few tips to help you prepare:
- Learn the grammar rules: Focus on the most commonly tested ACT grammar rules. You don’t need to be a grammar expert, but a solid understanding of the fundamentals is key.
- Take practice tests: The best way to prepare for the ACT English section is to take full-length practice tests under timed conditions. This will help you get a feel for the pacing of the test and identify your areas of weakness.
- Analyze your mistakes: When you review your practice tests, don’t just look at the correct answer. Take the time to understand why you made a mistake and what the correct grammar rule is.
- Read the sentence carefully: Don’t just focus on the underlined portion. Read the entire sentence and the surrounding sentences to understand the context.
- Consider all the answer choices: Read all the answer choices before making a decision. Sometimes, more than one choice may seem grammatically correct, but one will be the most clear and concise.
- Sign up for our ACT prep classes: Our ACT test prep students achieve an average 4+ point increase on their ACT scores.
Understanding The ACT Scoring System
Understanding the scoring system can help you set realistic goals. On the ACT English section, you can typically miss 2-3 questions and still earn a perfect score of 36. Missing 5-7 questions usually results in a score around 30-32, while missing 10-12 questions often lands you in the 25-28 range. This means that mastering the core concepts we’ll cover can make a huge difference in your overall score.
You’ve Got This!
We know that preparing for the ACT exam can be a stressful experience, but you don’t have to do it alone. By focusing on the core ACT grammar rules and practicing consistently, you can build the skills and confidence you need to succeed. Remember, the ACT is just one test, and it doesn’t define who you are or what you’re capable of. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to help you achieve your goals and feel proud of your hard work.