ACT English Rules/Reminders with complete solutions
Introductory phrase = Comma - ✔✔Use a comma when it separates introductory words from
rest of sentence
Ex. After seven weeks of studying, I raised my ACT score by five points.
BTW (by the way) Phrases = comma hug - ✔✔Use commas to set off words or phrases that are
nonessential to the integrity of the sentence...oh, by the way
FANBOYS - ✔✔For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Independent, (FANBOYS) Independant - ✔✔Use comma when it separates 2 independent
clauses and you see either for, and nor, but, yet, so.
Ex. I'm thinking of going to Georgetown, but I enjoyed visiting U of A.
Independent (FANBOYS) Dependent - ✔✔= No Comma used
Ex. Mike was the only person on the scene and tried to help the injured passenger.
Lists or series and commas - ✔✔= Comma
How could you dump me, tell Julie you love her, go to prom with her, and then now tell me you
love me?
"and" between adjectives - ✔✔= Comma
, Ex:She had an expensive (and) pretty (and) revealing yellow poka-dot bikini.
she had an expensive, pretty, revealing, yellow poka-dot bikini.
-ing phrase at the end of a sentence - ✔✔=Comma
ex: Barbara did well, considering she did not study at all
Independent ; Independant - ✔✔Use a semicolon when it seperates two independant clauses and
you DO NOT SEE FANBOYS
Ex. I'm thinking of going to Georgetown; D.C. is an ideal place for me.
Independent ; however , Independent - ✔✔Use a semicolon and comma when you see...
thus,furthermore,however,moreover,therefore,nevertheless BETWEEN TWO independent
clauses.
Ex. I like pick up trucks; however, they are not practical in NY.
singular pronouns - ✔✔each, everyone, every one, anyone, anybody, someone, either, neither
singular words - ✔✔dollar, years, decades, civics, news, measles, mathematics, group, team,
committee, class, family
comma splice - ✔✔two independent clauses spliced together using a comma, A sentence error.
Incorrectly joining two sentences together with a comma. She ran to the store, she purchased
eggs.
Introductory phrase = Comma - ✔✔Use a comma when it separates introductory words from
rest of sentence
Ex. After seven weeks of studying, I raised my ACT score by five points.
BTW (by the way) Phrases = comma hug - ✔✔Use commas to set off words or phrases that are
nonessential to the integrity of the sentence...oh, by the way
FANBOYS - ✔✔For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Independent, (FANBOYS) Independant - ✔✔Use comma when it separates 2 independent
clauses and you see either for, and nor, but, yet, so.
Ex. I'm thinking of going to Georgetown, but I enjoyed visiting U of A.
Independent (FANBOYS) Dependent - ✔✔= No Comma used
Ex. Mike was the only person on the scene and tried to help the injured passenger.
Lists or series and commas - ✔✔= Comma
How could you dump me, tell Julie you love her, go to prom with her, and then now tell me you
love me?
"and" between adjectives - ✔✔= Comma
, Ex:She had an expensive (and) pretty (and) revealing yellow poka-dot bikini.
she had an expensive, pretty, revealing, yellow poka-dot bikini.
-ing phrase at the end of a sentence - ✔✔=Comma
ex: Barbara did well, considering she did not study at all
Independent ; Independant - ✔✔Use a semicolon when it seperates two independant clauses and
you DO NOT SEE FANBOYS
Ex. I'm thinking of going to Georgetown; D.C. is an ideal place for me.
Independent ; however , Independent - ✔✔Use a semicolon and comma when you see...
thus,furthermore,however,moreover,therefore,nevertheless BETWEEN TWO independent
clauses.
Ex. I like pick up trucks; however, they are not practical in NY.
singular pronouns - ✔✔each, everyone, every one, anyone, anybody, someone, either, neither
singular words - ✔✔dollar, years, decades, civics, news, measles, mathematics, group, team,
committee, class, family
comma splice - ✔✔two independent clauses spliced together using a comma, A sentence error.
Incorrectly joining two sentences together with a comma. She ran to the store, she purchased
eggs.
