Summary ACT English rules Complete Solutions Verified
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.
, who
refers to the subject of the sentence
Johnny, who is 5 years old, loves to sing
who loves me?
whom
refers to the object of the sentence
Whom do you love?
Whom am I speaking with?
I
Use "I" when you are the subject
Tim and I went to the mall.
Me
use "me" when you are the object
Sarah woke up my dog and me.
than I
Use I after the word "than" if the pronoun is being compared to the SUBJECT of a verb.
Find example???
than Me
Use me after the word "than" if the pronoun is being compared to the OBJECT of a
verb. Need example. He is smarter than me???
Preposition +me
use me when it follows a preposition. He got the cookies from me.
linking verb + I
Use I when it follows a linking verb such as is
Contrast conjunctions
but, yet, although, even though, however, nontheless, never the less, or yet
continuation conjunctions
and, because, since, finally, furthermore, more over, since, so, thus, therefore
Use Semicolon when CONJUNCTION IS MISSING
-You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.
Commas and introductory words as Interupters (exception to rule)
-We ask, therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.
Explanation: In this sentence, "therefore" is not introducing an independent clause so it
is an interrupter. Use commas to surround interrupters.
Use either a semicolon or a comma before introductory words such as "namely,
however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., for instance" WHEN THEY
INTRODUCE A LIST following a complete sentence. Use a comma AFTER the
introductory word.
CORRECT-The American flag has three colors; namely, red, white, and blue.
You will want to bring many backpacking items; for example, sleeping bags, pans, and
warm clothing.
ALSO CORRECT-The American flag has three colors, namely, red, white, and blue.
-You will want to bring many backpacking items, for example, sleeping bags, pans, and
warm clothing.
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.
, who
refers to the subject of the sentence
Johnny, who is 5 years old, loves to sing
who loves me?
whom
refers to the object of the sentence
Whom do you love?
Whom am I speaking with?
I
Use "I" when you are the subject
Tim and I went to the mall.
Me
use "me" when you are the object
Sarah woke up my dog and me.
than I
Use I after the word "than" if the pronoun is being compared to the SUBJECT of a verb.
Find example???
than Me
Use me after the word "than" if the pronoun is being compared to the OBJECT of a
verb. Need example. He is smarter than me???
Preposition +me
use me when it follows a preposition. He got the cookies from me.
linking verb + I
Use I when it follows a linking verb such as is
Contrast conjunctions
but, yet, although, even though, however, nontheless, never the less, or yet
continuation conjunctions
and, because, since, finally, furthermore, more over, since, so, thus, therefore
Use Semicolon when CONJUNCTION IS MISSING
-You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.
Commas and introductory words as Interupters (exception to rule)
-We ask, therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.
Explanation: In this sentence, "therefore" is not introducing an independent clause so it
is an interrupter. Use commas to surround interrupters.
Use either a semicolon or a comma before introductory words such as "namely,
however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., for instance" WHEN THEY
INTRODUCE A LIST following a complete sentence. Use a comma AFTER the
introductory word.
CORRECT-The American flag has three colors; namely, red, white, and blue.
You will want to bring many backpacking items; for example, sleeping bags, pans, and
warm clothing.
ALSO CORRECT-The American flag has three colors, namely, red, white, and blue.
-You will want to bring many backpacking items, for example, sleeping bags, pans, and
warm clothing.
