Most English speakers tend to overlook the value of the basics when it comes to test-taking, especially with English and writing. But in reality, they pay close attention to these common rules.
When preparing for the ACT, you may want to start with your foundation. This way, you can breeze through the rest like a natural.
But where do you begin? Here are a few ACT grammar tips you want to keep in mind.
Avoid Fragments
As much as possible, refrain from writing run-ons or fragments. It’s important to remember that the length of a sentence doesn’t matter as much as long as it contains all the necessary components. It includes a subject, predicate, and proper punctuation.
Place Commas Before Prepositions
A quick test-taking tip is to remember that placing a comma before a preposition is considered wrong, even more so when adding one before it. If you come across a question or portion that appears this way, it simply means it’s a clear mistake.
Stick to Short Sentences
A short but concise sentence is favorable over a long one with a messy thought. You want to focus on providing clear information in as few words as possible. Not only does it make it easier to understand, but it also eliminates unnecessary words.
Look Out for Dangling Modifiers
A dangling modifier refers to a word or phrase addressing something not explicitly stated in the sentence. It’s important to look into context and ensure every sentence has a clear idea. Otherwise, dangling modifiers simply lose purpose and appear unnecessary.
Always Consider Subject-Verb Agreements
The ACT tends to separate verbs and subjects as an attempt to throw you off. So, a quick tip is to identify them before you decide on your answer. Be sure the verb form matches the subject and the tenses agree with one another.
You can also apply this when you’re working on a strategy for the reading section of the ACT to help you go through everything smoothly.
Semicolons Join Two Thoughts
In a sentence, you can think of a semicolon like a period. But instead of separating two thoughts, it brings them together.
With this in mind, remember that a semicolon is in the right place when you replace it with a period and it creates two separate sentences. Otherwise, it’s not the right punctuation to use.
Follow Consistent Verb Tenses
It’s common for people to pay less attention to verb consistency when they get lost in their thoughts. However, it’s one of the crucial parts of grammar, especially during a test.
If you’re working on a writing test, you want to go through all the verbs to ensure everything is consistent.
Consider These ACT Grammar Tips Before the Test Day
Breaking down the basic ACT grammar tips can help prepare you for the testing day more than it looks. You can apply these not only during the English section but also throughout the entire test, especially the reading and writing portions. Moreover, it helps you improve your overall skill with the language in the long run!
