English ACT Prep

Sentence Structure

The English test is a 75-question, 45-minute test, covering:

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:

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%)

Sentence Structure

There are four main types of errors in sentence structure:

• Sentence fragments• Run-ons and comma splices• Misplaced modifiers• Parallel construction

Sentence Fragments

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.

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.

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.

Subordinating words:

• When• Where• How • Why• If• As• because

• Although• While• Despite• That• Who• What

Sentence Fragment Type 1

The bride and groom drove away in their car. As the children ran behind, shouting and laughing.

A. NO CHANGEB. While theC. During which theD. The

A dependent clause waiting for a second half that isn’t there:

Sentence Fragment Type 1

The bride and groom drove away in their car. As the children ran behind, shouting and laughing.

A. NO CHANGEB. While theC. During which theD. The

A dependent clause waiting for a second half that isn’t there:

Sentence Fragment Type 2

Although it will always be associated with Shakespeare’s famous literary character. The castle at Elsinore was never home to Hamlet.

A. NO CHANGEB. character, theC. character; theD. character. A

A dependent clause that needs to be connected to the complete sentence before or after it:

Sentence Fragment Type 2

Although it will always be associated with Shakespeare’s famous literary character. The castle at Elsinore was never home to Hamlet.

A. NO CHANGEB. character, theC. character; theD. character. A

A dependent clause that needs to be connected to the complete sentence before or after it:

Comma Splices and Run-ons

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Run-ons

Fix a run-on in the same manner as a comma splice:

Aunt Sally swept up the shards of glass. She was furious.

Comma Splices and Run-ons

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.

A. NO CHANGEB. rattlesnakes. In fact,C. rattlesnakes in factD. rattlesnakes, in fact

A couple of examples:

Comma Splices and Run-ons

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.

A. NO CHANGEB. rattlesnakes. In fact,C. rattlesnakes in factD. rattlesnakes, in fact

A couple of examples:

Comma Splices and Run-ons

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.

A. NO CHANGEB. dormitory, ifC. dormitory: ifD. dormitory; if

A couple of examples:

Comma Splices and Run-ons

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.

A. NO CHANGEB. dormitory, ifC. dormitory: ifD. dormitory; if

A couple of examples:

Misplaced Modifiers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Misplaced Modifiers

Walking to the pawnshop, Bob’s watch dropped into the sewer.

A. NO CHANGEB. Bob’s watch dropped in

the sewerC. Bob dropped his watch

into the sewerD. Bob’s dropped his

watch into the sewer

A typical example:

Misplaced Modifiers

Walking to the pawnshop, Bob’s watch dropped into the sewer.

A. NO CHANGEB. Bob’s watch dropped in

the sewerC. Bob dropped his watch

into the sewerD. Bob’s dropped his

watch into the sewer

A typical example:

Misplaced Modifiers

Stepping to avoid the large puddle, I carefully tripped and fell.

A. NO CHANGEB. (Place after stepping)C. (Place after and)D. (Place after fell)

Construction shifts:

Misplaced Modifiers

Stepping to avoid the large puddle, I carefully tripped and fell.

A. NO CHANGEB. (Place after stepping)C. (Place after and)D. (Place after fell)

Construction shifts:

Misplaced Modifiers

Stepping to avoid the large puddle, I carefully tripped and fell.

A. NO CHANGEB. Stepping carefully over the

puddle, I tripped and fell.C. Stepping over the puddle I

tripped and carefully fell.D. Stepping over the puddle,

I tripped and fell carefully.

Construction shifts:

Misplaced Modifiers

Stepping to avoid the large puddle, I carefully tripped and fell.

A. NO CHANGEB. Stepping carefully over the

puddle, I tripped and fell.C. Stepping over the puddle I

tripped and carefully fell.D. Stepping over the puddle,

I tripped and fell carefully.

Construction shifts:

Parallel Construction

Parallel Construction

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

Parallel Construction

1. 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.

Parallel Construction

1. 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.

Parallel Construction

1. 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.

Parallel Construction

1. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Parallel Construction

Lists may vary in number of items:

To see the beauty of a sunset in Venice is experiencing perfection.

Parallel Construction

Lists may vary in number of items:

To see the beauty of a sunset in Venice is experiencing perfection.

Parallel Construction

Lists may vary in number of items:

To see the beauty of a sunset in Venice is to experience perfection.