Some ACT Notes and Information

  1. The ACT does not penalize wrong answers. The ACT counts only the number of correct answers.
  2. If an answer is not known, mark the question, and move on so that as many questions as possible are answered. As time permits, return to the unanswered ones.
  3. Syntax is a frequent test item. Syntax is the arrangement of words within a sentence (place modifiers and phrases in the proper order.) Example: I learned something important about taking care of my family the other day. Rewrite to read that I learned something important the other day about taking care of my family.
  4. Idioms are also frequently used. An idiom is the usual phrasing of terms. Example: My classmate sat across the aisle from me is correct. To say that my classmate sat across the aisle with me is incorrect.
  5. The shortest answer is often the best choice. The shortest answer is a means of eliminating redundancy and verbosity. Example: At the present time, we are currently experiencing a snow storm. Rewrite to read that we are currently experiencing a snow storm.
  6. Omit is the shortest answer. If in doubt, read the underlined material and determine if the sentence gives a complete thought without the underlined information. (placing a finger over the underlined material and reading the sentence without that information can help determine if the shortest answer is the best choice.) Be very mindful of this strategy since it is one of the most tested items on the test.
  7. The shortest answer is not the best choice when the question asks for detail or clarity. However, be alert to the answer that gives the most detail in the fewest words. The active voice should be chosen when given a choice between active and passive voice.
  8. The comma is the most tested item on the English section of the ACT. Learn all comma rules, but know that the comma is most often tested on the ACT through non-essential information- information that can be deleted without changing the basic meaning of a sentence. Example: My city, located in south central Kentucky, just acquired a minor league baseball team. (located in south central KY can be removed without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.)
  9. Note that if non-essential information begins with a comma, it must end with a comma. Also be mindful that a dash may be used to replace a comma when emphasis is needed. If a clause begins with a dash, it must end with a dash. The same is true of brackets and parenthesis.
  10. Use a comma with the word which to set off non-essential information, but do not use a comma with the word that.
  11. Be alert to subject-verb agreement. The ACT will often give a plural subject and a singular verb. (The girls was to have been home by midnight.) Note also that all nouns and pronouns must agree in number. (Incorrect: A child should know how to spell their name before entering grade school.) A child is singular and their should be changed to his/her.
  12. Another favorite trick of the ACT is to begin a sentence with the word each, followed by the preposition of and a plural object of the preposition. (Each of the girls wore their new dresses to the prom is incorrect.) Note that each, not girls, is the subject of the sentence and that each is singular and requires that all other aspects of the sentence must be singular. (Each of the girls wore her new dress to the prom.)
  13. Be aware that verbs ending in “ing” are not always verbs. Verbs ending in “ing” are verbs only when used with a helping verb. Examples: Laughing makes the heart healthier. (Laughing is the subject of the sentence and is used as a noun (gerund)). The laughing child almost choked on his ice cream sandwich. (laughing modifies the word child and is used as an adjective (participle)). (The world is laughing at me. (is laughing shows action and is used as a verb)).
  1. The possessive case precedes a verb ending in “ing”. His knowing what to do in an emergency saved the lives of several people. Him knowing what to do in an emergency saved the lives of many people is incorrect. The use of the possessive case with an “ing” word is a little known rule and is often found on the ACT to determine levels of sophistication in writing.
  2. The word to followed by a verb is an infinitive and no word is to be placed between the word to and the verb that follows it. ( I hope to really do well on the ACT is incorrect. I hope to do really well on the ACT is correct.)
  3. Know the spelling of its and it’s. This item will likely be tested two or three times.
  4. Know the correct spelling/use of their, there, and they’re. (People have “eyes” so when referring to people use their. They’re can be read as they are, and there can be used to point to something or as an introduction to a thought to be demonstrated or pointed out.)
  5. Who refers to people and that refers to things. (The person who won the Nobel prize is now famous.) (The team that won the state championship is very happy.)
  6. Who and whom. Usually, if the sentence can be read without the word who or whom, whom is the correct choice. (Example: The person whom I thought was honest stole my wallet. The word whom can be eliminated without changing the basic meaning of the sentence. Example: The person who stole my wallet was arrested would lack meaning without the word who.)
  7. Lay and set each requires a direct object. Example: Lay your book on the desk tells what to lay. Set your luggage on the front porch tells what to set.
  8. Lie and sit show rest or reclining. Example: The books are lying (resting) on the desk. My luggage is sitting (resting) on the front porch.
  9. Note that the past tense of the verb lie is lay and can cause confusion on the Act. Just remember that things that rest or recline use the verb lie, and its tenses lay, or have, has, had lain. If lay is the past tense of the verb lie then a direct object is not needed. (Today I will lie down. Yesterday I lay down. Many times I have lain down.)
  10. Like is either a preposition or a verb. If a full clause is used, then some form of as is needed. (Karen looks as though she could use a good meal, a haircut, and some new clothes.)
  11. A semicolon is used to replace a period or to separate words in a lengthy series of items. Note that semicolons, colons, and commas are frequently tested as splices- using them where not needed.
  12. A colon is used following a full clause and should be used only once in a sentence. A colon should not follow a verb.
  13. Person is to be maintained throughout the sentence. If a sentence begins with the word you, stick with that word. The ACT will begin with you and change to one, so be alert. (If you desire wealth, then one must work for a living is incorrect. Do not shift from you to one and vice versa.)
  14. Tense is also to be maintained. Tense shift can be difficult to determine, but always be mindful of the tense at the beginning of a passage and then stick with that tense unless some transition is given to justify a change.
  15. She and He are subjects. Him and her are objects. (She and I will go to the movie. I will go to the movie with him and her.)
  16. Fewis used when things can be counted; less is used in a more general term. Ten items or less is incorrect.
  17. Between you and I is incorrect. Between you and me is the correct term.
  18. Reason why is redundant. Use only reason. Whether or not is redundant; use only whether.
  19. Different than is never correct; use different from.