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English Mechanics for ACT

English Mechanics for ACT. Mrs. Barnes. No Change. No change option is okay; in fact, it seems to occur several times on the test. Redundancy. It can always be said in 1 word Redundant - “It was her first initial appearance.” Correct – “It was her first appearance.”. Fragments.

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English Mechanics for ACT

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  1. English Mechanics for ACT Mrs. Barnes

  2. No Change • No change option is okay; in fact, it seems to occur several times on the test.

  3. Redundancy • It can always be said in 1 word • Redundant - “It was her first initial appearance.” • Correct – “It was her first appearance.”

  4. Fragments • ACT will never offer a fragment as an answer choice. • Look for periods in the underlined part. • Look for periods in the choices. • Examples: • Running upright carrying a stick. • The shepherd, who was leading the flock.

  5. How to Choose • When you cannot decide on the right choice, choose the shortest option when confronted with, “What is the best way to say what is meant?” • If the answer options offer varying ways of saying the same thing, choose the least confusing option. (Ref. Workout A)

  6. Periods • Ends complete sentences • Complete sentence - contains both subject and verb as well as a complete thought.

  7. Commas • Place commas after items in a series • The necessary materials are calculators, wooden pencils, and a digital watch. • Place commas after introductory phrases • Whirling to and fro in perfect unison, the dancers floated across the floor.

  8. More Commas • Sets off nonessential parts of sentences. • The Beatles, in my opinion, are the best band. • WRONG: The Beatle, who played the drums, was the last to join the band. • Appositives (renames the subjects) • The detective, the man dressed in the trench coat, cast suspicious glances toward the onlookers.

  9. Even More Commas • Separates independent clauses - must have comma/conjunction combo! • Independent clause = a complete sentence • Conjunctions = and, but, yet, or, nor • Examples: The man shopped for a while,but he did not locate the perfect gift.

  10. Semicolons • Links two related independent clauses without a conjunction • Shaquille is a powerful player; his size and strength make him a formidable obstacle on the court. • WRONG: Shaquille is a powerful player; and his size and strength make him a formidable obstacle on the court.

  11. Semicolons • Separates items in a series if commas are too confusing • I went to Miami, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and San Francisco, California. • Separates two independent clauses if either clause already contains commas. • Hoover Dam, one of the highest dams in the world, was completed in 1936; but it had been envisioned much earlier.

  12. Semicolons • Used before a conjunctive adverb or parenthetical expression such as however, in fact, and therefore. • Pompeii was destroyed in 79 A.D.; however, many relics and human remains were preserved throughout the city.

  13. Colons • Separates two independent clauses when the second clause explains or summarizes the first. • The man did something no one else had done: he jumped off a cliff. • Introduces a list • I have three items: brush, toothpaste, and deodorant. • Introduces a quote related to the clause before it • She comforted herself with an old saying: “This too shall pass.”

  14. Dashes • Used to set off unnecessary information in a sentence or is used to set off an interruption of thought. • The concert – an imitation of the first one – was an overpriced fiasco. • Emphasizes sentence elements • Most people have one thing in common – a love for chocolate.

  15. Parentheses • Also used to set off unnecessary information • Who would have thought that Superman (he calls himself the “man of steel”) would wear tights?

  16. Apostrophes • Shows relationship or ownership (possession) • The child’s toy • The children’s toys • Know it’s versus its • It’s = it is • Its = possessive pronoun

  17. Usage Mistakes • Everyone here should have their books. • Pronoun and antecedent do not agree in number. • Somebody on the girls’ basketball team forgot his bag. • Pronoun and antecedent do not agree in gender. • Take note when pronouns are underlined! • The possibilities for interacting with art, rather than gazing mutely at them, are endless.

  18. Pronouns • “one,” “body,” and “thing” words are always SINGULAR • Both, many, several, few = PLURAL • All, any, none, some, most = Plural or singular depending on usage • All of you are fine students. • All of my soup is gone.

  19. Other Slip-ups • The list of repairs and hours of labor (is/are) too large. • In the middle of the park (stand/stands) two statues.

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