The 3 Trickiest ACT® Punctuation Rules All Students Need to Know
Punctuation is a big part of the ACT® English test. Often, test takers are faced with multiple-choice answers that include what appear to be only subtle differences - punctuation substitutions and/or marks in slightly different positions. In the end, there is always only one truly correct answer. Understanding the nuances of punctuation marks and their usage should be a key component of any test-prep efforts for the ACT® English test.
Here now are 3 conventions of punctuation usage that are both the trickiest and some of the most common on the ACT®. Be sure your students know the rules to give them the highest possible chances for test-day success.
1. How to Use Punctuation to Correct or Connect Complete Clauses
Proper punctuation is essential for the connection of complete clauses.
To refresh, a complete clause is an idea or a statement that can stand alone. In order to be a complete clause, a sentence must have three things: a subject, a verb, and exist as a fully expressed idea.
That said, let’s take a look at three punctuation marks that can be used to correct or connect complete causes.
Period - The period is the full stop of the punctuation family. It is, more often than not, the best way to correct a run-on sentence. A period placed between two separate sentences ― after the first complete clause, but before the start of the second complete clause ― avoids a long and wordy run-on sentence.
Semicolon - The semicolon is the most frequently tested punctuation mark on the ACT® English test.
The semicolon is typically used to separate two complete clauses that are also related in both meaning and grammatical form. Basically, any two sentences that should be connected by a semicolon are corresponding, grammatically complete sentences that make more sense to the reader when joined together.
Ex. She ate all of the appetizers before the guests arrived; now I need to go buy more!
Since a semicolon must have a complete clause on either side of it, semicolons are interchangeable with periods. This means 2 things when the semicolon is being tested on the ACT® English section:
A semicolon is only correct when used to connect complete clauses if it can be replaced with a period.
Students will never be asked to choose between a semicolon and a period in the same set of answer choices.
It is important to remember that a semicolon is not used if either of the clauses being connected are incomplete.
If there are, in fact, two complete clauses and the relation between the two complete clauses is evident, then a semicolon should always be used to connect them.
Comma and appropriate conjunction - The comma is, by far, the most important punctuation mark on the ACT® English test. Students need to know the rules for using commas and watch out for these tricky little marks on test day.
There are 2 methods for combining sentences using a comma:
With a FANBOYS conjunction (And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So) joining two complete clauses.
Alone, separating two complete clauses.
Ex. We understand that you’re tired, Grandma, but we promise that this is the last time we make you dance the Hokey-Pokey.
Ex. As an avid bird watcher, Keith was overwhelmed when he first encountered the 11-foot wingspan of the wandering albatross.
Think of it this way, the comma is really used to help readers avoid misunderstanding the structure and pacing of a sentence. A comma signifies to the reader that a complete clause has ended, and the conjunction indicates another complete clause has begun.
2. The Right and Wrong Ways to Use a Colon
Despite not being the most often used form of punctuation, the colon and its proper use are pretty simple.
There are just 3 acceptable uses for the colon:
After a complete clause to introduce a list of items
After a complete clause in order to elaborate
To introduce a quotation
The most important thing to remember is that a colon must come after a complete clause no matter whether you’re introducing a list, providing an explanation, or introducing a quote. If the colon is replaced with a period and the remainder of the sentence cut, the reader would still be left with a complete sentence. A colon simply allows a writer to offer further context to a complete clause, while giving purpose to the words that follow.
Ex. Here’s my new breakfast routine: a bowl of oatmeal, an English muffin, a slice of cantaloupe, and a cup of coffee.
Ex. There are only three types of weather here: rain, fog, and snow.
Ex. Nelson Mandela said it best: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
As previously noted with semicolons and periods, colons and periods are sometimes interchangeable and can be used to separate or connect two complete clauses (like in the last example above). Again, what that means for your students is that in these situations, they will not be asked to choose between multiple acceptable marks on the ACT® English test.
That said, there are tricks pertaining to colon usage that do appear. To help students avoid those traps, we’ve provided some helpful tips.
A colon cannot be used:
unless it follows a complete clause AND introduces a list, an explanation, or a quotation.
between a verb and its object or complement.
between a preposition and its object.
after phrases like “including,” “for example,” or “such as.”
In the end, a colon can only be used correctly in three different ways. If your students internalize them, they'll knock out any colon questions that ACT® throws their way.
3. The Two Ways Dashes Appear on the ACT®
When it comes to the proper use of the em dash (not to be confused with its doppelgänger the hyphen), students will only be tested on 2 of its uses:
To set off a nonessential clause (just as a comma could).
To introduce a list or an explanation (just as a colon could).
Using dashes to set off nonessential clauses is typically how students are tested on the ACT® English section.
Nonessential clauses can be set off by dashes to separate the extraneous information from the main idea and complete clause.
Think of it this way, dashes are used to interrupt ― for dramatic pause ― a complete clause and inject an attention-grabbing phrase. The information inside of the dashes is always nonessential ― meaning it cannot be the subject of the sentence. If you can remove the information set off by dashes and still have a complete clause, the dashes are being used correctly.
Ex. That acrobatic act ― boy, was that sick ― was the most incredible display of human feats I have ever witnessed!
When using dashes to introduce a list or an explanation, it’s important to remind students that there must be an independent clause before the em dash. In this fashion, dashes are used to tack on information that emphasizes or explains the preceding complete clause.
Ex. We went to the store for three things ― milk, eggs, and shenanigans.
Ex. My sister and I talk for at least two hours every day ― we both have a lot of time on our hands.
It is important to remind your students that dashes and commas cannot be mixed and matched; they must stick together when used in pairs. If you decide to set off a nonessential clause with a dash, you must end that clause with a dash before finishing the sentence, and the same goes for commas.
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