Grammar Cheat Sheet for the ACT

Comma Use
1. Between two sentences that are joined with 2. After long (more than 3 words)
a Coordinating Conjunction:
introductory stuff at the start of a sentence.
(FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
The seniors planned a parade for homecoming, After long hours of hard work, the students felt
but the rain prevented it from taking place.
disappointed and frustrated.
3. To separate unnecessary stuff (not
4. After each item in a series.
essential) from the rest of the sentence.
Jerry, the class president, asked the principal if Jerry promised the principal good weather, full
the parade could be rescheduled.
student participation, and sponsor supervision
for the parade

Pronoun- Antecedent Agreement

1. Pronouns must agree in number and
2. Use a singular pronoun to refer to anybody,
gender with their antecedents (what they refer anyone, anything, each, either, everybody,
to).
everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one,
nothing, one, somebody, someone, or
Each of the girls puts her stuff into the car.
something.
Neither of the girls brought her umbrella.
3. Use a plural pronoun to refer to
both, few, many, and several.

4. Singular Pronouns; I, me, him, his, he, her,

she, it, her, him
Plural Pronouns: we, us, them, they, their

Both of the girls brought their umbrellas.

Subject Verb Agreement

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs;
singular verbs usually end in s.

2. Plural subjects take plural verb; plural

verbs do no usually end in s.

Examples: is, has, was

Examples: are, have, were
3. If there is a phrase or clause between the 4. These words are sometimes used as
subject and the verb, ignore it! Scratch it out subjects and are always singular: anybody,
if you have to. Also, as well as, together with, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody,
and in addition to are compound
everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one,
prepositions, so their objects are not subjects. nothing, one, somebody, someone, and
something.
Example:

The woman with all the dogs walks down my

street.
5. These words are sometimes used as
subjects and are always plural: both, few,
many, and several.
Example:
Both are in question.

Example:
Everybody knows Mr. Jones.
6. When the compound subjects are joined by
or or nor, look at the subject that is closest to
the verb to determine whether the verb is
singular or plural.
Example:
The books or the pen is in the drawer.

7. In the sentences that begin with There and 8. When two or more nouns are connected
Here, the subjects follow the verb.
with and use a plural verb.
Example:
There are many questions.

Example:
She and her friends are at the fair.

Punctuation Rules
Semi-Colons
1. Connect two or more related sentences with semi-colons:
Mary ate toasted bad chicken; she got sick.
2. Simplify a series:
Ben likes big, green apples; smallish, sweet Florida oranges; and toasted, salted
almonds.
3. Use a semi-colon in front of a conjunctive adverb followed by a comma.
James Baldwin wrote many essays; however, he is probably more famous for his
novels.
Common conjunctive adverbs: however, consequently, therefore
Quotation Marks
1. Quotation marks are used for the titles of chapters in books, poems in books, articles in
magazines, episodes of a television show, or song titles from a CD.
My favorite poem is To An Athlete Dying Young by A.E. Housman..
2. Periods and commas go inside quotation marks.
3. Use quotation marks to set off direct quotations.
"When will you be here?" he asked.
4. Use quotation marks to indicate words used ironically, with reservations, or in some
unusual way.
The great march of "progress" has left millions impoverished and hungry.
Hypens
1. Use with two or more words acting as a single modifier for a noun.

He is an all-around athlete. The thirteen-year-old boy was too young to drive.

Dash
1. Serves as a strong comma.
The boys Jim, John, and Jeff left the party early.
Colon
1. Use to introduce series, lists, examples.
The Daily news contains four sections: news, sports, entertainment, and classified
ads.
2. Use between hour and minute and chapter and verse.
Genesis 1:18 5:30pm
3. Used to introduce long quotations.
Capitalization
1. Capitalize North, South, East, and West when contained in the name of a place, but not
when used for giving directions.
We are planning a trip to South America.
I am going to visit my friends in east Arkansas.
2. Capitalize names of specific events and periods of time in history.
I went to the National Council of Teachers of English Conference last week.
We studied the Middle Ages in history last week.
3. Do not capitalize seasons, but do capitalize holidays.
I love skiing in winter. I went skiing for Christmas.
4. Capitalize countries, languages, and nationalities.
This is an expensive French wine. Do you speak Russian? The Germans are
responsible for starting World War II.
5. Capitalize the first word in a quote.
The teacher said, Study tonight because my tests are hard!
6. Capitalize the first word in each line of poetry (unless you are e.e. cummings!)
7. Capitalize titles that come before names, but not after.
Principal Jay Pickering made a statement to the press. Jay Pickering is the principal
of Bryant High School.
Verb Tense Consistency
1. Do not shift from one tense to another if the time frame for each action or state is the
same.
Example:
Incorrect:
I got home late and Mom fusses at me for not calling to let her know where I will be.
past tense, present tense, future tense
Correct:

I got home late and Mom fussed at me for not calling to let her know where I had
been.
Past tense, past tense, past perfect tense
Who/Whom
1. Use the he/him method to decide which word is correct
he = who
him = whom
Example Who/Whom wrote the letter?
He wrote the letter. OR Him wrote the letter. So Who is correct.
Example For who/whom should I vote?
Should I vote for he? OR Should I vote for him? So Whom is correct.
Confusing verbs
1. Lay means to put or to place.
Present lay
Present Participle laying
Past laid
Past Participle (has, had, have) laid
Example:
Will you lay that package on the table for me?
Those books have been laying on your floor for a month!
2. Lie means to rest or to recline or to remain in a lying position
Example:
When I get home, I am going to lie down on the couch.
My children had lain down on the floor to watch the tv when the phone rang.

Grammar Cheat Sheet for the ACT

Comma Use
1. Between two sentences that are joined with 2. After long (more than 3 words)
a Coordinating Conjunction:
introductory stuff at the start of a sentence.
(FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
The seniors planned a parade for homecoming, After long hours of hard work, the students felt
but the rain prevented it from taking place.
disappointed and frustrated.
3. To separate unnecessary stuff (not
4. After each item in a series.
essential) from the rest of the sentence.
Jerry, the class president, asked the principal if Jerry promised the principal good weather, full
the parade could be rescheduled.
student participation, and sponsor supervision
for the parade

Pronoun- Antecedent Agreement

1. Pronouns must agree in number and
2. Use a singular pronoun to refer to anybody,
gender with their antecedents (what they refer anyone, anything, each, either, everybody,
to).
everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one,
nothing, one, somebody, someone, or
Each of the girls puts her stuff into the car.
something.
Neither of the girls brought her umbrella.
3. Use a plural pronoun to refer to
both, few, many, and several.

4. Singular Pronouns; I, me, him, his, he, her,

she, it, her, him
Plural Pronouns: we, us, them, they, their

Both of the girls brought their umbrellas.

Subject Verb Agreement

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs;
singular verbs usually end in s.

2. Plural subjects take plural verb; plural

verbs do no usually end in s.

Examples: is, has, was

Examples: are, have, were
3. If there is a phrase or clause between the 4. These words are sometimes used as
subject and the verb, ignore it! Scratch it out subjects and are always singular: anybody,
if you have to. Also, as well as, together with, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody,
and in addition to are compound
everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one,
prepositions, so their objects are not subjects. nothing, one, somebody, someone, and
something.
Example: