Punctuation on ACT Writing

The Rule for All ACT Punctuation Questions: When in Doubt, Leave It Out

For the ACT/SAT

to err on the side of leaving out punctuation.

Only use commas, semicolons, colons, or dashes if you identify a situation that

this example:

The ACT/SAT punctuation

questions is to randomly place a comma or semicolon within a sentence, especially in
sentences in which there are other commas. In this sentence, answer choice D is the
correct answer
needed, you should leave it out.
#1: Surround Non-Restrictive Clauses and Appositives with Commas

-Restrictive Clause ?
A non- .

If you got rid of the clause, the sentence would still make sense, and its meaning

Nate who works as a software engineer majored in computer science.

but if it were removed, the meaning of the sentence would be the same.
There would be less information about Nate, but the sentence still states that he
majored in computer science. This is what the sentence looks like after removing the
non-restrictive clause:

Nate majored in computer science.

?
Restrictive clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence.

meaning of the sentence.

Students who read regularly are prepared for the ACT

ACT

be surrounded by commas.
 People who dislike kale

An important point for the ACT: clauses starting with "which" are always non-
restrictive, while those starting with "that" are always restrictive. This means
that "which" ALWAYS takes a comma and "that" NEVER does:

I love reading books that are full of adventure because they take me away
from my boring life.

,
I love Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone which is full of adventure ,
because it takes me away from my boring life.

What Is an Appositive ?
An appositive is a descriptive .

Like a non-restrictive clause, an appositive can be removed without changing the

meaning of the sentence.

Torsha a fan of celebrity gossip loves watching The Wendy Williams Show.

If we get rid of the appositive, the sentence still has the same meaning:

Torsha loves watching The Wendy Williams Show.

The rule that appositives must be surrounded by commas is one of the most often
tested comma rules on the ACT/SAT.
Where do you think the following sentences need commas?

Her mother a doctor was often late.

Jonah a fifth-grader jumps rope on the playground every day.

Because the only difference in the answer choices is the placement of commas, we know this
question is testing our knowledge of comma rules.

phrase describes Jason Box, and it can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.

All we have to do is apply the rule that appositives must be surrounded by commas.

There is no comma before the appositive in answer choice B.

answer choice D
the end of it.
The correct answer is C.

1.

Jonathan who works hard will ace the ACTs. ( )

Jonathan, who works hard, will ace the ACTs. ( )

2.

Students who work hard will ace the ACTs. ( )

Students, who work hard, will ace the ACTs. ( )

In Example 1, the phrase who works hard does NOT narrow down who we're talking
about. We already know it's just one person Jonathan and he happens to work hard.

In Example 1, the phrase who work hard narrows down the scope of who we're talking
about. Otherwise, the sentence would be talking about ALL students. It's only the
students who work hard who will ace the ACTs.
2: Use Commas After Introductory Phrases or Clauses

Any time a sentence starts with a dependent clause or modifying phrase, it must be
followed by a comma. Here are some examples:

I have to work.

In high school Suzy was the class clown.

Unable to focus because of the loud construction work outside Harry went
to the library to study

In high school, Suzy was the class clown.

Unable to focus because of the loud construction work outside, Harry went to the library to study

Note: When an introductory phrase describes a noun, the noun being modified must come
directly after the comma.
 Living ethic
must put a comma at the end of the phrase.
The correct answer is D.

makes the sentence incorrect.

When an introductory phrase describes a noun, the noun being modified must come directly after the
comma. In this sentence, the phrase is modifying the Harvey Girls.
 Thoughts
Using a comma to separate two complete thoughts creates a grammar error
known as a comma splice
Dorothy failed her test, it was extremely difficult.
The clauses before and after the comma are complete thoughts that could stand alone
as sentences.

There are a few ways to correct a comma splice.

1. You can put a conjunction after the comma:

Dorothy failed her test, but it was extremely difficult.

Sometimes you can find the conjunction without the comma

2. Also, you can put a relative pronoun after the comma:

Dorothy failed her test, which was extremely difficult.

3. Finally, you can use a semicolon or colon to correctly separate two complete thoughts:

Dorothy failed her test; it was extremely difficult.

Dorothy failed her test: it was extremely difficult.
are complete thoughts.
Answer choice C is still a comma splice.

The correct answer is B. A colon comes after a complete thought, and it sets up a list or
explanation. In this sentence, an explanation follows the colon.

the right answer by eliminating wrong answer choices.