This document provides instruction on punctuation rules for the ACT, focusing on the proper use of commas. It discusses the six primary uses of commas on the ACT: 1) to separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction, 2) to separate items in a series, 3) to separate two or more nonessential adjectives, 4) to set off dependent clauses at the beginning of a sentence, 5) to set off introductory phrases, and 6) to set off nonessential phrases, appositives, and transitional adverbs. For each use of commas, it provides definitions, examples, and explanations of when a comma is necessary or not necessary. It also includes practice questions related to comma usage.

1. 1
POINTS ACT
Test Prep
Punctuation

2. Table of Contents
2
I. Punctuation
II. Grammar and Usage
III. Sentence Structure

3. I. Punctuation
3
A. Commas
B. Dashes
C. Apostrophes
D. Semicolons
E. Colons

4. A. Commas
 Most frequent error on ACT:
misplaced, misused, and missing
commas
4

5. A. Commas
 Most frequent error on ACT:
misplaced, misused, and missing
commas
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
4

6. A. Commas
 Most frequent error on ACT:
misplaced, misused, and missing
commas
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
4

7. A. Commas
 Most frequent error on ACT:
misplaced, misused, and missing
commas
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items
4

8. A. Commas
 Most frequent error on ACT:
misplaced, misused, and missing
commas
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items
3. To separate two or more nonessential adjectives
4

9. A. Commas
 Most frequent error on ACT:
misplaced, misused, and missing
commas
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items
3. To separate two or more nonessential adjectives
4. To set off dependent clauses that begin a sentence
4

10. A. Commas
 Most frequent error on ACT:
misplaced, misused, and missing
commas
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items
3. To separate two or more nonessential adjectives
4. To set off dependent clauses that begin a sentence
5. To set off introductory phrases
4

11. A. Commas
 Most frequent error on ACT:
misplaced, misused, and missing
commas
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items
3. To separate two or more nonessential adjectives
4. To set off dependent clauses that begin a sentence
5. To set off introductory phrases
6. To set off nonessential phrases, appositives, and transitional adverbs
4

12. 1. To separate independent clauses
joined by a conjunction
5
Rule: When a conjunction separates two
independent clauses, a comma must be used!
What is an independent clause?
- This is a group of words that contains a subject
and verb and can stand alone as a sentence.

13. 1. To separate independent clauses
joined by a conjunction
5
Rule: When a conjunction separates two
independent clauses, a comma must be used!
What is an independent clause?
- This is a group of words that contains a subject
and verb and can stand alone as a sentence.
Example:
Jason ran through the forest, and a bear chased him.
Counterexample:
Jason ran through the forest and was chased by a bear.

14. English Passage 1: #1
6

15. English Passage 1: #1
Answer: B
6

16. English Passage 1: #2
7

17. English Passage 1: #2
Answer: D
7

18. 2. To separate a series of items
8
Rule: When there are three or more items in a list (nouns,
verbal phrases, etc.), commas are used to separate the items.
Reminder: Even the second-to-last item needs a comma!

19. 2. To separate a series of items
8
Rule: When there are three or more items in a list (nouns,
verbal phrases, etc.), commas are used to separate the items.
Reminder: Even the second-to-last item needs a comma!
Example:
I like bread, strawberries, and apples.
Example:
Joseph can run, dance, and swim.

20. English Passage 1: #3
9

21. English Passage 1: #3
Answer: C
9

22. 3. To separate two or more
nonessential adjectives
10
Nonessential adjectives: order does not matter
• Comma IS necessary
Essential adjectives: order does matter
• Comma IS NOT necessary

23. 3. To separate two or more
nonessential adjectives
10
Nonessential adjectives: order does not matter
• Comma IS necessary
Essential adjectives: order does matter
• Comma IS NOT necessary
• Yes: use a comma
• No: do not use a comma
Can I change the
order of the
adjectives without
changing meaning?

24. 11
 Nonessential: Joe drives a shiny,
red corvette.

25. 11
 Nonessential: Joe drives a shiny,
red corvette.
 Essential: He stared at the huge
football stadium.

26. English Passage 1: #4
12

27. English Passage 1: #4
Answer: A
12

28. English Passage 1: #5
13

29. English Passage 1: #5
Answer: C
13

30. 4. To set off dependent clauses that
begin a sentence
14
Rule: When a dependent clause occurs at the
beginning of a sentence, use a comma to
separate it from the rest of the sentence!
• Not at the beginning of a sentence? No comma
needed.
What is a dependent clause?
- This is a group of words that contains a subject and/or
verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence.

31. 4. Examples
15
Example:
When the mother bird brings food, the babies all chirp
adorably with their mouths open.
Counterexample:
The babies all chirp adorably with their mouths open
when the mother bird brings food.

32. English Passage 1: #6
16

33. English Passage 1: #6
Answer: A
16

34. 5. To set off introductory phrases
17
Rule: Use a comma to set off introductory phrases.
Prepositional
Phrases
• In 2008, Barack
Obama was
elected as
president. VerbalPhrases
• Waiting for the
meeting to start,
Jason stares into
space.

35. English Passage 1: #7
18

36. English Passage 1: #7
Answer: B
18

37. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
19

38. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
 Nonessential phrase: further
describes a noun but can be
removed from the sentence
without changing the meaning
 Can be found in the middle or
at the end of a sentence
19

39. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
 Nonessential phrase: further
describes a noun but can be
removed from the sentence
without changing the meaning
 Can be found in the middle or
at the end of a sentence
Examples
 Al Capone, the infamous convict,
was put in jail.
 The infamous convict: can be
removed without changing the
meaning  nonessential  needs a
comma
19

40. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
 Nonessential phrase: further
describes a noun but can be
removed from the sentence
without changing the meaning
 Can be found in the middle or
at the end of a sentence
 Essential phrase: serves to
narrow the scope of an
otherwise ambiguous noun by
“providing more information”
Examples
 Al Capone, the infamous convict,
was put in jail.
 The infamous convict: can be
removed without changing the
meaning  nonessential  needs a
comma
19

41. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
 Nonessential phrase: further
describes a noun but can be
removed from the sentence
without changing the meaning
 Can be found in the middle or
at the end of a sentence
 Essential phrase: serves to
narrow the scope of an
otherwise ambiguous noun by
“providing more information”
Examples
 Al Capone, the infamous convict,
was put in jail.
 The infamous convict: can be
removed without changing the
meaning  nonessential  needs a
comma
 The infamous convict Al Capone was
put in jail.
 Al Capone: does change the
meaning AND specifies which
convict  essential  no comma
needed
19

42. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
20

43. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
 Transitional adverbs: indicate a
change in the direction of a
sentence, paragraph, or passage
 Ex: consequently, however,
furthermore, therefore, etc.
20

44. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
 Transitional adverbs: indicate a
change in the direction of a
sentence, paragraph, or passage
 Ex: consequently, however,
furthermore, therefore, etc.
 Rule: Use commas before and
after a transitional adverb when it
occurs in a single independent
clause.
20

45. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
 Transitional adverbs: indicate a
change in the direction of a
sentence, paragraph, or passage
 Ex: consequently, however,
furthermore, therefore, etc.
 Rule: Use commas before and
after a transitional adverb when it
occurs in a single independent
clause.
Examples
 I love to run and play outside. You,
however, do not enjoy the
outdoors at all.
 however: establishes a contrast
between you and I but could be
removed without the sentence
losing meaning
20

46. 6. To set off nonessential phrases,
appositives, and transitional adverbs
 Transitional adverbs: indicate a
change in the direction of a
sentence, paragraph, or passage
 Ex: consequently, however,
furthermore, therefore, etc.
 Rule: Use commas before and
after a transitional adverb when it
occurs in a single independent
clause.
Examples
 I love to run and play outside. You,
however, do not enjoy the
outdoors at all.
 however: establishes a contrast
between you and I but could be
removed without the sentence
losing meaning
 I am going to go to bed. Our
conversation, therefore, must
come to an end now.
 therefore: indicates that we are
drawing this conclusion based
on what was previously stated
20

47. English Passage 1: #8
21

48. English Passage 1: #8
Answer: D
21

49. English Passage 1: #9
22

50. English Passage 1: #9
Answer: D
22

51. Commas – Recap
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
23

52. Commas – Recap
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
23
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction

53. Commas – Recap
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
23
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items

54. Commas – Recap
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
23
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items
3. To separate two or more nonessential adjectives

55. Commas – Recap
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
23
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items
3. To separate two or more nonessential adjectives
4. To set off dependent clauses that begin a sentence

56. Commas – Recap
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
23
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items
3. To separate two or more nonessential adjectives
4. To set off dependent clauses that begin a sentence
5. To set off introductory phrases

57. Commas – Recap
 6 primary uses of commas on ACT:
23
1. To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction
2. To separate a series of items
3. To separate two or more nonessential adjectives
4. To set off dependent clauses that begin a sentence
5. To set off introductory phrases
6. To set off nonessential phrases, appositives, and transitional adverbs

58. I. Punctuation
24
A. Commas
B. Dashes
C. Apostrophes
D. Semicolons
E. Colons

59. Dashes
Non-essential Phrase Point of Emphasis
25

60. Dashes
Non-essential Phrase
 Dashes can be used around a
non-essential phrase instead of
commas
Point of Emphasis
25

61. Dashes
Non-essential Phrase
 Dashes can be used around a
non-essential phrase instead of
commas
 Must have a dash both Before &
After the non-essential phrase
Point of Emphasis
25

62. Dashes
Non-essential Phrase
 Dashes can be used around a
non-essential phrase instead of
commas
 Must have a dash both Before &
After the non-essential phrase
Point of Emphasis
25
Example
Stepping onto the ice for the
first time in his new skates,
Joseph – full of excitement –
slipped and fell.

63. Dashes
Non-essential Phrase
 Dashes can be used around a
non-essential phrase instead of
commas
 Must have a dash both Before &
After the non-essential phrase
Point of Emphasis
 Occasionally, we see a single
dash prior to a point of emphasis
at the end of a sentence instead
of a colon
25
Example
Stepping onto the ice for the
first time in his new skates,
Joseph – full of excitement –
slipped and fell.

64. Dashes
Non-essential Phrase
 Dashes can be used around a
non-essential phrase instead of
commas
 Must have a dash both Before &
After the non-essential phrase
Point of Emphasis
 Occasionally, we see a single
dash prior to a point of emphasis
at the end of a sentence instead
of a colon
25
Example
Stepping onto the ice for the
first time in his new skates,
Joseph – full of excitement –
slipped and fell.
Example
Sometimes there is only one
thing that gets me out of bed in
the morning – the smell of
coffee.

65. English Passage 1: #10
26

66. English Passage 1: #10
Answer: C
26

67. I. Punctuation
27
A. Commas
B. Dashes
C. Apostrophes
D. Semicolons
E. Colons

68. B. Apostrophes – 2 major uses
1. Possession
 Singular Nouns
 Plural Nouns
 Multiple Nouns
 Pronouns
2. Contractions
 Basic Rules
28

69. Possession – Singular
Nouns
29
Rule: A singular noun can be made possessive
by adding an apostrophe followed by an “s.”
+
Leo + ice cream
Leo’s ice
cream

70. Possession – Plural Nouns
30
Rules:
1. A plural noun ending in “s” can be made
possessive by simply adding an apostrophe.
2. A plural noun not ending in “s” can be
made possessive by adding an apostrophe
and an “s”.

71. Possession – Plural Nouns
30
Rules:
1. A plural noun ending in “s” can be made
possessive by simply adding an apostrophe.
2. A plural noun not ending in “s” can be
made possessive by adding an apostrophe
and an “s”.
Example:
The monkeys’ bananas are ripe.
Example:
The men’s group meets at 6:30 pm on Tuesdays.

72. Possession – Multiple Nouns
31
If two or more nouns
share the possession,
they share the
apostrophe (only one
needed)
If they do not share the
possession, each noun
individually requires an
apostrophe (see
example)
Kate and George’s ice cream cone is
delicious. (They are sharing)
Sarah’s and John’s ice cream cones
are delicious.

73. Possession – Pronouns
32
Possessive Pronoun Example
my My cats are happy.
your Yes, your cats are happy.
her Her cats are happy too.
his His cats are happier.
our Our cats are happiest.
your Your cats are very happy.
their Their cats are happy as well.
its Its happiness is certain.
whose Whose cat isn’t happy?
Possession can be shown through pronouns that do not require apostrophes!

74. Apostrophes – Contractions
Basic Reminders
33
It’s/Its
It’s impossible
not to like
puppies.
Its favorite
time of day is
night.
It is  it’s
They’re/Their They’re so
adorable!
Their fur
smells bad
when wet.
They are 
they’re
You’re/Your
Spot, you’re
the cutest
thing ever with
those ears!
Your dog
barks too
loudly.
You are 
you’re
Who’s/Whose
I want the
adorable
puppy who’s
smiling at me!
Whose dog is
that?
Who is 
who’s

75. English Passage 1: #11
34

76. English Passage 1: #11
Answer: B
34

77. English Passage 1: #12
35

78. English Passage 1: #12
Answer: B
35

79. I. Punctuation
36
A. Commas
B. Dashes
C. Apostrophes
D. Semicolons
E. Colons

80. Semicolons with Independent Clauses
No Transitional Adverb With Transitional Adverb
37
A semicolon can be used to combine two related independent clauses.

81. Semicolons with Independent Clauses
No Transitional Adverb
 Just a semicolon is needed
With Transitional Adverb
37
A semicolon can be used to combine two related independent clauses.
Example:
Jerry ate one hot dog; Sarah
ate five.

82. Semicolons with Independent Clauses
No Transitional Adverb
 Just a semicolon is needed
With Transitional Adverb
 If there is a transition between
the first and second independent
clauses, use the following
structure:
37
A semicolon can be used to combine two related independent clauses.
Example:
Jerry ate one hot dog; Sarah
ate five.

83. Semicolons with Independent Clauses
No Transitional Adverb
 Just a semicolon is needed
With Transitional Adverb
 If there is a transition between
the first and second independent
clauses, use the following
structure:
Independent clause; transitional
adverb, independent clause.
37
A semicolon can be used to combine two related independent clauses.
Example:
Jerry ate one hot dog; Sarah
ate five.

84. Semicolons with Independent Clauses
No Transitional Adverb
 Just a semicolon is needed
With Transitional Adverb
 If there is a transition between
the first and second independent
clauses, use the following
structure:
Independent clause; transitional
adverb, independent clause.
 Transitional adverbs:
consequently, however,
furthermore, therefore, etc.
37
A semicolon can be used to combine two related independent clauses.
Example:
Jerry ate one hot dog; Sarah
ate five.

85. Semicolons with Independent Clauses
No Transitional Adverb
 Just a semicolon is needed
With Transitional Adverb
 If there is a transition between
the first and second independent
clauses, use the following
structure:
Independent clause; transitional
adverb, independent clause.
 Transitional adverbs:
consequently, however,
furthermore, therefore, etc.
37
A semicolon can be used to combine two related independent clauses.
Example:
Jerry ate one hot dog; Sarah
ate five.
Example:
There are many reasons why State College is a good
school; however, Central University is much better.

86. English Passage 1: #13
38

87. English Passage 1: #13
Answer: D
38

88. English Passage 1: #14
39

89. English Passage 1: #14
Answer: D
39

90. I. Punctuation
40
A. Commas
B. Dashes
C. Apostrophes
D. Semicolons
E. Colons

91. The Golden Rules of Colons
41

92. The Golden Rules of Colons
ONLY use after
independent clauses
 If a colon appears, first
ask yourself the following
question: “Is the group of
words that precedes the
colon a sentence?”
 Yes – then it’s possible
that a colon is correct
 No – you may not use a
colon
41

93. The Golden Rules of Colons
ONLY use after
independent clauses
 If a colon appears, first
ask yourself the following
question: “Is the group of
words that precedes the
colon a sentence?”
 Yes – then it’s possible
that a colon is correct
 No – you may not use a
colon
 Colons can be used to introduce a
1. List
2. Explanation
3. Example
4. Short Phrase
5. Quotation
41

94. The Golden Rules of Colons
ONLY use after
independent clauses
 If a colon appears, first
ask yourself the following
question: “Is the group of
words that precedes the
colon a sentence?”
 Yes – then it’s possible
that a colon is correct
 No – you may not use a
colon
 Colons can be used to introduce a
1. List
2. Explanation
3. Example
4. Short Phrase
5. Quotation
41
Example:
I went to the store to buy all of my
favorite foods: chocolate,
strawberries, and ice cream.
Example:
It is so nice outside: the sun has
been out for hours!

95. English Passage 1: #15
42

96. English Passage 1: #15
Answer: D
42