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Punctuation

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you decide between its and it's, a singular and plural possessive, and a possessive and a plain plural on the ACT?

Apostrophes and possessives on ACT English: using an apostrophe for possession (singular adds 's, plural ending in s adds just an apostrophe) and for contractions, distinguishing its from it's and whose from who's, and rejecting the apostrophe in a plain plural that shows no possession.
A focused answer to apostrophes on ACT English: forming singular and plural possessives, using apostrophes for contractions, telling its from it's and whose from who's, and rejecting the stray apostrophe in a plain plural, with a routine for choosing the right form in an underlined portion.
9 min answer →

How do you decide between a colon and a semicolon on the ACT, and what must come before each one?

Colons and semicolons on ACT English: the semicolon joins two independent clauses (or separates complex list items), the colon introduces a list, explanation, or example after a complete clause, and the rule that both require a complete independent clause before them, with the contrast to a comma.
A focused answer to colons and semicolons on ACT English: the semicolon links two independent clauses, the colon introduces a list, explanation, or example after a complete clause, both need a full independent clause before them, and how each differs from a comma, with a routine for choosing the right mark.
9 min answer →

When does the ACT require a comma, and just as importantly, when does it test you by adding a comma that should not be there?

Commas and unnecessary commas on ACT English: the four jobs commas do (separating items in a series, setting off nonessential elements, following introductory elements, and joining clauses with a coordinating conjunction), and recognizing the unnecessary commas the ACT inserts between a subject and verb or around essential information.
A focused answer to commas on ACT English: the four jobs a comma does (series, nonessential elements, introductory elements, joining clauses with a coordinating conjunction) and the unnecessary commas the test plants, such as a comma between a subject and its verb or around essential information, with a routine for deciding.
9 min answer →

What recurring punctuation traps does the ACT use across commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes, and what single habit defends against most of them?

Common punctuation traps on ACT English: the deliberate errors the test reuses (a comma splitting a subject and verb, a comma splice, a colon after an incomplete clause, mismatched paired marks, and the strategy of choosing the option with the fewest unjustified marks), and a unifying when-in-doubt-leave-it-out habit.
A focused answer to the recurring punctuation traps on ACT English: the subject-verb comma, the comma splice, the colon after an incomplete clause, mismatched paired marks, and over-punctuation, plus the unifying habit of choosing the option that uses no unjustified mark, with worked diagnosis.
9 min answer →

How do dashes and parentheses set off extra information on the ACT, and why must a dash or parenthesis match its partner?

Dashes and parentheses on ACT English: using a pair of dashes or parentheses (or a pair of commas) to set off a nonessential element, the matching-pair rule that you cannot open with a dash and close with a comma, and using a single dash to introduce an explanation or list after a complete clause.
A focused answer to dashes and parentheses on ACT English: setting off nonessential information with a matching pair of dashes, parentheses, or commas, the rule that the opening and closing marks must match, and using a single dash like a colon to introduce an explanation or list after a complete clause.
9 min answer →

How do you choose end punctuation on the ACT, including when a sentence that contains a question word still ends with a period?

End punctuation and question marks on ACT English: ending a statement with a period, a direct question with a question mark, and recognizing that an indirect question (a statement that reports a question) ends with a period, not a question mark, plus avoiding stray question marks inside statements.
A focused answer to end punctuation on ACT English: a period ends a statement, a question mark ends a direct question, and an indirect question (a statement that reports a question, often with whether or if) ends with a period, with a routine for telling a real question from a reported one in an underlined portion.
9 min answer →