IF YOUR PURPOSE IS TO: USE THIS PUNCTUATION: EXAMPLE: Introduce a colon [:] or comma [,] He said, “This simply won’t do.” quotation (words directly spoken). The American writer Kate Chopin said this of French short story master Guy de Maupassant: “In a direct, simple way, he told us what he saw.” Indicate a quotation marks [“ ”] “To be or not to be?” is one of the most quotation. famous lines from Hamlet. Indicate a question mark [?] Why are so many people fascinated by question. Star Trek? Connect two words hyphen [-] brother-in-law, well-known author that work together as one object or modifier. Separate a word dash [—] I never lie—never. or phrase for emphasis. Separate a word commas [,] The group, led by Max, made its way or phrase that is through the forest. relevant but not essential information. That restaurant, I heard, is going out of business. Separate a word parentheses [( )] There is an exception to every rule or phrase that is (including this one). relevant but secon- dary information. Show possession apostrophe [’] That’s Jane’s car. or contraction. – ACT ENGLISH TEST PRACTICE– 49 Practice 5 Choose the correctly punctuated version of each sentence below. 1. Where are you going in such a hurry. a. NO CHANGE b. Where are you going, in such a hurry. c. Where are you going in such a hurry? d. Where are you going. In such a hurry. 2. Buy these things at the store, bread; lemons; and—milk. f. NO CHANGE g. Buy these things at the store: bread, lemons, and milk. h. Buy these things; at the store, bread, lemons, and milk. j. Buy these things at the store—bread, lemons, and milk. 3. She said: Hello. a. NO CHANGE b. She said, hello. c. She said, “Hello.” d. She said “Hello.” 4. “Can you help me?” she asked. f. NO CHANGE g. Can you help me, she asked? h. “Can you help me? she” asked. j. “Can you help me;” she asked. 5. There are lot’s of accidents on this corner. a. NO CHANGE b. There are lots of accidents on this corner. c. There are lots of accident’s on this corner. d. There are lots of accidents (on this corner). 6. Watch out thats dangerous. f. NO CHANGE g. Watch out, that’s dangerous. h. Watch out—that’s dangerous! j. Watch out; thats dangerous. – ACT ENGLISH TEST PRACTICE– 50 7. That deep-fried dessert is very fattening. a. NO CHANGE b. That deep, fried dessert is very fattening. c. That deep fried dessert; is very fattening. d. That deep fried-dessert is very fattening. 8. She is a high priced consultant. f. NO CHANGE g. She is a high, priced consultant. h. She is a high priced, consultant. j. She is a high-priced consultant. 9. His kids: who are just the same ages as mine are 2 4 and 6 years old. a. NO CHANGE b. His kids, who are just the same ages as mine, are 2, 4, and 6 years old. c. His kids, who are just the same ages as mine: are 2, 4, and 6 years old. d. His kids who are just the same ages as mine are 2, 4, and 6 years old. 10. As the saying goes better late than never. f. NO CHANGE g. As the saying goes; better late than never. h. As the saying goes, “better late than never.” j. “As the saying goes,” better late than never. Answers 1. c. 2. g. 3. c. 4. f. 5. b. 6. h. 7. a. 8. j. 9. b. 10. h. – ACT ENGLISH TEST PRACTICE– 51 COMMA RULES Many ACT grammar questions deal with commas, the most common punctuation mark within sentences. The presence and placement of commas can dramatically affect meaning and can make the difference between clarity and confusion. The chart on pages 48–49 lists four comma uses, but there are several others. Next is a complete list of comma rules. Use a comma: 1. With a coordinating conjunction to separate two complete sentences. Let’s go home now, and then we can make some dinner. I’m a little taller, so it will be easier for me to reach that jar. 2. To set off introductory words, phrases, or clauses. Next Friday, the committee will meet to discuss the proposal. Once upon a time, there was a brave young girl who lived with her brother in the forest. Well, it looks like we’ll be staying home after all. Since it’s going to rain, we should bring our boots. 3. To set off a direct address, interjection, or transitional phrase. Sammy, please put your toys away now. You know, Helen, this is the best apple pie I’ve ever tasted! It was, I think, the best movie I’ve ever seen. Goodness gracious, that’s a fancy car! There was, however, one catch. Jonathan, it turns out, will not be joining us for dinner after all. Sea horses, for example, are unusual in that the males carry the eggs. 4. Between two modifiers that could be replaced by and. The cheetah is a fast, dangerous animal. (Both fast and dangerous modify animal.) The slow, steady rocking of the train put the baby to sleep. (Both slow and steady modify rocking.) – ACT ENGLISH TEST PRACTICE– 52 Incorrect: Denny’s old, stamp collection is priceless. Correct: Denny’s old stamp collection is priceless. (You cannot put “and” between old and stamp; old describes stamp and stamp modifies collec- tion. They do not modify the same noun.) 5. To set off information that is relevant but not essential (non-restrictive). Essential, not set off: The woman who w rote Happ y Moon won an award. (We need this information to know which woman we’re talking about.) Non-essential, set off by commas: The children, exhausted by the trip, went to bed early. (The fact that they were exhausted by the trip is not essential to the sentence.) Essential, not set off: People who smoke too much may get cancer. Non-essential, set off by commas: Many people, such as those who smoke, are at a high risk for cancer. 6. To separate items in a series. The price for the cruise includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and entertainment. The recipe calls for fresh cilantro, chopped onions, diced tomatoes, and lemon juice. 7. To set off most quotations. As a general rule, short quotations are introduced by commas while long quotations (several sentences or more) are introduced by colons. All speech in dialogue should be set off by commas. “Come on,” he said. Emmanuel Kant is famous for the words, “I think, therefore I am.” After he ate a slice, Jerry said, “This is the best pie I’ve ever tasted.” 8. To set off parts of dates, numbers, titles, and addresses. She was born on April 30, 2002. Please print 3,000 copies. Edward Wener, Ph.D. has been contracted to write the book. Please deliver the package to me at 30 Willow Road, Trenton, NJ. – ACT ENGLISH TEST PRACTICE– 53 Practice 6 Part A: Insert commas where necessary. 1. He said “There’s nothing else to say.” 2. I want to change majors but I need to get my advisor’s approval first. 3. Did you notice by the way that she didn’t even say hello? 4. What did you say Louise? 5. There’s one thing however that I forgot to mention. 6. I think he went to Woodson which is a Montessori school last year. 7. The Constitution gives us the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 8. One July 1 1981 I met the woman who would become my wife. 9. We met in Toledo Ohio where she was born. 10. She was a lonely quiet girl. Part B: A common problem in writing is superfluous (unnecessary) commas. Delete any unnecessary commas in the sentences below. 1. Ken Kesey wrote, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which is now a classic. 2. Did you know, that Bob Dylan’s real name, is Bob Zimmerman? 3. I usually run, before I eat breakfast, if possible. 4. The roses are blooming, in the yard, again. 5. I went back-to-school shopping and got, notebooks, paper, and blank disks, for us. 6. The man, who called you yesterday, is on the phone again. 7. John, please give me the money, that you owe me, by Friday. – ACT ENGLISH TEST PRACTICE– 54 . (on this corner). 6. Watch out thats dangerous. f. NO CHANGE g. Watch out, that’s dangerous. h. Watch out—that’s dangerous! j. Watch out; thats dangerous. – ACT ENGLISH TEST PRACTICE– 50 7. That. on April 30 , 2002. Please print 3, 000 copies. Edward Wener, Ph.D. has been contracted to write the book. Please deliver the package to me at 30 Willow Road, Trenton, NJ. – ACT ENGLISH TEST PRACTICE– 53 Practice. “As the saying goes,” better late than never. Answers 1. c. 2. g. 3. c. 4. f. 5. b. 6. h. 7. a. 8. j. 9. b. 10. h. – ACT ENGLISH TEST PRACTICE– 51 COMMA RULES Many ACT grammar questions deal with