Understanding the Need-to-Know Rules of Grammar

What is a Restrictive Clause?

• A clause that provides essential information about the noun it modifies.

• A clause that can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.

• A clause that always starts with a conjunction.

• A clause that is always at the beginning of a sentence.

Answer explanation

A restrictive clause is essential for understanding the noun it modifies, meaning it cannot be removed without altering the sentence's meaning. This distinguishes it from non-restrictive clauses, which provide additional, non-essential information.

What is an appositive?

Answer explanation

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or clarifies another noun next to it. For example, in "My brother, a skilled musician, plays guitar," "a skilled musician" is the appositive that provides more information about "my brother."

Is it correct to put a comma after a preposition on the ACT?

Answer explanation

No, it is not correct to put a comma after a preposition on the ACT. Prepositions should be followed directly by their objects without a comma, as it disrupts the flow of the sentence.

What is a common error when separating two independent clauses with a comma?

Answer explanation

A common error is using a comma to separate two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. This creates a comma splice, which is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use a semicolon or add a conjunction.

Identify the redundancy in the following sentence: 'I quickly finished the test in a rapid manner.'

• quickly

• finished

• test

• rapid manner

Answer explanation

The redundancy in the sentence arises from 'quickly' and 'rapid manner,' both indicating speed. Using both is unnecessary, as one suffices to convey the idea of finishing the test quickly.

What is the correct placement for modifiers according to the general rule?

• Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the words they modify.

• Modifiers should always be placed at the beginning of a sentence.

• Modifiers should be placed at the end of a sentence.

• Modifiers should be placed randomly in a sentence.

Answer explanation

The correct placement for modifiers is to position them as close as possible to the words they modify. This ensures clarity and avoids confusion in the sentence structure.

In the sentence 'George broke the plate in the kitchen that his mom bought on their vacation,' what is the misplaced modifier?

• the plate

• in the kitchen

• that his mom bought on their vacation

• George

Answer explanation

The misplaced modifier is 'that his mom bought on their vacation' because it incorrectly suggests that the kitchen was bought on vacation, rather than the plate.

Choose the correct sentence: 'Natalie works in fashion. She liked keeping up with the latest style trends.' or 'Natalie works in fashion. She likes keeping up with the latest style trends.'

• Natalie works in fashion. She liked keeping up with the latest style trends.

• Natalie works in fashion. She likes keeping up with the latest style trends.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Natalie works in fashion. She likes keeping up with the latest style trends.' because 'likes' indicates her current ongoing interest, while 'liked' suggests a past interest that may no longer be relevant.

Fill in the blank with the correct word: The committee chose not to defend ___ decision.

• its

• their

• his

• her

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'its' because 'committee' is a singular noun, and 'its' is the appropriate possessive pronoun to refer to a singular entity. 'Their', 'his', and 'her' do not fit the context.

Identify the error in the following sentence: You decided reading this article.

• The gerund 'reading' should be changed to the infinitive 'to read'.

• The word 'decided' should be changed to 'decide'.

• The article 'this' should be changed to 'that'.

• The sentence should start with 'I' instead of 'You'.

Answer explanation

The error in the sentence is that 'reading' is incorrectly used as a gerund. It should be changed to the infinitive form 'to read' to correctly follow the verb 'decided', which requires an infinitive.