ACT English cheat sheet

A paragraph's main idea is usually stated in its topic sentence; other sentences must support that idea, not introduce a new one.

When asked whether to add a sentence, check if it directly supports the paragraph's main point and connects logically to adjacent sentences.

When asked whether to delete a sentence, remove it if it is off-topic, redundant, or contradicts the main idea.

For an essay to be cohesive, each new paragraph should follow logically from the previous one, often using transitional words or phrases.

Transitions must match the relationship between ideas: contrast (however, nevertheless), cause/effect (therefore, consequently), addition (moreover, furthermore), example (for instance, specifically).

The most effective conclusion restates the main idea without introducing new information and often suggests a broader implication.

When evaluating a sentence for conciseness, prefer the shortest version that preserves the original meaning and grammatical correctness.

To determine the purpose of a paragraph, consider its function: introduce, illustrate, compare, contrast, or conclude.

Choose the word that precisely conveys the intended meaning; consider denotation (dictionary definition) and connotation (emotional association).

Avoid redundancy: do not use two words that mean the same thing (e.g., 'return back', 'final outcome').

Maintain consistent tone and style throughout a passage; avoid shifts between formal and informal language unless the passage deliberately does so.

Use the active voice unless the passive voice is clearly more appropriate (e.g., when the doer is unknown or unimportant).

Prefer specific, concrete words over vague, general ones (e.g., 'strolled' instead of 'walked').

Ensure that pronouns have clear and unambiguous antecedents; if a pronoun could refer to more than one noun, revise for clarity.

Avoid wordiness: replace wordy phrases with concise equivalents (e.g., 'due to the fact that' → 'because').

Use transitional adverbs that accurately signal the logical relationship between sentences (e.g., 'however' for contrast, 'therefore' for result).

A subject and its verb must agree in number; ignore prepositional phrases between them (e.g., 'The box of chocolates is').

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when it joins two independent clauses.

Do not use a comma to separate a subject from its verb or to join two independent clauses without a conjunction (comma splice).

Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses without a conjunction, or to separate items in a list that already contain commas.

Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation.

Form the possessive of singular nouns by adding -'s; for plural nouns ending in -s, add only an apostrophe.

Ensure pronouns agree with their antecedents in number and gender; use singular 'they' only when the antecedent is singular and gender-neutral is appropriate.

Use the correct verb tense to maintain consistency and to show the sequence of events; avoid unnecessary shifts in tense.

Place modifiers as close as possible to the word they modify to avoid dangling or misplaced modifiers.