ACT Prep English. Comparisons The items being compared in a sentence must be able to be logically compared Today, life expectancies of both men and.

ACT PrepACT Prep

EnglishEnglish

ComparisonsComparisons

The items being compared in a sentence The items being compared in a sentence must be able to be logically comparedmust be able to be logically compared Today, Today, life expectancieslife expectancies of both men and of both men and

women are much higher compared to women are much higher compared to the turn the turn of the centuryof the century when living conditions were when living conditions were much harsher. much harsher.

These are two dissimilar conceptsThese are two dissimilar concepts• Should read: compared to Should read: compared to those ofthose of the turn of the the turn of the

centuriescenturies

Sequence and Verb TenseSequence and Verb Tense

Verb tenses should be consistent and Verb tenses should be consistent and show an accurate time sequenceshow an accurate time sequence As soon as Linda finished writing her As soon as Linda finished writing her

dissertation, she will take a vacation.dissertation, she will take a vacation. A recent study shows that many mothers re-A recent study shows that many mothers re-

enter the labor force after their children left enter the labor force after their children left home. home.

ConcisenessConciseness

The best writing is usually short and The best writing is usually short and straight to the point.straight to the point.

Sentences that are grammatically correct Sentences that are grammatically correct can still be in need of correction in stylecan still be in need of correction in style

The giant condor is able to spread its The giant condor is able to spread its wings up to 25 feet.wings up to 25 feet.

The giant condor has a wingspan of up to The giant condor has a wingspan of up to 25 feet. 25 feet.

Conciseness Con’tConciseness Con’t

Passive verbs often create needlessly long Passive verbs often create needlessly long sentencessentences Is, are, was, were, be, being, been, etc.Is, are, was, were, be, being, been, etc.

One-fourth of the market was captured by One-fourth of the market was captured by the new computer firm.the new computer firm.

The new computer firm captured one-The new computer firm captured one-fourth of the market.fourth of the market.

Unintended MeaningsUnintended Meanings

Misplaced or unclear phrases can change Misplaced or unclear phrases can change the meaning of a sentencethe meaning of a sentence A childless chairwoman’s daughter, Dr. A childless chairwoman’s daughter, Dr.

Roberts was a self-made woman.Roberts was a self-made woman.

Misplaced ModifiersMisplaced Modifiers

Watch placement of phrases/clauses; they Watch placement of phrases/clauses; they should be close to the word (s) they should be close to the word (s) they modify.modify.

How might you correct the How might you correct the following sentence?following sentence?

Jennifer called her Jennifer called her adorable kitten opening adorable kitten opening the can of tuna and filled the can of tuna and filled the food bowl.the food bowl.

Better: Opening the can of Better: Opening the can of tuna, Jennifer called her tuna, Jennifer called her adorable kitten and filled adorable kitten and filled the food bowl.the food bowl.

How might you correct the How might you correct the following sentence?following sentence?

Portia rushed to the store Portia rushed to the store loaded with cash to buy loaded with cash to buy the birthday gift.the birthday gift.

Better: Portia, loaded with Better: Portia, loaded with cash, rushed to the store cash, rushed to the store to buy the birthday gift.to buy the birthday gift.

Misplaced ModifiersMisplaced Modifiers

Some one-word modifiers often cause Some one-word modifiers often cause confusion:confusion:

almostalmost just just nearlynearly simply simply

eveneven hardlyhardly merelymerely onlyonly

Explain the meaning of each Explain the meaning of each sentence:sentence:

AlmostAlmost everyone in the everyone in the class passed the calculus class passed the calculus exam.exam.

Everyone in the class Everyone in the class almostalmost passed the passed the calculus exam.calculus exam.

Which sentence indicates Which sentence indicates that everyone in the class that everyone in the class failed the exam?failed the exam?

Idioms and Clarity of ExpressionIdioms and Clarity of Expression

Low-level usageLow-level usage Instead of “ain’t”, say, “are not”Instead of “ain’t”, say, “are not” Instead of “should of”, say “should have”Instead of “should of”, say “should have”

Watch for diction (word choice)Watch for diction (word choice) There are less students in the class now.There are less students in the class now. There are fewer students in the class now.There are fewer students in the class now.

Watch for wrong prepositionsWatch for wrong prepositions I asked him if he was from about here. I asked him if he was from about here.

PracticePractice

Open Big Book to pg. 51-52 do #: Open Big Book to pg. 51-52 do #: 16,19,22,24,25,2616,19,22,24,25,26 Pg 57-59 do #: Pg 57-59 do #:

2,15,17,19,20,29,30,42,48,59,66,72,74,872,15,17,19,20,29,30,42,48,59,66,72,74,87 Homework : Finish Exercise 4Homework : Finish Exercise 4

Big Book pg. p. 49-52 & p. 57-64 Big Book pg. p. 49-52 & p. 57-64