Sentence Boundaries | English for ACT PDF Download

Fragments

A complete sentence consists of a subject and a verb that conveys what the subject is doing, except for commands which are not tested on the ACT. Fragments, on the other hand, are incorrect because they do not have a verb that describes the subject's action. However, identifying fragments is not always straightforward, as demonstrated in the given examples.

• For instance, the phrase "Many students with a test on Monday" is a fragment because it lacks a verb. But it can be corrected by adding a verb to convey the action, such as "Many students with a test on Monday are preparing over the weekend." 
• Similarly, the fragment "With proper training, many athletes" can be completed by adding an appropriate verb, such as "With proper training, many athletes should be able to avoid injury."

(The bolded parts are the verbs in each sentence.)

ACT Level Example:

The statement discusses the importance of daily vitamins and minerals in maintaining healthy cellular functioning. 

• The word "that" introduces a relative clause, which acts as an adjective that describes the subject. It is important to note that the verb within this clause, such as "are," is not the main verb that combines with the subject to form a complete sentence.

A revised sentence that demonstrates this concept is: "In many of the foods we eat, daily vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy cellular functioning can be found."

Comma Splices

To connect complete sentences, there are a few different options available. The most straightforward method is to use a period to separate the two sentences. Another option is to use a semicolon, which can connect two independent clauses. Alternatively, a comma followed by a conjunction can also be used to join two complete sentences. It's essential to note that the conjunction must include the word "and," as this word is crucial in avoiding a comma splice. When two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a conjunction, it results in a comma splice.

For example:

• In the sentence "Studying every day is not how I want to spend my summer, I want to make lasting memories with friends," the comma splice is highlighted in bold. To correct this error, a comma and conjunction can be used, such as "Studying every day is not how I want to spend my summer, because I want to make lasting memories with friends," or a semicolon can be used instead, such as "Studying every day is not how I want to spend my summer; I want to make lasting memories with friends."

ACT Level Example:

• "Jupiter, being the largest planet in the solar system, also possesses the largest moon."
• "The largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter, is accompanied by the largest moon as well."
• "With its massive size, Jupiter holds the title for the largest planet in the solar system and is also home to the largest moon."