• Comma Splice- two or more sentences joined together as one, separated by a comma
• Run-On-two sentences written incorrectly as one
• Compound sentence-two independent clauses separated by a comma and conjunction
• FANBOYS-for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

• Add a comma and a FANBOYS word (a conjunction)
• Add a semi colon
• Add a period
• Change an independent clause to a dependent clause by adding a word like although, because, despite or while
– Because we were required to read the novel, I actually enjoyed it.
• Keep an eye out for verbs that end in –ing. When these are underlined in the ACT, it might be a fragment error hiding.
– The monkey swinging in the tree.

• Commas
– Separate introductory words from the main part of the sentence
– Set off non-essential words or phrases
– Separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction (FANBOYS word)
– Separate items in a series
• Semi-Colons
– Link two independent clauses NOT joined by a FANBOYS word
– Use with: furthermore, however, in fact, indeed, moreover, nevertheless, therefore and thus
– DO NOT USE with: although, despite, whereas, who, which, where, that
• Dashes
– Indicate break in thought
– Set off parenthetical information from the main part of a sentence

• anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, someone,
somebody, no one, and nobody are always singular
• Either and neither are always singular
• Collective nouns may be singular or plural depending on meaning in sentence
– The team saluted its fans.
– The members of the team saluted their fans.
• Titles of singular entities (a book, a country), take the singular
• Every or many takes the singular
• “The number of” is singular
• “A number of” is plural

• Do not confuse use of adjectives and adverbs
• Make sure position does not create confusion
– New students and parents should attend the meeting.
• Should not cause ambiguity
– Ten of the thirty students did not report minor problems.
• Should be singular, even when adjective is actually a noun
– The freshman class
• Careful with misplaced modifiers
– I know a person with a new car named George.
• Commas can help you know what goes with what

Singular
Plural
Part of the
Sentence
Nominative
(subjective)
I, you, he, she, it, who
They, we
Subject, predicate noun
Use after a linking verb (verbs that show state of being or link the subject to a description)
Objective
Me, you, him, her, it, whom
Us, them
Direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition
Use after an action verb
Possessive
My, mine, yours, your, his, hers, its
Ours, our, theirs
Possessive noun, adjective
Use after a linking verb OR before a noun (as an adjective)

1. Change passive voice to active voice
2. Use strong verbs
3. Avoid redundancy
4. Avoid exaggerating words
5. Get rid of filler/unnecessary phrases

• Passive voice is when you make the object of the sentence the subject of the sentence
– Active voice: Germany invaded Poland.
– Passive voice: Poland was invaded by Germany.
• Passive voice is grammatically correct, but it often makes your writing wordy and dull

When using verbs …
1. Use action verbs instead of forms of to be, especially coupled with the word “there”
2. Avoid stilted verbs –started to do something

• To separate independent clauses when joined by a conjunction
• To set off introductory phrases
• Separate items in a list
• To set off non-essential information
• With punctuation of dates and geographic information

• Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.
– Incorrect: An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult.
• Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.
– Incorrect: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study.
• Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object.
– Incorrect (compound subject):The music teacher from your high school, and the football coach from mine are married.
– Incorrect (compound object):Jeff told me that the job was still available, and that the manager wanted to interview me.

• Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.
– The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.
– The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised.
• Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent
(subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).
– Incorrect: She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken.
– Incorrect: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.
– Correct: She was still quite upset, although she had won the
Oscar.(This comma use is correct because it is an example of extreme contrast)