PreACT (Grade 10)

Every complete sentence contains a subject and a predicate. The subject identifies who or what performs the action or exists in a state. The predicate contains the verb and provides information about the subject.

Simple subjects are single nouns or pronouns. Complete subjects include the simple subject plus all modifiers. Simple predicates are single verbs or verb phrases. Complete predicates include the verb plus objects, complements, and modifiers.

Direct objects receive the action of transitive verbs: She wrote a letter. Indirect objects identify to whom or for whom the action is performed: She wrote him a letter. Subject complements follow linking verbs and rename or describe the subject: She is a doctor. She seems happy.

Phrases are groups of related words lacking both a subject and a verb working together. Prepositional phrases begin with prepositions: in the morning, under the bridge. Verbal phrases contain verb forms functioning as other parts of speech.

Participial phrases contain present or past participles and function as adjectives: Running quickly, she caught the bus. The book, written in 1920, remains relevant.

Gerund phrases contain -ing verb forms functioning as nouns: Running marathons requires dedication.

Infinitive phrases contain to plus base verb forms and function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs: To win was her goal. She has the ability to succeed.

Appositive phrases rename or explain nouns: My brother, a talented musician, performs regularly.

Simple sentences contain one independent clause: The dog barked.

Compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions or semicolons: The dog barked, and the cat ran.

Complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause: When the dog barked, the cat ran.

Compound-complex sentences contain at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause: When the dog barked, the cat ran, and the bird flew away.

Varying sentence types creates rhythm and maintains reader interest. Overusing any single type produces monotonous prose.

Agreement errors and structural problems are common issues tested on the PreACT English section.

Subjects and verbs must agree in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs. Plural subjects take plural verbs.

The challenge often lies in identifying the true subject. Ignore prepositional phrases between subject and verb: The box of chocolates is on the table. The subject is box, not chocolates.

Compound subjects joined by and typically take plural verbs: The cat and dog are playing. However, when compound subjects refer to a single entity, use a singular verb: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.

With compound subjects joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject: Neither the students nor the teacher was prepared. Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared.

Indefinite pronouns vary in number. Singular indefinite pronouns include each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, everything, someone, somebody, something, anyone, anybody, anything, no one, nobody, and nothing. Plural indefinite pronouns include both, few, many, and several. Some indefinite pronouns (all, any, most, none, some) can be singular or plural depending on context.

Collective nouns (team, committee, family, group) take singular verbs when referring to the group as a unit and plural verbs when emphasizing individual members: The team is winning. The team are arguing among themselves.

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, person, and gender. Antecedents are the nouns that pronouns replace or refer to.

Compound antecedents joined by and take plural pronouns: Mark and Lisa brought their projects. With antecedents joined by or or nor, the pronoun agrees with the nearer antecedent.

Collective noun antecedents take singular or plural pronouns based on whether the group acts as a unit or as individuals.

Pronouns must clearly refer to specific antecedents. Ambiguous reference occurs when a pronoun could logically refer to more than one antecedent: When John called Mike, he was angry. Who was angry?

Vague reference occurs when pronouns like it, this, that, or which refer to general ideas rather than specific nouns: The company raised prices, which upset customers. The which lacks a clear noun antecedent.

Avoid using they, you, or it without clear antecedents: They say breakfast is important. In the article, it states that exercise helps. Specify who says or states.

Pronoun case indicates a pronoun's function in a sentence. Subjective case pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they, who) function as subjects. Objective case pronouns (me, you, him, her, it, us, them, whom) function as objects. Possessive case pronouns (my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, their, theirs, whose) show ownership.

In compound structures, mentally remove the other element to check case: Sarah and (I/me) went to the store. I went to the store. The manager praised Sarah and (I/me). The manager praised me.

After linking verbs, use subjective case: It was I who called. This sounds formal but is grammatically correct.

Who functions as a subject; whom functions as an object. Test by substituting he/him: Who/Whom called? He called. Who is correct. To who/whom did you speak? You spoke to him. Whom is correct.

Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for elements serving the same function. Items in a series should share the same structure: She enjoys reading, writing, and hiking. Not: She enjoys reading, to write, and hikes.

Correlative conjunctions require parallel elements after each part: Both intelligent and hardworking. Either accept the offer or reject it. Not only wrote the book but also promoted it.

Comparisons should parallel the elements being compared: Swimming is more relaxing than running. Not: Swimming is more relaxing than to run.

Sentence fragments lack subjects, verbs, or complete thoughts. Dependent clauses standing alone are fragments: Because she was tired. This needs an independent clause: Because she was tired, she went to bed early.

Verbal phrases without subjects are fragments: Running through the park. Add a subject and possibly a helping verb: She was running through the park.

Fragments occasionally serve stylistic purposes in professional writing, but standard academic prose requires complete sentences. The PreACT expects you to recognize and correct fragments.

Run-on sentences (fused sentences) join independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunctions: The rain stopped the sun came out.

Comma splices join independent clauses with only commas: The rain stopped, the sun came out.

Correct these errors by adding coordinating conjunctions: The rain stopped, and the sun came out. Use semicolons: The rain stopped; the sun came out. Create separate sentences: The rain stopped. The sun came out. Subordinate one clause: After the rain stopped, the sun came out.