Directions: Identify all the subjects and verbs in each sentence. Some sentences contain more than one subject and/or more than one verb.
1. Bruce played squash yesterday.
2. Alison likes the Yankees.
3. Who is having the cheeseburger and fries?
4. They are at the movies right now.
5. George writes 5 pages a day.
6. Where do I find Wrigley Field?
7. Students learn best by doing homework.
8. Junot Diaz won the Pulitzer Prize in 2008.
9. Ed called me the other day.
10. Amrita has been going to medical school for ten years.
1. Henry James is my favorite author.
2. Who even says “word up” anymore?
3. My dad’s favorite team used to be the Indianapolis Colts.
4. Ten years is not such a long time.
5. Marc Maron’s podcast should come out twice a week.
6. Super-Nintendo games are actually very rare these days.
7. Dashiell Hammett was one of the first detective writers.
8. How long has this band been popular?
9. Matt started his own wine company a few years ago.
10. The show has started tonight at 10 pm.
1. Are you ever going to be done with that book?
2. Now how did they make this ice cream taste so good?
3. No one’s really sure what the secret to a good life is.
4. I wonder if there are any dogs at the park this late at night.
5. Buying a new iPad can be intimidating because it’s so expensive.
6. Anna will know where she’s moving as soon as she receives her acceptance letters.
7. I was really surprised how big the music library is on Spotify.
8. Nothing I’ve ever seen can compare to this new movie.
9. The stories on The Daily Show are funniest around election time.
10. We’ll leave as soon as we’re done packing all our things.
Directions: For each question, choose the sentence that uses Stop/Go punctuation correctly.
1. A. I know I will be a successful warrior for I will never back down.
B. I know I will be a successful warrior, for I will never back down.
2. F. This is a brand new suit, so you should wear it for a job interview or something.
G. This is a brand new suit so you should wear it for a job interview or something.
3. A. He just goes to the mall and walks around.
B. He just goes to the mall, and walks around.
4. F. I know it’s childish, yet I can’t fully let go of my rocking horse.
G. I know it’s childish yet I can’t fully let go of my rocking horse.
5. A. Do you want to hang on to your old baseball cards or just throw them all away?
B. Do you want to hang on to your old baseball cards, or just throw them all away?
6. F. I’ve never eaten at a Hardees, nor do I ever intend to.
G. I’ve never eaten at a Hardees nor do I ever intend to.
7. A. James said he would come to my party but in the end said he couldn’t.
B. James said he would come to my part, but in the end said he couldn’t.
8. F. Mario Lemieux stopped playing hockey for a reason few could understand at the time.
G. Mario Lemieux stopped playing hockey, for a reason few could understand at he time.
9. A. He has neither rhyme nor reason for anything he does.
B. He has neither rhyme, nor reason for anything he does.
10. F. Your love letter contains too many grammatical mistakes, so I think we should break up.
G. Your love letter contains too many grammatical mistakes so I think we should break up.
1. A. Please don’t look at my iTunes playlist. It’s so embarrassing.
B. Please don’t look at my iTunes playlist, it’s so embarrassing.
2. F. It seems like I only care about politics when: there’s some big election going on.
G. It seems like I only care about politics when there’s some big election going on.
3. A. The Flyers are going to win the Cup this year, the team’s goalie is one of the best in the league!
B. The Flyers are going to win the Cup this year; the team’s goalie is one of the best in the league!
4. F. Although it’s a huge honor to get an academic book published, the books often sell only 200 or 300 copies.
G. Although it’s a huge honor to get an academic book published. The books often sell only 200 or 300 copies.
5. A. I’m not sure why I love furniture shopping so much: maybe it’s because I feel like Ikea is a playground!
B. I’m not sure why I love furniture shopping so much maybe it’s because I feel like Ikea is a playground.
6. F. Humanities departments all over the country changed in the 1970s; when French literary theory became popular.
G. Humanities departments all over the country changed in the 1970s when French literary theory became popular.
7. A. Every time I go to a squash match, I make sure to bring my lucky bandana and an extra racquet.
B. Every time I go to a squash match, I make sure to bring: my lucky bandana and an extra racquet.
8. F. My favorite app is probably Angry Birds.
G. My favorite app is probably: Angry Birds.
9. A. Michael Vick is a talented athlete, his animal-rights abuses notwithstanding.
B. Michael Vick is a talented athlete; his animal-rights abuses notwithstanding.
10. F. To never split an infinitive, this is one of those grammar rules that’s a little outdated.
G. To never split an infinitive: this is one of those grammar rules that’s a little outdated.
1. A. If you see Ravneet, tell him I said hi.
B. If you see Ravneet: tell him I said hi.
2. F. The doctor told me I should eat more kale. Whatever that is.
G. The doctor told me I should eat more kale, whatever that is.
3. A. I’ve lost a lot of weight on the grapefruit diet although I’m pretty sick of grapefruit.
B. I’ve lost a lot of weight on the grapefruit diet; although I’m pretty sick of grapefruit.
4. F. It seems like things just keep getting worse: there was more crime in the city this year than last year.
G. It seems like things just keep getting worse, there was more crime in the city this year than last year.
5. A. My favorite Beatle is Paul; Nathaniel’s favorite is John.
B. My favorite Beatle is Paul, Nathaniel’s favorite is John.
6. F. First, she published a poem in The Atlantic. Then, she published a whole book of poems.
G. First, she published a poem in The Atlantic, then, she published a whole book of poems.
7. A. When I learned that flourless chocolate cake was gluten free, I didn’t feel so bad about my gluten allergy.
B. When I learned that flourless chocolate cake was gluten free. I didn’t feel so bad about my gluten allergy.
8. F. Many adults suffer from a Vitamin-D deficiency because they don’t drink enough milk.
G. Many adults suffer from a Vitamin-D deficiency; because they don’t drink enough milk.
9. A. The Senator from Pennsylvania, took the whole legislature by storm.
B. The Senator from Pennsylvania took the whole legislature by storm.
10. F. I don’t like protein bars either, but I much prefer them to raw eggs.
G. I don’t like protein bars either but I much prefer them to raw eggs.
Directions: Fill in the correct pronoun. Choose from the following list: I, me, you, he, him, she, her, it, we, us, they, them, who, whom.
1. Once he calls me, John and _____ will go eat.
2. It was Jake’s birthday, so I got _______ an iTunes gift card.
3. Anne won the award, for _____ was the best violinist.
4. I have two tickets to the concert, but I can’t get anyone to go with _____.
5. ______ among you let the dogs out?
6. She and _____ sister are going to open a shop.
7. It is said that we all have at least one novel within _____.
8. Scott would be a better squash player if _____ were only a little more patient.
9. _______ told us it wasn’t possible, but we proved them wrong.
10. The American Airlines Center in Dallas is a great arena: _____ has so many great food options!
1. Beyonce’s new song isn’t great, but I can’t stop listening to _____.
2. The owners haven’t listed the price on the “For Sale” sign, so you should ask _____.
3. ______ didn’t have any idea where to buy our new couch.
4. If only _______ had bought Microsoft stock early on, Melissa and I would be rich now.
5. Willa Cather won the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours, but _____ didn’t consider it one of her own best novels.
6. Bob Dylan’s songs are so powerful because they speak to all of ______.
7. No, not that girl, the one to the left of ______.
8. You bought a Snuggie? For _____?
9. Jeff got the promotion even though ______ doesn’t do much work.
10. I know Justin Bieber is very popular, but I don’t much like ____.
1. Not one of us ______ owns a dog has any problem with cats.
2. I’m going to sue the guy _____ sold me this defective banana tree.
3. ______ are you going to invite to your retirement party?
4. ______ is your roommate this year?
5. They say you can be whoever you want when you go to college, but I’m not sure _____ I am now.
6. You wrote, “From me to you.” From you to _____?
7. ______ did you vote for in the last election?
8. ______ was your preferred candidate last year?
9. My grandmother, ______ is Swiss, makes incredible Christmas cookies.
10. I’ve always been curious _____ figured out that plantains are edible.
Directions: Select the correct participle for each sentence. Choose from the following verbs: to bake, to become, to choose, to drink, to fall, to hide, to ride, to shake, to swim, to wear.
1. It has now ________ very obvious that you can improve your score on the ACT with a little practice.
2. It isn’t always necessary to stick with whatever you’ve _______ as a major.
3. Mary thought she had ________ in love ten times before she met “the one.”
4. If I hadn’t ________ the cake for so long, it would’ve thawed out by now, and we’d be eating it.
5. Your birthday present is here, but it’s ________ in a place where you’ll never find it.
6. Although I’ve seen motorcycle sidecars in movies, I’ve never actually _______ in one.
7. I’ve never had a conversation with a famous author, but I’ve ________ hands with a few of them.
8. Michael Phelps must have _______ like a million laps a day to become as good a swimmer as he is.
9. I’ve _______ some pretty hideous shirts in my day. I still wear some of them today.
10. She had ________ so much coffee that she had trouble getting to sleep.
Directions: Select the correct participle for each sentence. Choose from the following verbs: to begin, to come, to fly, to forget, to know, to receive, to ring, to sing, to take, to write.
1. Before the hockey game had even ________, some of the players were already fighting.
2. At last, the chickens have _______ home to roost.
3. A two-hour flight is common, but few people have _______ for the seventeen hours it takes to get from New York to India.
4. Although it’s supposed to be the “average” grade, many students have never _______ a C.
5. If Josh had only _______ how easy the ACT was going to be, he wouldn’t have lost so much sleep over it.
6. If you had _______ the doorbell, you wouldn’t have had to wait out side for so long.
7. She didn’t have a great singing voice, so it was hard to believe that she had once _______ in a choir at Carnegie Hall.
8. I’ve _______ about all I can stand, and I’m not going to take any more.
9. Once you’ve _______ your essay, your application is nearly complete.
10. I know I haven’t checked your homework yet, but I haven’t _______ about it.
Directions: Select the correct participle for each sentence. Choose from the following verbs: to become, to blow, to drink, to forbid, to give, to lie, to rise, to speak, to teach, to wake.
1. A cold wind had _______ across the plain, signifying that the next day was to be a cold one.
2. If you hadn’t ________ so much soda at dinner, you wouldn’t be running to the bathroom every five minutes now.
3. I’ve ________ the use of cell phones in class, but you continue to use them anyway.
4. Bill Gates has ________ so much of his money to charity, it’s a wonder he still has any at all.
5. I had just _______ down to take a nap when my roommate came in and blasted his awful music.
6. The building was beautiful and had _______ much higher than I expected it to.
7. My computer problem still isn’t fixed even though I’ve ________ with everyone in customer service.
8. The class was ________ by one of the most eccentric professors on campus.
9. She could hardly play at all a few years ago, but she has since _______ one of the best pianists I know.
10. If I hadn’t _______ up at such a late hour, I would’ve made it to school on time.
Directions: For each question, choose the option that uses commas correctly.
1. A. Going for broke, Scottie shot the ball from half court.
B. Going for broke Scottie shot the ball from half court.
2 F. A class, on literary theory, can be really interesting for non-English majors.
G. A class on literary theory can be really interesting for non-English majors.
3. A. I got an A in math, English, and physics.
B. I got an A in math, English and physics.
4. F. The most populous cities in New Jersey are Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and Elizabeth.
G. The most populous cities in New Jersey are Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Elizabeth.
5. A. Either the Flyers, the Penguins or the Rangers will win the Atlantic Division this year.
B. Either the Flyers, the Penguins, or the Rangers will win the Atlantic Division this year.
6. F. A filmmaker, particularly one who has gone to film school, should be well-versed in the editing process.
G. A filmmaker particularly one who has gone to film school should be well-versed in the editing process.
7. A. Heeding the weather report Jonathan remembered to take his umbrella.
B. Heeding the weather report, Jonathan remembered to take his umbrella.
8. F. It’s hard to say who the greatest living American writer is, but I’d say it’s a three-way tie among Philip Roth, Toni Morrison, and Thomas Pynchon.
G. It’s hard to say who the greatest living American writer is, but I’d say it’s a three-way tie among Philip Roth, Toni Morrison and Thomas Pynchon.
9. A. Instant Messenger, an earlier version of Facebook chat, isn’t as popular as it once was.
B. Instant Messenger an earlier version of Facebook chat isn’t as popular as it once was.
10. F. I couldn’t afford to go to the furniture store, so I checked Craigslist a yard sale, and a garage sale.
G. I couldn’t afford to go to the furniture store, so I checked Craigslist, a yard sale, and a garage sale.
1. A. There are three ways to tell time in my room: my wristwatch, my pocketwatch, and my old grandfather clock.
B. There are three ways to tell time in my room: my wristwatch my pocketwatch, and my old grandfather clock.
2. F. The name Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd’s original singer, is now known only to the band’s superfans.
G. The name, Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd’s original singer is now known only to the band’s superfans.
3. A. I’m going to see a concert tonight at the Bowery Ballroom, one of New York’s most notorious nightclubs.
B. I’m going to see a concert tonight at the Bowery Ballroom one of New York’s most notorious nightclubs.
4. F. Turkish bread contains only four ingredients: water, flour, salt, and sesame.
G. Turkish bread contains only four ingredients: water, flour, salt and sesame.
5. A. Head to the nearest exit if you hear the fire alarm go off.
B. Head to the nearest exit, if you hear the fire alarm go off.
6. F. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page were all members of the Yardbirds at one point.
G. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page were all members of the Yardbirds at one point.
7. A. Every time I go to the store, I have to buy a candy bar.
B. Every time, I go to the store, I have to buy a candy bar.
8. F. Actually the new conditioner made her hair much shinier.
G. Actually, the new conditioner made her hair much shinier.
9. A. The best time to see a hockey game is Saturday afternoon.
B. The best time, to see a hockey game, is Saturday afternoon.
10. F. Whenever I’m at the airport, I’m always amazed that FedEx, UPS’s main competitor, has such huge jets.
G. Whenever I’m at the airport, I’m always amazed that FedEx UPS’s main competitor has such huge jets.
1. A. The Atlantic Monthly does a fiction issue every summer.
B. The Atlantic Monthly does a fiction issue, every summer.
2. F. Colleen’s cuticles were especially dry, so the nail technician suggested lotion, ointment, or Vaseline.
G. Colleen’s cuticles were especially dry, so the nail technician suggested lotion, ointment or Vaseline.
3. A. No matter which song you like best you have to admit the Beatles have a lot of great songs.
B. No matter which song you like best, you have to admit the Beatles have a lot of great songs.
4. F. Originally opened in 1871 Grand Central Station is one of the most impressive train stations in the world.
G. Originally opened in 1871, Grand Central Station is one of the most impressive train stations in the world.
5. A. Uncertain why it mattered so much, Sally studied hard for the ACT.
B. Uncertain why it mattered so much Sally studied for the ACT.
6. F. Named for the shape of its wings, the comma butterfly is mainly found in the temperate areas in Europe and Asia.
G. Named for the shape of its wings the comma butterfly is mainly found in the temperate areas in Europe and Asia.
7. A. I need to take my dirty clothes to the laundromat the one on the corner.
B. I need to take my dirty clothes to the laundromat, the one on the corner.
8. F. The south, of France, is beautiful this time of year.
G. The south of France is beautiful this time of year.
9. A. I couldn’t decide between Honey-Nut Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Golden Grahams and Apple Jacks, so I bought all four.
B. I couldn’t decide between Honey-Nut Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Golden Grahams, and Apple Jacks, so I bought all four.
10. F. In any case, brushing your teeth three times a day isn’t such a bad thing.
G. In any case brushing your teeth three times a day isn’t such a bad thing.
Directions: In each of the following sentences, one word is used incorrectly. Find the incorrect word and rewrite it correctly.
1. Butterflies’ are known in France as papillons.
2. There are so many citation style’s that I’m not sure which to use.
3. Most goalies save percentage is above 90 percent.
4. Let’s go see whose inside.
5. A stories style is more important to me than its plot.
6. I usually don’t like potatoes, but these potatoes preparation has made them really exceptional.
7. Because of all the young parents, there are so many baby’s in Hoboken.
8. I’m not sure what it mean’s, but there’s a big envelope from Harvard at home.
9. My band’s version of the song is pretty good, but theirs’ is much better.
10. Whose ski’s are these?
1. The first song from the album was the bands biggest hit.
2. The Harlem Globetrotters are fun to watch even if there not the best basketball players.
3. I forgot to take my contact’s out last night, and now my eyes are burning.
4. F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of the best writers of the twenties’.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of soccers biggest stars.
6. To write, one needs a little bit of money and a room of ones own.
7. In the proper season, there’s nothing more delicious than raspberries’.
8. Because I’ve listened to so many, I can’t remember all the sermons contents.
9. The restaurant serves everything, but their specialties Greek food.
10. I swear he has sent me a thousand texts’ today.
1. Its’ a real shame that people don’t read more.
2. A religious communities presence does a lot to shape the character of a town.
3. In Latin, the meaning of a word depends a lot on that words declension.
4. Each of the questions’ has its own particular slant on the concept.
5. They have a variety of purposes, but the drills main one is to test your knowledge of apostrophes.
6. I can’t keep track of all the medicine’s my grandmother takes.
7. Sushi would be much more popular if it’s rawness weren’t so weird to people.
8. If you like that place’s pancakes, you should definitely try our’s.
9. My English teachers love of grammar is a total mystery to me.
10. Someone must’ve left the door open and let all these fly’s in.
Directions: In each of the following questions, you are given only a list of answer choices. Compare the answer choices, and identify the ACT concept being tested. Choose from the following list and write your answer next to each question: apostrophes, concise, pronouns, stop/go, verbs, transitions.
1. A. shine
B. shines
C. shined
D. is shining
2. F. critical reputation
G. reputation among critics and writers
H. being known as having repute among critics
J. reputation among critical people
3. A. depth but a
B. depth. A
C. depth; a
D. depth, a
4. F. uncles
G. uncles’
H. uncle’s
J. uncles’s
5. A. frowned each
B. frowned. Each
C. frowned—each
D. frowned; each
6. F. whose
G. ours
H. its
J. who’s
7. A. dog, but it’s actually really smart.
B. dog.
C. dog, and it’s sort of smart.
D. dog—no bones about it.
8. F. but
G. that
H. because
J. although
9. A. words, by
B. words by
C. words. By
D. words if by
10. Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?
F. though
G. because
H. since
J. for
1. A. will have gone
B. would go
C. have gone
D. will be going
2. F. Montclair, where there is a theater called the Wellmont.
G. Montclair, where the Wellmont is a popular theater.
H. Montclair, a suburb of New York City.
J. Montclair.
3. A. however,
B. nevertheless,
C. that is to say,
D. therefore,
4. F. one’s
G. him
H. one
J. he
5. A. children’s,
B. childrens,
C. children’s,
D. childrens’,
6. F. needs
G. needed
H. is needing
J. have been needing
7. Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?
A. fences. Before doing this, the builders
B. fences, before which, they
C. fences. The builders soon
D. fences; next they
8. Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?
F. Because
G. Although
H. Even though
J. While
9. F. variation,
G. variation because,
H. variation:
J. variation
10. F. arisen
G. arosen
H. arised
J. arise
English Drills Answers
1. Bruce; played
2. Alison; likes
3. who; is
4. they; are
5. George; writes
6. I; do find
7. students; learn
8. Junot Diaz; won
9. Ed; called
10. Amrita; has been going
1. Henry James; is
2. who; says
3. my dad’s favorite team; used to be
4. ten years; is
5. Marc Maron’s podcast; should come out
6. Super-Nintendo games; are
7. Dashiell Hammett; was
8. this band; has been
9. Matt; started
10. the show; has started
| 1. | you | are going to be |
| 2. | they | did make |
| 3. | no one | is |
| secret | is | |
| 4. | I | wonder |
| dogs | are | |
| 5. | buying | can be |
| it | is | |
| 6. | Anna | will know |
| she | is moving | |
| she | receives | |
| 7. | I | was |
| library | is | |
| 8. | nothing | can compare |
| I | have seen | |
| 9. | stories | are |
| 10. | we | will leave |
| we | are done packing |
1. butterflies
2. styles
3. goalies’
4. who’s
5. story’s
6. potatoes’
7. babies
8. means
9. theirs
10. skis
1. band’s
2. they’re
3. contacts
4. twenties
5. soccer’s
6. one’s
7. raspberries
8. sermons’
9. specialty’s
10. texts
1. It’s
2. community’s
3. word’s
4. question’s
5. drill’s
6. medicine
7. its
8. ours
9. teacher’s
10. flies
1. verbs
2. concise
3. stop/go
4. apostrophes
5. stop/go
6. pronouns
7. concise
8. transitions
9. stop/go
10. transitions