ACT Practice: Sentence Structure



ACT Practice: Sentence Structure

Part I: Clauses and Phrases

A Phrase is part of a sentence which does not contain its own subject and predicate.

Ex: After school, Larry studied this ACT book and took practice tests.

A Clause is part of a sentence which does contain its own subject and predicate. An independent (main) clause makes sense on its own.

A dependent (subordinate) clause does not make sense on its own.

After he finished studying, Larry went to baseball practice.

Larry felt a lot better after he studied for the test.

Directions: Underline and identify the phrases and clauses in each sentence below (p= phrase, IC= independent clause, DC= dependent clause)

1. The car screeched to a stop near the intersection.

2. Mark went to the store and then he went to the movies.

3. Until she is able to drive, Lisa cannot buy a car.

4. The ACT exam will be easier after you finish the practice tests.

5. Lisa bought a dog.

6. When he gets his new boat, Matt will take everyone water-skiing.

7. After school, John works at the grocery store.

8. Laura will move to Oregon but not until she graduates from college.

9. If it rains, the picnic will be canceled.

10. It is hot.

Part II: Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Directions: Correct the run-on sentences and comma splices. Some sentences are correct.

1. I like to use my computer when I have to write a paper.

2. The scorekeepers at the game use a computer they use it to keep track of statistics.

3. When the computer stops working, I call the Computer Doctor.

4. The referee blew the whistle, the game came to a halt.

5. Running through the rain, the player sprinted toward the clubhouse.

6. The clubhouse door would not open the player was soaking wet.

7. It will be a long time before I go to a game on a rainy day.

8. My clothes are drenched, water is dripping out of my shoes.

9. I put the wet clothes in the dryer right away, although I was concerned they might shrink.

10. The rain stopped the sun came out.

11. The player dried off, the game resumed.

12. The score was tied the team’s best player was at bat.

13. After they won the game, the players went out for pizza.

14. I like pizza with pepperoni and sausage Rob hates mushrooms on his pizza.

15. In the fall I’ll go to college, but this summer I’m working at a pizza place.

Part III: Sentence Fragments

Directions: Correct the sentence fragments. Some sentences are correct

1. I was running to my house. Suddenly, a breeze blew up from the east.

2. The wind reminded me of something. An assignment on weather I had to complete.

3. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles. They whizzed by on the highway.

4. As I was standing by the side of the road. I saw horse-drawn carriages in the distance.

5. They looked like ghosts from the past. Buckboards, carriages, and stagecoaches went by.

6. This was my idea of fun. To ski by moonlight.

7. I saw skiers silhouetted against the spotlights. Like silent movie stars on a modern stage.

8. I gazed silently at the setting sun. Like a flaming meteor, it glowed against the distant horizon.

9. To be at the beach right now. That is my fondest desire.

10. The waves were breaking softly on the beach. The seabirds were skimming along the waves.

11. I like fresh garden vegetables in the summer. Tomatoes, peppers, and carrots.

12. After a long day in the sun, I like to go swimming in the lake.

13. Water-skiing in the evening, that is my favorite summer activity.

14. Standing on the roof, I saw the people down below. Like tiny ants in a maze.

15. As I watched them, I dreamed I was a giant.

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