The verbal components of the ACT—English and Reading—are sprints. The English section asks you to answer 75 questions in 45 minutes (36 seconds per question!). The Reading section demands that you read 4 long passages and answer 40 questions in 35 minutes (52 seconds per question!). Achieving a 34+ score on these sections requires structural clarity and muscle memory.
The good news is that the ACT tests the exact same grammar rules and reading patterns in every single exam. Once you master the heuristics, you can answer questions with high confidence and speed.
High-Frequency ACT English Grammar Focus
Almost 80% of the ACT English section focuses on a handful of core grammatical concepts. Master these first:
Punctuation & Comma Splices
Understand when to use commas, semicolons, and colons. A semicolon must connect two independent clauses. A comma splice (joining two independent clauses with just a comma) is one of the most common errors tested.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The ACT will separate subjects from verbs with long prepositional phrases (e.g., 'The box of chocolates containing delicious nuts and fruits was/were on the table'). Find the true subject to determine the correct verb.
Redundancy and Conciseness
If multiple options are grammatically correct, choose the shortest, most concise one. The ACT hates repetition and wordiness.
The Active Reading Pacing System
For the Reading section, do not read passively. Use a structured pacing method to capture information quickly:
| Reading Step | Recommended Time | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Rapid Skim | 2 Minutes | Read the introduction, conclusion, and the first sentence of each paragraph. Map the main idea and locate key transitions. |
| 2. Question Scan | 30 Seconds | Read the question stems. Identify line references and highlight keywords (e.g., names, dates). |
| 3. Targeted Search | 5.5 Minutes | Go back to the passage using your map. Eliminate wrong choices that are too broad, too extreme, or not mentioned. |
- 1. Over-analyzing reading answers In the ACT Reading section, the correct answer is directly stated in the text. Do not make inferences or search for deep symbolic meanings. If it is not directly supported by a sentence, it is wrong.
- 2. Second-guessing grammar choices Grammar rules are objective. Trust your training on punctuation, pronoun placement, and modifiers. Avoid changing your answers based on how they 'sound' unless you have verified a rule.
On the ACT English section, conciseness is key. When in doubt, pick the shortest grammatically correct answer choice.
— EduQuest Verbal Mentor
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