Everything You Need to Know About ACT English Section

 logo

Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on Feb 28, 2022 11:28 AM IST

To score well on the ACT English section, you will need to organize sentences and paragraphs based on their order and focus. Here we have compiled all the ACT English grammar rules you need to know to ace the ACT English section.

Everything You Need to Know About ACT English Section

While that unnecessary mug makes no attempt to hide its purpose, the ACT English section is clearly evaluating how well you understand English grammar.

You will be tested on your understanding of standard written English conventions in the ACT English Section. You must not only know grammatical rules, tenses, punctuations, as well as sentence structure but you must also know and understand critical thinking skills, rhetorical skills, such as effective structuring, writing strategies, and style. ACT English has several other critical features:

  • The ACT test starts with this section

  • The time limit is 45 minutes

  • The test has 75 multiple-choice questions (uh-huh! That’s a lot!)

We've got tips and practice questions for the ACT English test, from what's tested to what to expect.

Our Study Abroad Consultants' have trained a great number of students on a one-to-one basis to score excellent results, particularly in the ACT English Section. We are glad to see so many of our students are attending the colleges to which they aspire. Know More.

Need Assistance in Preparing for Study Abroad Entrance Exam? 

Question Types in ACT English Section

English questions on the ACT are divided into three main categories:

  • Written Production (29-32% of the questions): This section focuses on the overall structure and organization of the writing. For example, did the author accomplish his or her mission with the writing? Do you find it unified and coherent?

  • Knowledge of Language (13–19% of the questions): Using the most precise and effective word while preserving the piece's tone is a test of your understanding of style.

  • Conventions of Standard English (51–56% of the questions): ACT English students are most likely to encounter these grammar, tenses or questions based on punctuation. The sections will cover a variety of topics, such as sentence structure, effective writing skills, parts of speech and punctuation, as well as regular English usage.

The information tested within these seemingly general categories is extremely specific! These English questions will test your knowledge of the content.

Also Read: Why Many US Universities Are No Longer Considering ACT/SAT Scores as an Admission Requirement

Which Things are Tested in ACT English Section?

Here are the things that are tested in the ACT English section:

  • Concordance of subjects and verbs.

  • Commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons, dashes, and other punctuation marks.

  • Modifiers comparing and superlatives (for instance, “Raj is more entertaining than my friend.”)

  • The forms of verbs and their agreements.

  • Adverbs and adjectives.

  • A clear, idiomatic, and concise writing style, including a strategy for organizing the essay and paragraphs.

  • A pronoun agreement and pronoun forms.

  • The structure of sentences (such as dependent/ independent clauses, missing modifiers, comma splice sentences, and run-on sentences).

Are You Struggling With ACT English Section Preparation? Let Us Help You! 

Also Read: 

Everything You Need to Know About ACT Mathematics

Everything You Need to Know About ACT Science

Everything You Need to Know About ACT Writing

Everything You Need to Know About ACT Reading

English Section of the ACT: What You Need to Know

There is no test of spelling or vocabulary in the ACT English section. Instead, it tests reading, writing, as well as rhetorical style and organizational skills. Instead, it tests reading, writing, as well as rhetorical style and organizational skills.

It will be important for students not only to know basic grammar and punctuation rules but also to define and correct organizational issues, critical thinking, analytical decision making as well as their writing strategies. You will be expected to apply principles of writing to written passages in order to effectively answer these questions-particularly as they apply to persuasive writing.

According to the ACT English section, the following concepts will be examined:

  • Skills Related to Rhetoric

  • Organisation

  • Strategy

  • Style

  • Mechanics and Usage

  • Grammar

  • Punctuation

  • Sentence Structure

Also Read: Top Courses for International Students to Study in the USA

Tips and Tricks to Ace the ACT English Section

Given below are some of the top tips and tricks to score high in the ACT English section:

  • Acknowledge Your Faults: It is crucial that you understand why an incorrect answer is wrong during the English section of the ACT, just as it is crucial that you understand why the correct answer is correct.

  • It's Never Too Early to Practice: Making progress before test day is dependent on taking multiple practice tests. Although the questions on each test assess the same skills, the context of the questions varies. 

  • Don't Listen to Your Ears, But to the Rules: Due to familiarity with English, in theory the English section might seem to be easier. However, being so familiar with the subject material can be a double-edged sword. Rather than relying solely on what sounds correct, instead of constantly seeking out answers that sound correct, identify which grammatical rule(s) is/are being tested for each answer option and apply it/them accordingly.

  • Be Patient and Don't Rush: Rushing has never produced any good. To succeed on test day, you must keep a critical eye on each question since the differences between answer choices can be nuanced. To ensure that you finish on time, do not rush through the questions. 

  • Select the Most Clear Answer: Focus on quality over quantity when taking the ACT English section. In the event that you have trouble choosing between answers based on grammatical reasons, consider any redundant information in both the sentence in question and the following and preceding sentences, as well as the one preceding it. 

  • Embrace the "No Change" Answer: Don't be afraid of choosing the "No Change" answer, since it is just as likely to be correct as any other option. As a first step, it is advisable to identify any errors with the "No Change" answer so that it is easier to identify problems with other answers.

  • Always Double-Check and Finish with Extra Time: The section ends with time for you to go back and review. Students can gain insight into one or more tricks by answering the same grammatical rules in multiple ways.

  • Discard Similar Answers: It is helpful to group answer choices for the ACT English section in order to help manage time since a group of choices can be eliminated at once without needing to refer to more grammar rules,

  • Indent the Paragraphs Twice: Make sure students are not trusting that a paragraph ends at the bottom of a page when they are asked to identify the main points of a paragraph.

  • Be Aware of the Transitional Phrases: While understanding each paragraph's main point in the ACT English section is essential, understanding how each paragraph transitions to the next is equally important.

Pro Tip: It is always a good idea to assume paragraphs will continue until the next indentation when some paragraphs are split over multiple pages.

Also Read: ACT vs. SAT: What is the Difference & Which One is Right for You? 

For more queries related to your ACT English, please drop us a line at abroad@collegedekho.com. Our Study Abroad Consultants' have prepared a great number of students to take the ACT English Section with excellent results. As many of our students as possible are pursuing their dreams by attending the colleges to which they hunted for. Know More

Get in Touch With Us to Boost Your ACT English Preparation! 

You can share this post!

Admission Open 2024

Related Articles

Aug 18, 2023 04:28 PM IST

How to Apply for Masters in USA?

Aug 03, 2023 01:18 PM IST

Documents Required for TOEFL

Our Study Abroad Offerings

Popular Universities to StudyAbroad

Planning to study abroad?

Interested in Studying Overseas?

Connect with us and kickstart your learning journey for a rewarding experience!

By proceeding ahead you expressly agree to the CollegeDekhoAbroad Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.