ACT English Punctuation Commas Introductory Elements Lists Nonessential Clauses

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Punctuation with Commas: Introductory Elements, Lists, Nonessential Clauses is a crucial topic that appears in the English section of the ACT. It's a common source of errors, and mastering it can help you boost your score. You'll encounter this topic on every English test, and it's considered Intermediate in difficulty.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• Commas are used to separate items in lists, set off nonessential clauses, and introduce introductory elements.
• A nonessential clause is a phrase that provides additional information but can be removed without changing the sentence's meaning.
• An introductory element is a word or phrase that begins a sentence and is not essential to its meaning.
• A list is a series of items separated by commas.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Read the sentence or passage carefully to identify the underlined portion.
2. Determine whether the underlined portion is an introductory element, a nonessential clause, or a list.
3. Check for commas that separate items in lists or set off nonessential clauses.
4. Eliminate answer choices that clearly violate grammar rules or punctuation conventions.
5. Use the process of elimination to narrow down your options.
6. Check your work by reading the sentence or passage with the underlined portion removed.

⚠️ Don't assume a comma is always necessary. Sometimes, commas can be omitted without affecting the sentence's meaning.

How It’s Tested on the ACT

In the English section, you'll encounter sentences or passages with underlined portions. The question will ask you to identify the correct punctuation or grammar usage. Be careful of distractors like missing or unnecessary commas.

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

1. The mistake: Failing to set off nonessential clauses with commas.
   • Why it happens: Rushing or misreading the sentence.
   • How to avoid it: Read the sentence carefully and identify nonessential clauses.
   • Exam board insight: The ACT penalizes errors in punctuation and grammar.
2. The mistake: Incorrectly using commas in lists.
   • Why it happens: Misunderstanding the rules for commas in lists.
   • How to avoid it: Use the Oxford comma (e.g., "apples, bananas, and oranges") to avoid confusion.
3. The mistake: Omitting commas in introductory elements.
   • Why it happens: Failing to recognize introductory elements.
   • How to avoid it: Identify introductory elements and use commas to set them off.
4. The mistake: Using commas to separate items in lists incorrectly.
   • Why it happens: Misunderstanding the rules for commas in lists.
   • How to avoid it: Use the Oxford comma to avoid confusion.
5. The mistake: Failing to set off nonessential clauses with commas in complex sentences.
   • Why it happens: Misunderstanding the rules for commas in nonessential clauses.
   • How to avoid it: Identify nonessential clauses and use commas to set them off.
6. The mistake: Omitting commas in lists with three or more items.
   • Why it happens: Failing to recognize the need for commas in lists.
   • How to avoid it: Use the Oxford comma to avoid confusion.

Practice Questions (3-5 questions)

Question 1
The underlined portion in the sentence below is in the correct position.

A) The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky, and the birds were singing their sweet melodies.
B) The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky and the birds were singing their sweet melodies.
C) The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky, the birds were singing their sweet melodies.
D) The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky, the birds were singing their sweet melodies, and the flowers were blooming.
E) The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky, and the birds were singing their sweet melodies, and the flowers were blooming.

Answer: A Explanation: The underlined portion is a list of items that can stand alone, so it requires a comma to separate it from the main clause.

Question 2
The underlined portion in the sentence below is in the correct position.

A) The new employee, who was hired last week, is expected to start work on Monday.
B) The new employee who was hired last week is expected to start work on Monday.
C) The new employee who was hired last week, is expected to start work on Monday.
D) The new employee, who was hired last week, is expected to start work on Monday, and receive a bonus.
E) The new employee who was hired last week, is expected to start work on Monday, and receive a bonus.

Answer: A Explanation: The underlined portion is a nonessential clause that provides additional information about the new employee, so it requires a comma to set it off.

Question 3
The underlined portion in the sentence below is in the correct position.

A) The company's CEO, John Smith, was interviewed on national television last night.
B) The company's CEO John Smith was interviewed on national television last night.
C) The company's CEO, John Smith, was interviewed on national television last night, and received a standing ovation.
D) The company's CEO John Smith was interviewed on national television last night, and received a standing ovation.
E) The company's CEO, John Smith, was interviewed on national television last night, and received a standing ovation, and gave a great speech.

Answer: A Explanation: The underlined portion is an introductory element that begins the sentence, so it requires a comma to set it off.

Quick Reference Card (60-Second Summary)

• Use commas to separate items in lists.
• Use commas to set off nonessential clauses.
• Use commas to introduce introductory elements.
• Use the Oxford comma to avoid confusion in lists.
• Read the sentence or passage carefully to identify nonessential clauses and introductory elements.
• Eliminate answer choices that clearly violate grammar rules or punctuation conventions.

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

1. Don't panic. Take a deep breath and read the question again.
2. Use the process of elimination to narrow down your options.
3. Check your work by reading the sentence or passage with the underlined portion removed.
4. Skip the question if you're running out of time and come back to it later.

Related ACT Topics

• Parallelism: The use of parallel structure in sentences and lists.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: The use of singular or plural verbs to agree with singular or plural subjects.
• Punctuation with Dashes: The use of dashes to set off nonessential clauses and introductory elements.