ACT English: Punctuation - Commas, Joining Independent Clauses with FANBOYS

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Joining Independent Clauses with FANBOYS is a crucial punctuation rule for the ACT's English section. It appears on every English test, and understanding it will help you avoid punctuation errors and boost your score.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• FANBOYS is an acronym for the seven coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.
• These conjunctions join two independent clauses (complete sentences) without using a semicolon or a comma with a conjunction.
• Independent clauses have a subject and a verb.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Read the underlined portion first to identify the punctuation mark.
2. Check if the clauses are independent by looking for a subject and a verb in each clause.
3. Identify the FANBOYS conjunction and confirm it's used correctly.
4. Eliminate answers that use incorrect punctuation or FANBOYS conjunctions.
5. Choose the correct answer based on the grammar rule.

Don't confuse FANBOYS with semicolons or commas with conjunctions.

How It's Tested on the ACT

English questions will feature a sentence or passage with an underlined portion. You'll need to identify the correct punctuation mark (or no punctuation) to join the two independent clauses.

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

• The mistake: Using a semicolon or a comma with a conjunction incorrectly.
• Why it happens: Misunderstanding the FANBOYS rule or rushing through the question.
• How to avoid it: Carefully read the underlined portion and identify the independent clauses before choosing the correct punctuation mark.
• Exam board insight: The ACT examiners penalize punctuation errors, so make sure to double-check your answer.

Practice Questions (3-5 questions)

Question 1

The new policy will boost the company's profits, and it will also create new jobs.

A) boost profits and create new jobs B) boost profits, and create new jobs C) boost profits, and create new jobs D) boost profits, create new jobs E) boost profits, and create new jobs

Answer: B) boost profits, and create new jobs Explanation: The correct punctuation is a comma before the conjunction "and" to join the two independent clauses.

Question 2

The company's new product will be launched next quarter, but the exact date is still unknown.

A) will be launched but the exact date is still unknown B) will be launched, but the exact date is still unknown C) will be launched, but the exact date is still unknown D) will be launched, the exact date is still unknown E) will be launched, but the exact date is still unknown

Answer: B) will be launched, but the exact date is still unknown Explanation: The correct punctuation is a comma before the conjunction "but" to join the two independent clauses.

Quick Reference Card (60-Second Summary)

• FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
• Independent clauses have a subject and a verb
• Use commas to join two independent clauses with FANBOYS conjunctions
• Eliminate semicolons and commas with conjunctions
• Read the underlined portion carefully to identify the correct punctuation mark

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

• Eliminate answers that are clearly incorrect
• Make an educated guess based on the grammar rule
• Pace yourself to avoid running out of time

Related ACT Topics

• Parallel Structure: Use the same grammatical structure for similar phrases or clauses.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the subject and verb agree in number (singular or plural).
• Comma Splices: Avoid using commas to join two independent clauses without a conjunction.