top 10 grammar basics to master before taking the act or sat

1 0 G R A M M A R B A S I C S T O M A S T E R

B E F O R E T A K I N G

T H E A C T O R S A T

O X F O R D T U T O R I N G . C O M

It might surprise you toknow that many of our

high school students cometo us not having reviewed

basic grammar sinceelementary school.

always starts with a basicgrammar review.

That is why our EnglishACT and SAT preparation

1 0G R A M M A RB A S I C S

Nouns

Pronouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Adverbs

Prepositions

Conjunctions

Infinitives

Gerunds

Participles

#1 NOUNS

Nouns represent a person,

place, thing, or idea.

She showed great couragewhen faced with the death

of her husband.I N A S E N T E N C E

#2 PRONOUNS

Pronouns take the place of

nouns.

After Marie won the tennistournament, she thanked

her coach and her parents.I N A S E N T E N C E

#3 VERBS

Verbs can be action, helping,

or linking.

Elyse is training for amarathon; she wants to

race in six months.I N A S E N T E N C E

#4ADJECTIVES

Adjectives modify nouns;

they answer the questions

"Which one?"; "What kind?";

"How many?"

The large dog with theshaggy coat played with the

three rambunctiouschildren.

I N A S E N T E N C E

#5ADVERBS

Adverbs modify verbs,

adjectives, or another

adverb; it answers the

questions "How?"; "When?";

"Where?"; and "Why?".

My lovely cat usually sleepsquietly on the kitchen table.

I N A S E N T E N C E

#6PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions show the

relationship between the two

nouns, usually location or

direction; always comes with

a phrase.

I ran barefoot through thesoccer field and stepped on

a cleat.I N A S E N T E N C E

#7CONJUNCTIONS

Coordinating ­ connects

related words, phrases, or

clauses.

Correlative ­ comes in pairs.

Subordinating ­ creates a

dependent clause.

Marc likes to eat, but hedoesn't like to exercise.

C O O R D I N A T I N G C O N J U N C T I O N S I N A S E N T E N C E

I want not only a bike butalso a coat for my birthday.

C O R R E L A T I V E C O N J U N C T I O N S I N A S E N T E N C E

Although Paulina wants togo with us to the game, she

has to finish her homework.S U B O R D I N A T I N G C O N J U N C T I O N S I N A S E N T E N C E

#8INFINITIVES

to + verb; acts like a noun

Gerald wants to go to Europenext year to study abroad.

I N A S E N T E N C E

#9GERUNDS

verb + ing; acts like a noun

Hiking and running are mytwo favorite activities.

I N A S E N T E N C E

#10PARTICIPLES

Past ­ verb + ed

Present ­ verb + ing

Act like adjectives.

While tying her runningshoes, Rita sat in a broken

chair.I N A S E N T E N C E

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