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Grammar Basics

Kristin Fracchia
Lesson by Kristin Fracchia
Magoosh Expert
Summary
This lesson covers essential grammar basics crucial for the ACT English section, focusing on sentence structure and the subject-verb-object (SVO) order.
  • Understanding what constitutes a sentence is fundamental; it requires both a subject and a verb.
  • Gerunds (verbs ending in 'ing') do not act as verbs without a helping verb, affecting sentence validity.
  • The insertion of words like 'that' can transform a potential sentence into a noun phrase, thus not a complete sentence.
  • English follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, which is pivotal for constructing clear and concise sentences.
  • Choosing the clearest sentence structure, typically SVO, is essential for conveying ideas effectively on the ACT.
Chapters
00:00
Understanding Sentence Structure
00:55
The Role of Gerunds and Helping Verbs
03:29
Mastering SVO for Clarity