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Kristin Fracchia
Lesson by Kristin Fracchia
Magoosh Expert
Summary
Understanding the correct use of commas is crucial for excelling in the ACT English test, as it covers a significant portion of the grammar questions.
  • Commas are primarily used to set off dependent or subordinate clauses, create compound sentences with coordinating conjunctions, and separate lists of items.
  • Technical terms like 'dependent clause' or 'coordinating conjunction' are less important than recognizing their function in sentences.
  • Appositives and participial phrases are examples of information set off by commas for additional, non-essential details.
  • The use of commas before 'which' but not 'that' is based on whether the information is essential to the sentence's meaning.
  • FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) are crucial for creating compound sentences correctly, avoiding comma splices.
Chapters
00:00
Setting Off Clauses and Appositives
00:53
Compound Sentences and Coordinating Conjunctions
01:12
Lists and Non-Essential Information