#act punctuation

[leannedodge]

Colons

How do you know when to use a colon? Check to see if these two statements are true about the sentence in question: 1. There is a complete sentence before the colon 2. There is a list or explanation after the colon (this could be one word or a much longer list or explanation) Take a look at the following sentence: I like to go many places, such as: the beach, the mountains, and the library. Let’s try the test. Is there a complete sentence before the colon? No. We’re done—the colon above is incorrect. On the ACT, the first test is typically the more important one. On the SAT, a sentence may pass the first test but fail the second.

[leannedodge]

Although the SAT and ACT will never test you on the Oxford comma (the optional comma before the "and" in a list of three or more items), here's a reminder of the importance of how punctuation conveys meaning in a sentence. Personally, I admit that I am a believer in the Oxford comma. Read the article to see how the absence or presence of a comma can completely change the interpretation of a law.