1. Special ACT tip: When using “than” in a comparison, any pronoun that follows it should be in the subject (not object) form because there is an implied verb. Example: I am taller than he. (I am taller than he is.) NOT, I am taller than him. Example: Their team played better than we… (did). NOT, their team played better than us. This is always a grammar question on the ACT—sometimes several. When speaking, since using the subject pronoun sounds weird, always say the implied verb. Then you will not make the mistake. Using than in comparisons

2. Than = a word used in comparisons – Soon, Amanda’s daughter will be taller than she is. Then = next – Chelsea went to the bank, and then went shopping for shoes. Grammar Tip of the Day

3. They’re = contraction for “they are” – They are going to enjoy dinner. Their = they own or have something – The foreign exchange students often lost their way around the school. There = a place like “here” but farther away, OR as a pronoun that can also be used to start a sentence in front of “be” verbs such as is, are, was, were, have been, will be, etc. – Please put the papers over there. – There is always more to learn. There have always been students who really struggle with this topic. There will be a quiz on just these three words tomorrow. Grammar Tip of the Day

4. Used to means you did it before. As in: I used to play golf (when or whenever?) I was in middle school. – Use to is NEVER correct. The problem is that the final “d” sound in “used” gets lost with the following “t” sound of “to.” Supposed to means you are expected to do something. As in: You are supposed to put a “d” on the words “suppose” and “use” before the word “to.” – Suppose to is NEVER correct. Same pronunciation problem as “used to”—the final “d” sound gets lost with the following “t” sound. Grammar Tip of the Day

5. When = a time that something happens or happened or will happen – When I was about five years old, my family moved to Ohio. – I liked to play outside when I was younger. (Not whenever because you definitely were younger) Whenever = when and IF something will happen – Whenever I get a chance, I’m going to go on vacation. Grammar Tip of the Day

6. Who = subject form, usually starts a sentence, can be replaced with “he” to test it – Who is that? – I am the one who will accept you. Whom = object form, usually follows a preposition like “to, from, for”, can be replaced with “him” as a test. – For Whom the Bell Tolls is a book by Hemingway. – No one ever told me with whom I was supposed to meet. Grammar Tip of the Day

7. Who’s = contraction for “who is” – Who’s going to the prom? – I wonder who’s going out with Becca now. – Test with “he’s”. Whose = who owns something – Whose bookbag is this? – I wonder whose truck that is. – Test with “his.” Grammar Tip of the Day

8. Your= you own or have something, always followed by a thing – In a few years, you will be on your own. You’re = contraction for “you are”, often followed by a verb – You’re going to be an adult in a few years. – If you think I’m going to let you drive after you’ve been drinking, you’re drunker than I thought. Grammar Tip of the Day