web02.fireside.fm Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:22:28 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Chad Cargill's ACT Test Prep - Episodes Tagged with “Grammar” https://podcast.chadcargill.com/tags/grammar Thu, 25 Mar 2021 11:15:00 -0500 Chad Cargill took the ACT test 18 times in high school raising his score 13 points and scoring in the 99.5 percentile. He is the nation's leading ACT test prep workshop presenter having taught nearly 250,000 students over the last 32 years. He travels the Midwest each school day teaching students, faculty, and parents how to beat the ACT. His full workshop schedule can be found at calendar.chadcargill.com. His website is chadcargill.com. en-us episodic Practical tips to increase ACT scores and win scholarships Chad Cargill Chad Cargill took the ACT test 18 times in high school raising his score 13 points and scoring in the 99.5 percentile. He is the nation's leading ACT test prep workshop presenter having taught nearly 250,000 students over the last 32 years. He travels the Midwest each school day teaching students, faculty, and parents how to beat the ACT. His full workshop schedule can be found at calendar.chadcargill.com. His website is chadcargill.com. no act, chad cargill, high school, prep, qualify, scholarships, test, classes Chad Cargill chad@chadcargill.com 54: Master the Dash and Raise Your English Score Now https://podcast.chadcargill.com/54 e05bf738-9aa8-4a9d-82a5-72561bc92845 Thu, 25 Mar 2021 11:15:00 -0500 Chad Cargill full 2 Chad Cargill Most students pick a dash if it looks good. Many test-takers have no idea the rules for using the dash. A dash is on almost every ACT test you take. In this episode, we'll review the rule for a dash and look at examples how it is used. 19:41 no Most students pick a dash if it looks good. Many test-takers have no idea the rules for using the dash. A dash is on almost every ACT test you take. In this episode, we'll review the rule for a dash and look at examples how it is used. English, ACT, test prep, dash, grammar Most students pick a dash if it looks good. Many test-takers have no idea the rules for using the dash. A dash is on almost every ACT test you take. In this episode, we'll review the rule for a dash and look at examples how it is used.

]]> Most students pick a dash if it looks good. Many test-takers have no idea the rules for using the dash. A dash is on almost every ACT test you take. In this episode, we'll review the rule for a dash and look at examples how it is used.

]]> Episode 40: How To Correctly Use Who and Whom https://podcast.chadcargill.com/40 4ecc8caa-037b-427f-9597-1300a0774f05 Thu, 12 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -0600 Chad Cargill full 2 Chad Cargill In high school, choosing between who and whom was very difficult for me. But once I learned a simple trick, this became one of the easiest things in the English language. In this episode, we dive back into the English section of the ACT and learn when to pick who and when to choose whom. 18:55 no In high school, choosing between who and whom was very difficult for me. But once I learned a simple trick, this became one of the easiest things in the English language. In this episode, we dive back into the English section of the ACT and learn when to pick who and when to choose whom. Louis Zamporini is a man _ I respect. It was King Henry VIII _ had six wives. I talked with Teresa _ was trying to paint the walls of her new living room. There is the new student _ you were asking about. For _ did Molly vote? _ will give the graduation speech on Friday evening? Our new neighbor, _ we met yesterday morning, works at Conoco. With _ are you rooming with for your freshman year at college? whom 2. who 3. who 4. whom 5. whom 6. Who 7. whom 8. whom He gave it to John and me/I. John and me/I went to the game. Between you and me/I, let's keep that a secret. English, ACT, test prep, who, whom, grammar In high school, choosing between who and whom was very difficult for me. But once I learned a simple trick, this became one of the easiest things in the English language. In this episode, we dive back into the English section of the ACT and learn when to pick who and when to choose whom.

  1. Louis Zamporini is a man _ I respect.
  2. It was King Henry VIII _ had six wives.
  3. I talked with Teresa _ was trying to paint the walls of her new living room.
  4. There is the new student _ you were asking about.
  5. For _ did Molly vote?
  6. _ will give the graduation speech on Friday evening?
  7. Our new neighbor, _ we met yesterday morning, works at Conoco.

  8. With _ are you rooming with for your freshman year at college?

  9. whom 2. who 3. who 4. whom 5. whom 6. Who 7. whom 8. whom

He gave it to John and me/I.

John and me/I went to the game.

Between you and me/I, let's keep that a secret.

]]> In high school, choosing between who and whom was very difficult for me. But once I learned a simple trick, this became one of the easiest things in the English language. In this episode, we dive back into the English section of the ACT and learn when to pick who and when to choose whom.

  1. Louis Zamporini is a man _ I respect.
  2. It was King Henry VIII _ had six wives.
  3. I talked with Teresa _ was trying to paint the walls of her new living room.
  4. There is the new student _ you were asking about.
  5. For _ did Molly vote?
  6. _ will give the graduation speech on Friday evening?
  7. Our new neighbor, _ we met yesterday morning, works at Conoco.

  8. With _ are you rooming with for your freshman year at college?

  9. whom 2. who 3. who 4. whom 5. whom 6. Who 7. whom 8. whom

He gave it to John and me/I.

John and me/I went to the game.

Between you and me/I, let's keep that a secret.

]]> Episode 34: How to Correctly Use Indefinite Pronouns and Raise English ACT Scores https://podcast.chadcargill.com/34 81d277a4-b95f-447a-890e-0aee37569b11 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0500 Chad Cargill full 2 Chad Cargill Often, indefinite pronouns are used incorrectly. Even though I teach how to use them, I still make mistakes. Today I’m going to explain how to correctly use indefinite pronouns. And stick around for the end of the episode because I’ll tell you a small part of our adoptive family story. 22:52 no Often, indefinite pronouns are used incorrectly. Even though I teach how to use them, I still make mistakes. Today I’m going to explain how to correctly use indefinite pronouns. And stick around for the end of the episode because I’ll tell you a small part of our adoptive family story. Learn more about embryo adoption at https://www.embryodonation.org. Join Last Chance Prep Oct 2020 and you will: • Review Key Content Asked on ACTs • Solidify Your Knowledge of Math Formulas and Calculator Usage • Verify Your Method and Timing in Reading • Be Able to Ask Last Minute Questions Directly to Chad Cargill • Reduce Test Anxiety • Have Confidence You are Ready • Crush Any Last Minute Weaknesses https://academy.chadcargill.com English, ACT, test prep, indefinite pronouns, grammar, embryo, adoption, snowflake, Often, indefinite pronouns are used incorrectly. Even though I teach how to use them, I still make mistakes. Today I’m going to explain how to correctly use indefinite pronouns. And stick around for the end of the episode because I’ll tell you a small part of our adoptive family story.

Learn more about embryo adoption at https://www.embryodonation.org.

Join Last Chance Prep Oct 2020 and you will:
• Review Key Content Asked on ACTs
• Solidify Your Knowledge of Math Formulas and Calculator Usage
• Verify Your Method and Timing in Reading
• Be Able to Ask Last Minute Questions Directly to Chad Cargill
• Reduce Test Anxiety
• Have Confidence You are Ready
• Crush Any Last Minute Weaknesses

https://academy.chadcargill.com

]]> Often, indefinite pronouns are used incorrectly. Even though I teach how to use them, I still make mistakes. Today I’m going to explain how to correctly use indefinite pronouns. And stick around for the end of the episode because I’ll tell you a small part of our adoptive family story.

Learn more about embryo adoption at https://www.embryodonation.org.

Join Last Chance Prep Oct 2020 and you will:
• Review Key Content Asked on ACTs
• Solidify Your Knowledge of Math Formulas and Calculator Usage
• Verify Your Method and Timing in Reading
• Be Able to Ask Last Minute Questions Directly to Chad Cargill
• Reduce Test Anxiety
• Have Confidence You are Ready
• Crush Any Last Minute Weaknesses

https://academy.chadcargill.com

]]> Episode 19: Master These 5 Comma Rules and Raise Your ACT Score https://podcast.chadcargill.com/19 686df874-53a9-45a6-86ad-f03c4a0cab12 Thu, 18 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -0500 Chad Cargill full 1 Chad Cargill Master these five comma rules and watch your ACT English score soar. 18:06 no There are five key comma rules you must know to score well in ACT English. 1. Use a comma to separate main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. The common coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. A main clause is one that has both a subject (s) and a verb (v). EX: We went to the store, and we spent our money. S/V, and S/V. -Some memorize the conjunctions with the word FAN BOYS 2. Set off words, phrases, and clauses that are not needed (nonessential). Use commas around nonessential, transitional, or contrasting information. Non-restrictive elements function much like appositives. 3 Examples Below: 1. Intense preparation, then, is known to produce higher test scores. (transitional) 2. Robert Frost, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is known for his poem “Birches.” (nonessential) 3. Robert Kurson, not Stephen King, is my favorite author. (contrasting) 3. Use a comma after an introductory phrase, clause, and adverb. Short introductory prepositional phrases do not require commas unless needed for clarity. 3 Examples Below: 1. To be able to compete on the collegiate level, many high school athletes practice their sport all year. 2. If you are counting on a college scholarship, pay attention to your grades, class rank, community service, and standardized test scores. 3. Occasionally, the person actually responsible for the vandalism will be caught and pay the damage. 4. A series can be defined as three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence that have the same grammatical rank. EX: I am taking biology, calculus and history. -The comma before the word _and _is optional. 5. Use commas to separate adjectives in a series that describe the same word. EX: The old, blue shirt was worn today. EX: The dark blue shirt was worn today. The second sentence does not have a comma between dark and blue because dark describes blue; whereas, in the first sentence old does not describe blue. -Can you replace the comma with the word and? -Can you reverse the words? Pages 41-49 of Chad Cargill's ACT prep book provides these rules, examples, exercises, and model ACT questions. I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com (http://scholarships.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now. For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to testday.chadcargill.com (testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast. If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Chad-Cargill-Workshops-22077611182/?ref=bookmarks) page. To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com (http://calendar.chadcargill.com). You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email penny@chadcargill.com. chadcargill.com (http://www.chadcargill.com) Twitter: @ChadCargill Thanks for listening to the podcast! English, ACT, test prep, commas, grammar There are five key comma rules you must know to score well in ACT English.

1. Use a comma to separate main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. The common coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. A main clause is one that has both a subject (s) and a verb (v).

EX: We went to the store, and we spent our money.
S/V, and S/V.

-Some memorize the conjunctions with the word FAN BOYS

2. Set off words, phrases, and clauses that are not needed (nonessential). Use commas around nonessential, transitional, or contrasting information. Non-restrictive elements function much like appositives.

3 Examples Below:

  1. Intense preparation, then, is known to produce higher test scores. (transitional)
  2. Robert Frost, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is known for his poem “Birches.” (nonessential)
  3. Robert Kurson, not Stephen King, is my favorite author. (contrasting)

3. Use a comma after an introductory phrase, clause, and adverb. Short introductory prepositional phrases do not require commas unless needed for clarity.
3 Examples Below:

  1. To be able to compete on the collegiate level, many high school athletes practice their sport all year.
  2. If you are counting on a college scholarship, pay attention to your grades, class rank, community service, and standardized test scores.
  3. Occasionally, the person actually responsible for the vandalism will be caught and pay the damage.

4. A series can be defined as three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence that have the same grammatical rank.
EX: I am taking biology, calculus and history.

-The comma before the word _and _is optional.

5. Use commas to separate adjectives in a series that describe the same word.
EX: The old, blue shirt was worn today.
EX: The dark blue shirt was worn today. The second sentence does not have a comma between dark and blue because dark describes blue; whereas, in the first sentence old does not describe blue.

-Can you replace the comma with the word and?
-Can you reverse the words?

Pages 41-49 of Chad Cargill's ACT prep book provides these rules, examples, exercises, and model ACT questions.

I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com, and get your guide now.

For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to [testday.chadcargill.com](testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now.

If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast.

If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook page.

To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com. You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email penny@chadcargill.com.

chadcargill.com
Twitter: @ChadCargill

Thanks for listening to the podcast!

]]> There are five key comma rules you must know to score well in ACT English.

1. Use a comma to separate main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. The common coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. A main clause is one that has both a subject (s) and a verb (v).

EX: We went to the store, and we spent our money.
S/V, and S/V.

-Some memorize the conjunctions with the word FAN BOYS

2. Set off words, phrases, and clauses that are not needed (nonessential). Use commas around nonessential, transitional, or contrasting information. Non-restrictive elements function much like appositives.

3 Examples Below:

  1. Intense preparation, then, is known to produce higher test scores. (transitional)
  2. Robert Frost, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is known for his poem “Birches.” (nonessential)
  3. Robert Kurson, not Stephen King, is my favorite author. (contrasting)

3. Use a comma after an introductory phrase, clause, and adverb. Short introductory prepositional phrases do not require commas unless needed for clarity.
3 Examples Below:

  1. To be able to compete on the collegiate level, many high school athletes practice their sport all year.
  2. If you are counting on a college scholarship, pay attention to your grades, class rank, community service, and standardized test scores.
  3. Occasionally, the person actually responsible for the vandalism will be caught and pay the damage.

4. A series can be defined as three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence that have the same grammatical rank.
EX: I am taking biology, calculus and history.

-The comma before the word _and _is optional.

5. Use commas to separate adjectives in a series that describe the same word.
EX: The old, blue shirt was worn today.
EX: The dark blue shirt was worn today. The second sentence does not have a comma between dark and blue because dark describes blue; whereas, in the first sentence old does not describe blue.

-Can you replace the comma with the word and?
-Can you reverse the words?

Pages 41-49 of Chad Cargill's ACT prep book provides these rules, examples, exercises, and model ACT questions.

I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com, and get your guide now.

For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to [testday.chadcargill.com](testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now.

If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast.

If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook page.

To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com. You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email penny@chadcargill.com.

chadcargill.com
Twitter: @ChadCargill

Thanks for listening to the podcast!

]]>