Study guide
2.7 Punctuation, Capitalization, Mechanics & Common Errors
Ateneo College Entrance Test ACET
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1 Chapter 1: Mathematics
1.1 Real Numbers, Ratios, Rates & Percentages 1.2 Algebraic Expressions, Polynomials & Linear Equations 1.3 Functions, Domain/Range, Graphs & Transformations 1.4 Quadratic, Polynomial, Exponential & Logarithmic Equations 1.5 Plane Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Polygons & Perimeter/Area 1.6 Coordinate Geometry: Lines, Distance, Midpoints & Conic Sections 1.7 Trigonometry: Right Triangle Ratios, Unit Circle & Basic Identities 1.8 Arithmetic & Geometric Sequences, Series & Word Patterns 1.9 Permutations, Combinations, Probability & Statistics
2 Chapter 2: English Proficiency
2.1 Subject-Verb Agreement, Verb Tenses & Aspect 2.2 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement, Case, Misplaced & Dangling Modifiers 2.3 Sentence Structure, Run-Ons, Fragments & Parallelism 2.4 Contextual Vocabulary, Word Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes 2.5 Advanced Synonyms, Antonyms & Nuanced Vocabulary 2.6 Verbal Analogies: Relationship Types & Solving Strategies 2.7 Punctuation, Capitalization, Mechanics & Common Errors 2.8 Diction, Idiomatic Expressions, Prepositions & Frequently Confused Words
3 Chapter 3: Reading Comprehension
3.1 Identifying Main Ideas, Central Themes & Paragraph Summaries 3.2 Locating Explicit Details, Supporting Evidence & Data 3.3 Drawing Logical Inferences & Unstated Conclusions 3.4 Analyzing Author's Purpose, Point of View, Tone & Attitude 3.5 Interpreting Figurative Language, Tone Words & Context Clues 3.6 Text Structure, Rhetorical Devices & Evaluating Arguments
4 Chapter 4: Logical and Abstract Reasoning
4.1 Number & Letter Series Patterns & Formulas 4.2 Abstract Reasoning: Matrix Patterns & Figure Rotations 4.3 Formal Syllogisms, Categorical Logic & Deductive Proofs 4.4 Coding-Decoding, Cipher Patterns & Symbol Operations 4.5 Spatial Visualization, Paper Folding & Venn Diagram Logic
5 Chapter 5: General Knowledge
5.1 Philippine History, Government, Constitution & Civics 5.2 Integrated Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Earth Science 5.3 Philippine & World Geography, Basic Economics & Cultural Facts 5.4 Current Events, World Landmarks, Literature & General Trivia
6 Chapter 6: ACET Essay Writing & Exam Strategies
6.1 ACET Essay: Thesis Development, Structuring & Argumentation 6.2 Time Allocation, Pacing Strategies & Subtest Tactics 6.3 Guessing Strategies (No Penalty), Test Anxiety & Exam Day Readiness
2.7 Punctuation, Capitalization, Mechanics & Common Errors
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
Semicolons connect independent clauses without coordinating conjunctions or separate complex items containing internal commas in a series.
Colons must follow a complete independent clause to introduce lists, formal quotes, explanations, or emphasis.
Restrictive (essential) clauses require no commas and use 'that', whereas non-restrictive (non-essential) clauses require surrounding commas and use 'which'.
Apostrophes mark possessive nouns and contractions, but must never be used with possessive pronouns (its, whose, theirs, ours).
Capitalize proper nouns, specific geographic regions, formal titles preceding names, and official course names, but keep general directional and common terms lowercase.
Last updated: July 2026
Punctuation, Capitalization, Mechanics & Common Errors
Punctuation and mechanics govern the structure and legibility of written prose. On the ACET, mechanics questions evaluate your mastery of semicolons, colons, commas, apostrophes, dashes, and capitalization rules. Precision in applying these rules is essential for identifying error-ridden sentences in Written Expression subtests.
- 1. Colon and Semicolon Mechanics
- The Semicolon (;)
The semicolon is a strong punctuation mark used primarily in two contexts:
Joining Independent Clauses: Connects two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Correct: The laboratory data supported the hypothesis; the statistical analysis confirmed the findings.
Separating Complex List Items: Separates items in a series when individual items contain internal commas.
Correct: Delegates attended from Manila, Philippines; Tokyo, Japan; and Seoul, South Korea.
The Colon (:)
The colon acts as a pointer, signaling that details, explanations, or lists follow. Core Rule: The text preceding a colon must be a complete independent clause .
Incorrect: The items required for the chemistry lab include: test tubes, beakers, and pipettes.
Analysis: "The items required for the chemistry lab include" is an incomplete fragment.
Correct Option A: The items required for the chemistry lab are test tubes, beakers, and pipettes.
Correct Option B: The student brought all required items for the chemistry lab: test tubes, beakers, and pipettes.
2. Comma Usage & Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Clauses
Commas separate structural elements to prevent misreading. Key ACET comma rules include:
1. Introductory Clauses and Phrases
Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause or long participial/prepositional phrase.
Correct: Although the budget constraints were severe, the engineering team delivered the project on time.
2. Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Clauses ( That vs. Which )
Restrictive (Essential) Clause: Essential to sentence meaning. Do not use commas. Use that .
Example: The paintings that were damaged during transit have been sent to the restorer.
Meaning: Only the specific damaged paintings were sent (restricts the subset).
Non-Restrictive (Non-Essential) Clause: Adds extra background detail. Must be set off with commas . Use which .
Example: The Mona Lisa, which hangs in the Louvre , attracts millions of visitors annually.
Meaning: The clause provides parenthetical info; removing it leaves sentence meaning intact.
3. Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction ( for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so ) when joining two independent clauses.
Correct: The rainfall was heavy, but the flood control system prevented severe damage.
3. Apostrophes and Possessive Mechanics
Apostrophes indicate ownership or contraction. ACET test-makers repeatedly test apostrophe errors involving possessive pronouns.
Word Type / Function Example Usage
Its Possessive Pronoun (No apostrophe!) The university updated its research policy.
It's Contraction ( It is or It has ) It's certain that the results will be published.
Whose Possessive Pronoun The professor whose book won the award is lecturing.
Who's Contraction ( Who is or Who has ) Who's attending the keynote address today?
Their Possessive Pronoun The students submitted their papers.
They're Contraction ( They are ) They're conducting experiments in Lab B.
Noun Possessives
Singular Noun: Add 's ( "the student's locker" , "Charles's book" ).
Plural Noun ending in -s: Add only an apostrophe ( "the students' lockers" ).
Irregular Plural Noun: Add 's ( "the children's playground" , "women's rights" ).
4. Capitalization Standards
Geographic Regions vs. Directions: Capitalize specific regions ( "the North", "Southeast Asia" ), but keep simple compass directions lowercase ( "drive south for ten miles" ).
Job Titles: Capitalize titles when directly preceding a proper name ( "Dean Cruz" , "President Santos" ), but use lowercase when the title stands alone ( "the dean of the college" , "the university president" ).
Academic Subjects: Capitalize specific official course titles containing numbers or language names ( "History 101", "Spanish", "Organic Chemistry II" ), but use lowercase for general discipline names ( "history", "chemistry", "biology" ).
5. Dashes, Hyphens, Parenthetical Mechanics & Advanced Mechanics Traps
Em-Dash (—): Indicates a sudden shift in thought or sets off an emphatic parenthetical phrase. ( "The results—surprising to even the senior researchers—altered the trial outcome." )
Hyphen (-): Joins compound adjectives appearing before nouns ( "a well-known scholar" vs. "the scholar is well known" ; "a five-year-old project" vs. "the project is five years old" ).
Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation: Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks in standard American/Philippine academic English, whereas semicolons and colons go outside unless part of the original quotation.
Parentheses: Used for secondary supplementary information. Punctuation goes outside the parenthesis unless the parenthetical unit forms an entire independent sentence.
Summary of Mechanics Discipline: Mastering these punctuation mechanics and avoiding apostrophe and comma placement traps will significantly enhance your precision on ACET written expression questions.