SAT Grammar Rules Overview

Overview

This lecture covers the essential SAT grammar rules needed for the Writing & Language section, emphasizing punctuation, sentence structure, transitions, and common errors tested on the exam.

Equivalency of Punctuation Marks

• Periods and semicolons can both join two independent clauses.
• Use a semicolon or period before conjunctive adverbs (e.g., however, therefore) joining independent clauses.

Colons and Dashes

• Colons and dashes are interchangeable before lists or explanations.
• Use a colon or dash only after a complete statement, not immediately following "such as" or "including."
• When separating two sentences, a colon or dash functions like a period or semicolon.

Commas and FANBOYS

• Comma precedes coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when joining independent clauses.

Commas with Dependent Clauses

• Separate a dependent clause from an independent clause with a comma when the dependent clause comes first.

Transition Words

• Choose transition words/phrases based on meaning (contrast, addition, cause) and not just grammatical correctness.

Non-Essential Information

• Surround non-essential phrases with either commas or dashes; do not mix punctuation.

Additional Uses of Commas

• Use commas to separate items in a list of three or more.
• Use commas between adjectives whose order could be reversed.

Apostrophe Rules and Homophones

• "It's" = it is; "its" = possessive.
• "They're" = they are; "their" = possessive; "there" = location.
• "Who's" = who is; "whose" = possessive.
• Possessive plurals: add apostrophe after "s" (e.g., cells’ walls).

Compound Subjects and Pronoun Agreement

• Ensure compound subjects and pronouns agree; sound out sentences for correctness.

Verb Tenses

• Maintain consistent verb tense within sentences.
• Use "have been" with "for" or "since" to indicate duration up to the present.
• Use simple past form for one-time past actions.

Passive Voice

• Prefer active voice; passive constructions are less direct and usually incorrect.

Parallel Structure

• Items in a series must have the same grammatical form (e.g., running, singing, dancing).

Dangling Modifiers

• Introductory phrase must modify the noun immediately following it.

Faulty Comparisons

• Only compare similar types of things (e.g., videos to videos, not videos to people).

Quantity Words

• Use "number, many, fewer" with plural nouns; "amount, much, less" with singular nouns.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Independent Clause — a sentence that can stand alone.
• Conjunctive Adverb — transition word joining independent clauses (e.g., however).
• Dependent Clause — cannot stand alone; needs an independent clause.
• FANBOYS — coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
• Non-essential Information — extra detail that can be removed without changing core meaning.
• Parallel Structure — using the same grammatical form for similar elements.
• Passive Voice — subject receives the action (e.g., "The cake was eaten by Bob").
• Dangling Modifier — descriptive phrase not clearly attached to what it’s modifying.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Download and review the SAT grammar rule PDF handout.
• Practice reading SAT passages aloud before the exam for familiarity.
• Take full-length, timed practice tests in a digital testing environment.
• Review and apply these grammar rules during daily SAT practice sessions.