SAT Grammar and Sentence Structure

Key Idiom: Seeing the Big Picture

• Can't see the forest for the trees:
  • Meaning: Focusing too much on details and missing the overall structure
  • Application to SAT Grammar: Avoid getting bogged down in verb forms without understanding sentence structure

Main Lesson Goal

• Focus on big picture sentence structure
• Categorize verbs simply: verbs starting with to or ending with ing
• Remember: Not every SAT verb tense question involves this rule

Example Sentences

1. Correct Answer Choice A:

   • "Some legal experts who cite the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause argue that the Bill of Rights applies to the states."
   • Sentence sounds complete

2. Incorrect Answer Choice B:

   • "Some legal experts who cite the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause to argue that the Bill of Rights applies to the states."
   • Sentence feels incomplete, voice goes up at the end suggesting continuation

3. Incorrect Answer Choice C:

   • "Some legal experts who cite the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause arguing that the Bill of Rights applies to the states."
   • Sentence also sounds incomplete

Change in Sentence Structure

• Example 2 (deleting "who") makes Choice B correct:

  • "Some legal experts cite the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause to argue that the Bill of Rights applies to the states."

• Example 3 (adding a comma) makes Choice C correct:

  • "Some legal experts cite the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause, arguing that the Bill of Rights applies to the states."

Understanding Sentence Structure

• The two and ing verb forms aren't strong enough to anchor a sentence alone
• Simple version: "Some legal experts argue." Removing "who..." clause still leaves a complete sentence
• With "to" form, the main verb becomes "cite." The "to argue" adds description, not part of core sentence
• With comma: ing verbs excel for extra comma clauses. Example: "Some legal experts cite...arguing..."

Guidelines

1. Always read the entire sentence:

   • Example: "Author Jeevus uses only emojis in her works to retell the plots of classic novels"
   • Cutting too short may change answer

2. Cut extra parts if needed:

   • Remove extra sentences, clauses, descriptions, etc.
   • Identify main sentence structure

3. Hear the Structure:

   • Example: "Crystallography employs techniques to map the structures of compounds"
   • "Employs" is the main verb; removing it changes sentence
   • Extra Description: Adding ing or to form depending on clauses and commas

4. When to Use To or Ing:

   • Primary verbs anchor sentences
   • To/In
   • Which/That clauses usually need primary verbs
   • Use To or Ing for added descriptions

Final Review

• Make sure question tests the two and ing rule
• Read the entire sentence for big picture
• Remove extra parts to see the blank's relationship
• Trust how choices sound when read in your head
• Priority: Other grammar rules are more straightforward and frequent, handle these first
• Flexibility: Be adaptable with structure understanding
• Limits: Two and ing questions appear once or twice on each SAT

Conclusion

• Emphasis on big picture sentence structure
• Strategies for two and ing questions
• Trust your ear for sentence flow