Overview
This lesson reviews the rules and uses of punctuation marks—commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes—as tested on the SAT, including tips for identifying and correcting punctuation errors.
Punctuation on the SAT
- SAT punctuation questions focus on commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes.
- Proper punctuation is essential for linking clauses, supplementing sentences, and avoiding unnecessary marks.
Commas (,)
- Use commas to separate items in a list of three or more.
- Use commas to set off nonessential elements from the sentence.
- Use commas to link a dependent clause to an independent clause.
- Use commas with coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) to link independent clauses.
- Do not use a comma to split a subject and verb.
- Do not place a comma before a preposition.
- Do not use a comma for a list of two items.
Semicolons (;)
- Use semicolons to join two independent clauses without a conjunction.
- Use semicolons to separate complex list items that already include commas.
- Do not use a semicolon unless both sides are independent clauses or the list requires it.
Colons (:)
- A colon can appear only after an independent clause.
- Use a colon to introduce an explanation, extra information, or a list.
- Any other use of a colon is incorrect.
Dashes (—)
- Use dashes only to separate nonessential elements from the rest of the sentence.
- Using dashes in other ways is incorrect.
Identifying Punctuation Questions
- Look for answer choices that add, remove, or change punctuation marks.
- If no punctuation changes appear in choices, the question may not be about punctuation.
Punctuation Answer Strategy
- Eliminate answers that break the subject-verb rule or misuse semicolons/colons.
- Pick the answer with correct punctuation or none if no mark is needed.
Top Tips for Punctuation
- For semicolons, check for independent clauses on both sides.
- For colons, ensure an independent clause comes before the colon.
- Double-check if a comma is necessary and used correctly.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Independent clause — a complete sentence that can stand alone.
- Dependent clause — a phrase that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
- Nonessential element — additional information that can be removed without changing the sentence's basic meaning.
- FANBOYS — acronym for coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice punctuation questions to reinforce these rules.
- Review additional examples and worked problems in the SAT Reading and Writing section.