Grammar Rules For The Sat

Mastering Grammar Rules for the SAT: Your Comprehensive Guide to Success

The SAT's grammar section can feel like a daunting obstacle, but with the right strategy and understanding of the underlying grammar rules, you can conquer it. This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential grammar rules frequently tested on the SAT, providing clear explanations, practice examples, and tips to boost your score. Understanding these rules isn't just about acing the test; it's about improving your overall writing skills.

I. Introduction: Understanding the SAT Writing and Language Section

The SAT Writing and Language section assesses your ability to improve passages by identifying and correcting errors in grammar, usage, and style. The questions are presented within the context of passages, requiring you to analyze sentences, paragraphs, and the overall flow of information. While vocabulary is important, the majority of points hinge on your grasp of grammar principles. This section tests your understanding of:

• Sentence Structure: Correct subject-verb agreement, parallel structure, and proper punctuation.
• Grammar and Usage: Identifying errors in pronoun usage, verb tense, and modifiers.
• Style and Tone: Choosing the most effective word choice and sentence structure to convey meaning clearly and concisely.
• Organization: Understanding the logical flow of ideas within a paragraph and the passage as a whole.

II. Key Grammar Rules Tested on the SAT

Let's dive into the specific grammar rules you need to master for the SAT.

A. Subject-Verb Agreement:

This is a foundational rule. The verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. Tricky scenarios often involve intervening phrases or compound subjects.

• Example: The flock of geese flies south for the winter. (Singular verb "flies" agrees with the singular subject "flock.")
• Example: The dog and the cat are playing together. (Plural verb "are" agrees with the plural compound subject.)

Common Errors: Intervening phrases can confuse you. The subject always comes before the verb, regardless of what comes between them.

B. Pronoun Agreement and Usage:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents (the nouns they replace) in number, gender, and person. Avoid ambiguous pronoun references.

• Correct: Sarah brought her book to class. ("Her" clearly refers to Sarah.)
• Incorrect: The students left their backpacks in the hall, but it was never found. ("It" is ambiguous; it should be "they".)

Common Errors: Using the wrong pronoun case (subjective, objective, possessive) and unclear pronoun references.

C. Parallel Structure:

When listing items or ideas, use parallel grammatical structure. All items in a list should have the same grammatical form (nouns, verbs, clauses, etc.).

• Correct: She enjoys swimming, running, and cycling. (All are gerunds.)
• Incorrect: He likes to read, writing, and to hike. (Not parallel; mix of infinitive and gerunds.)

Common Errors: Inconsistent use of gerunds, infinitives, or clauses within lists.

D. Verb Tense Consistency:

Maintain consistent verb tense throughout your writing. Shifting tenses unnecessarily can confuse the reader.

• Correct: She walked to the store and bought some milk. (Past tense consistently used.)
• Incorrect: She walks to the store and bought some milk. (Mix of present and past tense.)

Common Errors: Unnecessary shifts between past, present, and future tenses.

E. Modifiers:

Modifiers should be placed close to the words they modify to avoid ambiguity. Misplaced or dangling modifiers are common errors.

• Correct: Running down the street, I saw a cat. (The modifier "running down the street" clearly modifies "I.")
• Incorrect: Running down the street, a cat was seen. (Dangling modifier; it's unclear what was running.)

Common Errors: Misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers.

F. Commas, Semicolons, and Colons:

Mastering punctuation is crucial.

• Commas: Use commas to separate items in a list, set off introductory phrases, separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), and in other specific situations.
• Semicolons: Use semicolons to join two closely related independent clauses.
• Colons: Use colons to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation.

Common Errors: Incorrect comma usage (comma splices, run-on sentences), misuse of semicolons, and inappropriate use of colons.

G. Idioms:

Idioms are phrases whose meaning cannot be deduced from the individual words. The SAT tests your understanding of correct idiomatic expressions. Familiarity through practice is key.

• Correct: She is accustomed to working long hours.
• Incorrect: She is accustomed with working long hours.

Common Errors: Incorrect preposition usage in idiomatic expressions.

H. Word Choice (Diction):

Select the most precise and effective word to convey your meaning. Avoid clichés, jargon, and vague language.

Common Errors: Using the wrong word (e.g., affect/effect, its/it's, their/there/they're), employing inappropriate word choice for the context.

III. Strategies for the SAT Writing and Language Section

Beyond mastering grammar rules, effective strategies are essential for success.

1. Read the Passage Carefully: Thoroughly read the entire passage before attempting to answer any questions. Understand the main idea and the flow of information.

2. Identify the Question Type: Recognize whether the question focuses on grammar, usage, style, organization, or a combination.

3. Eliminate Incorrect Answers: Process of elimination is powerful. Quickly eliminate obviously wrong answers.

4. Focus on the Underlined Portion: Concentrate on the specific underlined portion and its context within the passage.

5. Check for Errors: Systematically check for subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement, parallel structure, verb tense consistency, modifier placement, punctuation, and idiomatic expressions.

6. Read Aloud (Optional): Reading the revised sentence aloud can help you identify awkward phrasing or grammatical inconsistencies.

7. Trust Your Intuition: If you have a strong feeling about an answer, go with it. Your instincts often lead you to the correct choice.

IV. Practice and Resources:

Consistent practice is key. Use official SAT practice tests and question banks to familiarize yourself with the test format and question types. Review your mistakes and identify areas where you need more practice.

V. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: How much grammar do I need to know for the SAT? A: A strong foundational knowledge of grammar is essential. Focus on the rules outlined above.

• Q: What if I don't know the answer to a question? A: Use process of elimination to narrow down your choices. Don't leave any questions unanswered. Guessing is better than leaving it blank.

• Q: How can I improve my grammar skills quickly? A: Practice consistently with official SAT materials and review your mistakes carefully. Identify your weaknesses and focus on those areas.

• Q: Are there any specific grammar books recommended for SAT prep? A: Many grammar workbooks and prep books specifically target the SAT. Choose one that aligns with your learning style.

VI. Conclusion: Achieving SAT Grammar Mastery

Mastering grammar for the SAT is attainable with diligent effort and a strategic approach. By understanding the key grammar rules, practicing consistently, and employing effective test-taking strategies, you can significantly improve your score and boost your chances of getting into your dream college. Remember, the journey to mastering grammar is not just about acing the SAT; it's about becoming a more confident and skilled writer. Dedication and practice are your keys to success.