Master these essential grammar rules to ace the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section.
The Digital SAT Reading and Writing section tests grammar knowledge through 'Standard English Conventions' questions. These questions typically test a variety of grammar rules, including subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, pronoun-antecedent agreement, and more.
Understanding these rules is crucial not only for this section but also for overall reading comprehension and clear communication. This guide will explain 18 key SAT grammar rules tested on the SAT, how they're tested, and give examples and practice questions to help you succeed.
Rule: Subjects and verbs must agree in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. This rule is often tested by separating the subject and verb with phrases.
How it's tested: The SAT will try to trick you with phrases or clauses between the subject and verb, making it harder to identify the true subject.
Examples:
Correct: The doctor with the white coat works at the local hospital.
This is correct because the singular subject "doctor" agrees with the singular verb "works". The phrase "with the white coat" doesn't affect the agreement.
Incorrect: The players on the team wants to win the championship.
This is incorrect because the plural subject "players" doesn't agree with the singular verb "wants". Don't be fooled by the singular "team" - "players" is the subject.
Correct: The players on the team want to win the championship.
This is correct because the plural subject "players" agrees with the plural verb "want".
The teacher, along with several other professors, _____ highly qualified.
A) are
B) is
Each of the players _____ scored a goal.
A) have
B) has
Rule: Verb tenses should be consistent within a sentence and paragraph. Shifts in tense should only occur when there is a logical reason, such as when describing events at different times.
How it's tested: The SAT will present sentences or paragraphs with unnecessary tense shifts, requiring you to choose the consistent verb form. Clues within the sentence and surrounding sentences, such as time references, should indicate the correct tense.
Examples:
Incorrect: Yesterday, Sarah bought a ticket and flies to Paris.
This is incorrect because it illogically shifts from past tense "bought" to present tense "flies" when describing events that happened yesterday.
Correct: Yesterday, Sarah bought a ticket and flew to Paris.
This is correct because both verbs "bought" and "flew" are in the past tense, matching the time reference "yesterday".
Incorrect: Michael works at a hospital. He liked helping patients.
This is incorrect because it shifts from present tense "works" to past tense "liked" without any logical reason.
Correct: Michael works at a hospital. He likes helping patients.
This is correct because both verbs "works" and "likes" are in the present tense, maintaining consistency.
The artist _____ inspired by nature when she creates her paintings.
A) was
B) is
By the time she arrived, the show _____.
A) had already started
B) already started
Rule: Pronouns must agree with their antecedents (the nouns they refer to) in number and gender. Singular antecedents take singular pronouns; plural antecedents take plural pronouns.
How it's tested: The SAT may use sentences where a pronoun does not match the number or gender of its antecedent.
Examples:
Incorrect: The basketball team's coach only speaks when they want feedback from players.
This is incorrect because the singular antecedent "coach" is paired with the plural pronoun "they".
Correct: The basketball team's coach only speaks when he wants feedback from players.
This is correct because the singular pronoun "he" agrees with the singular antecedent "coach".
Incorrect: James used their laptop.
This is incorrect because the plural pronoun "their" doesn't agree with the singular antecedent "James".
Correct: James used his laptop.
This is correct because the singular pronoun "his" agrees with the singular antecedent "James".
The students finished _____ projects early.
A) his
B) their
Each participant will receive _____ award at the ceremony.
A) his or her
B) their
Rule: Understand the difference between possessive pronouns (its, their) and contractions (it's, they're). Apostrophes in pronouns signify contractions, meaning "it is" or "they are". Possessive pronouns show ownership.
How it's tested: The SAT frequently tests the difference between its/it's, and their/they're, requiring you to choose the correct form based on the sentence.
Examples:
Incorrect: The company launched it's new product in March.
This is incorrect because "it's" is a contraction meaning "it is". The sentence needs the possessive pronoun "its" to show ownership.
Correct: The company launched its new product in March.
This is correct because "its" is the possessive pronoun showing the product belongs to the company.
Incorrect: Rome and Venice are beautiful Italian cities, and their famous for their architecture.
This is incorrect because "their" is a possessive pronoun, but the sentence needs the contraction "they're" meaning "they are".
Correct: Rome and Venice are beautiful Italian cities, and they're famous for their architecture.
This is correct because "they're" is the contraction of "they are", which is what the sentence requires.
The dog wagged _____ tail excitedly.
A) its
B) it's
_____ going to the park later this afternoon.
A) They're
B) Their
Rule: Regular plural nouns are made by adding -s or -es. To make a regular plural noun possessive, add an apostrophe after the plural -s or -es. Irregular plural nouns add an apostrophe + -s. Singular nouns are made possessive by adding an apostrophe + -s.
How it's tested: The SAT tests the correct placement of apostrophes with both plural and possessive nouns, in addition to testing whether a noun should be plural or singular.
Examples:
Correct: Store the teachers' books in the supply closet.
This is correct because it shows possession by multiple teachers (plural possessive) with the apostrophe after the plural -s.
Correct: Modern architecture is defined by the architect's use of clean lines.
This is correct because it shows possession by a single architect (singular possessive) with apostrophe + s.
Incorrect: Each evening, several deer's wandered into the garden, eating plants.
This is incorrect because "deer" is already plural and doesn't need an apostrophe since it's not showing possession.
Correct: Each evening, several deer wandered into the garden, eating plants.
This is correct because "deer" is both singular and plural - no change is needed to make it plural.
The _____ toys were scattered all over the room.
A) childrens'
B) children's
The _____ meows could be heard from across the street.
A) cats
B) cat's
Rule: The person or thing being modified needs to be as close as possible to the modifier. When a modifying phrase begins a sentence, the noun being modified must immediately follow the comma.
How it's tested: The SAT often presents sentences with misplaced or dangling modifiers, where the modified element isn't clear or is incorrectly placed.
Examples:
Correct: After analyzing the data, the scientists reached their final conclusion.
This is correct because "the scientists" (who did the analyzing) immediately follows the modifying phrase.
Incorrect: Growing up in Paris in 1840, paintings were what Claude Monet excelled at creating.
This is incorrect because the modifier "Growing up in Paris" is describing paintings, which cannot grow up anywhere.
Correct: Growing up in Paris in 1840, Claude Monet excelled at creating paintings.
This is correct because the person who grew up in Paris (Claude Monet) immediately follows the modifying phrase.
Incorrect: An aspiring musician, Michael's dream is to perform at Carnegie Hall next spring.
This is incorrect because "Michael's dream" cannot be an aspiring musician - Michael is the aspiring musician.
Correct: An aspiring musician, Michael dreams of performing at Carnegie Hall next spring.
This is correct because Michael (the aspiring musician) immediately follows the modifying phrase.
Choose the correct version:
A) Practicing late into the night, the piano was mastered by Sarah.
B) Practicing late into the night, Sarah mastered the piano.
Choose the correct version:
A) While walking through the park, a beautiful flower caught my eye.
B) While walking through the park, I spotted a beautiful flower.
Rule: Semicolons and periods are essentially interchangeable on the SAT. They are used to separate two complete sentences (independent clauses).
How it's tested: The SAT may ask you to choose between a semicolon or a period, or to identify whether a semicolon is correctly used to separate two complete sentences.
Examples:
Correct: The museum is very popular. It attracts millions of visitors each year.
Correct: The museum is very popular; it has fascinating exhibits.
Correct: The museum is very popular; however, it needs renovation.
Incorrect: Because Michael loved to create art; he became a painter.
This is incorrect because "Because Michael loved to create art" is not a complete sentence.
Correct: Michael loved to create art; he became a painter.
This is correct because both parts are complete sentences that can stand alone.
Choose the correct version:
A) The cat was sleeping, it was oblivious to the loud noise.
B) The cat was sleeping; it was oblivious to the loud noise.
Choose the correct version:
A) Because the museum closed early today; many visitors had to change their plans.
B) The museum closed early today. Many visitors had to change their plans.
Rule: Colons and dashes introduce lists, explanations, or examples. They must follow a complete sentence (independent clause).
How it's tested: The SAT tests the correct use of colons and dashes, particularly if they are preceded by complete sentences, as well as if they are followed by lists and explanations.
Examples:
Correct: The basketball team needs three key qualities: speed, strength, and teamwork.
Incorrect: Sarah practices several types of dance like: ballet, jazz, tap, and modern.
This is incorrect because "like" and a colon should not be used together - use one or the other.
Correct: Sarah practices several types of dance: ballet, jazz, tap, and modern.
Choose the correct version:
A) The recipe called for several ingredients; flour, sugar, and eggs.
B) The recipe called for several ingredients: flour, sugar, and eggs.
Choose the correct version:
A) She had only one goal in mind; to win the competition.
B) She had only one goal in mind—to win the competition.
Rule: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so - FANBOYS) when it joins two independent clauses.
How it's tested: The SAT may present comma splices (two independent clauses joined only by a comma) or incorrectly omit commas with FANBOYS.
Examples:
Correct: The movie was very long, but the story kept me engaged.
Incorrect: The movie was very long, the story kept me engaged.
This is incorrect because it's a comma splice - two independent clauses joined only by a comma without a conjunction.
Choose the correct version:
A) The movie was long but it was still very entertaining.
B) The movie was long, but it was still very entertaining.
Choose the correct version:
A) She loves to read books, and she also enjoys listening to music.
B) She loves to read books. And she also enjoys listening to music.
Rule: When a dependent clause (a clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence) comes before an independent clause, a comma is required.
Examples:
Correct: Because the test was very challenging, many students studied for extra hours.
Incorrect: Because the test was very challenging many students studied for extra hours.
This is incorrect because it's missing a comma after the introductory dependent clause.
Choose the correct version:
A) Although it was raining we decided to go for a walk.
B) Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.
Choose the correct version:
A) After the game ended, the crowd cheered loudly.
B) After the game ended the crowd cheered loudly.
Rule: Transitional words and phrases connect ideas and indicate relationships, like continuation, contrast, or cause-and-effect.
How it's tested: The SAT will ask you to choose the correct transitional word or phrase to create the most logical connection between sentences.
Examples:
Correct: The main purpose of studying for the SAT was to improve test scores. However, research shows that test preparation has minimal impact on final results.
This is correct because "However" properly signals the contrast between the expected purpose and the reality.
Incorrect: The weather was beautiful today. Therefore, bananas are a good source of potassium.
This is incorrect because "Therefore" implies a cause-and-effect relationship, but there is no logical connection between the weather and bananas.
Choose the correct version:
A) The student studied hard for the test. Therefore, she got an A.
B) The student studied hard for the test. However, she got an A.
Choose the correct version:
A) The team practiced hard all season. However, they lost the championship game.
B) The team scored the winning goal. However, they won the championship game.
Rule: Non-essential information (phrases or clauses) can be removed from a sentence without changing its core meaning. It should be set off by commas, dashes, or parentheses.
How it's tested: The SAT tests your ability to correctly punctuate non-essential information using commas, dashes, or parentheses, and to not mix punctuation types.
Examples:
Correct: Paris, which is the capital of France, attracts millions of tourists.
Correct: Notre Dame Cathedral—which dates back to medieval times— draws many visitors.
Incorrect: The Seine River—which flows through Paris, provides scenic views.
This is incorrect because it mixes two different types of punctuation (em dash and comma) to set off the non-essential information.
Choose the correct version:
A) The painting, which was created in 1889, is now on display.
B) The painting (which was created in 1889, is now on display.
Choose the correct version:
A) The concert—which was highly anticipated—sold out quickly.
B) The concert, which was highly anticipated—sold out quickly.
Rule: Use commas to set off names or titles when they are non-essential (add extra information but are not needed for the sentence to make sense). Essential names/titles should not have commas.
Examples:
Correct: The team coached by basketball legend Michael Jordan went on to win three consecutive championships.
This is correct because "basketball legend Michael Jordan" is essential information needed to identify which team.
Correct: The team coached by the former Chicago Bulls star, Michael Jordan, went on to win three consecutive championships.
This is correct because "Michael Jordan" is additional, non-essential information about the already identified "former Chicago Bulls star".
Choose the correct version:
A) Jane Austen the author wrote many novels.
B) The author, Jane Austen, wrote many novels.
Choose the correct version:
A) The article about Dr Smith was very informative.
B) The article about, Dr Smith, was very informative.
Rule: When listing items or pairing items, use consistent grammatical structure (nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, etc.). This applies to lists and word pairs (either/or, not only/but also).
Examples:
Correct: The research team has gathered data from scientists, engineers, and technicians to study climate change patterns.
Incorrect: The research team has gathered data from scientists, engineers, and working as technicians to study climate change patterns.
This is incorrect because "working as technicians" breaks the parallel structure by using a verb phrase instead of a noun.
Choose the correct version:
A) She enjoys swimming, hiking, and to bike.
B) She enjoys swimming, hiking, and biking.
Choose the correct version:
A) The project was challenging but also time consuming.
B) The project was not only challenging but also time consuming.
Rule: Comparisons must be made between equivalent items (people to people, things to things). Use "than" not "then" to form comparisons. "Number", "many", and "fewer" modify plural nouns. "Amount", "much", and "less" modify singular nouns.
Examples:
Incorrect: Though the music of composer Mozart is just as influential as Beethoven, Mozart died at a much younger age.
This is incorrect because it compares "the music" to "Beethoven" directly, rather than comparing equivalent items (music to music).
Correct: Though the music of composer Mozart is just as influential as the music of Beethoven, Mozart died at a much younger age.
Choose the correct version:
A) The new car is much faster then my old one.
B) The new car is much faster than my old one.
Choose the correct version:
A) There are less students in the classroom this year.
B) There are fewer students in the classroom this year.
Rule: Question marks are used for direct questions. Indirect questions, which are integrated into a sentence, do not use question marks and end in periods.
Examples:
Correct: The research aimed to answer one central question: what impact does ocean pollution have on coral reef ecosystems?
Incorrect: The research aimed to answer what impact ocean pollution has on coral reef ecosystems?
This is incorrect because it uses a question mark at the end of an indirect question. Indirect questions should end with a period.
Choose the correct version:
A) I was wondering, if you could help me with this?
B) I was wondering if you could help me with this.
Choose the correct version:
A) She asked "What time is it"?
B) She asked: "What time is it?"
Rule: Select words that have the correct meaning and register (formal vs. informal). Pay attention to commonly confused words such as affect/effect, than/then, allusion/illusion, elicit/illicit, and anyway/anyways.
Examples:
Correct: The effect of excessive screen time on children's sleep patterns has been well documented.
Incorrect: The affect of excessive screen time on children's sleep patterns has been well documented.
This is incorrect because "affect" is being used as a noun when it should be "effect" since we're referring to the result/impact.
Choose the correct version:
A) The new law will affect the citizens positively.
B) The new law will effect the citizens positively.
Choose the correct version:
A) The illusion to Shakespeare was obvious in her essay.
B) The allusion to Shakespeare was obvious in her essay.
Rule: When multiple answers are grammatically correct and have the same meaning, choose the shortest answer.
Examples:
Correct: The discovery of penicillin revolutionized modern medicine.
Incorrect: The discovery of penicillin brought about and created a revolutionary change and transformation in the field of modern medicine.
This is incorrect because it uses redundant phrases that add unnecessary length without adding meaning.
Choose the correct version:
A) The research team conducted multiple different studies of varying types on the topic.
B) The research team conducted multiple studies on the topic.
Choose the correct version:
A) The building was tall and big.
B) The building was tall.
By mastering these rules, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the SAT Reading and Writing section with confidence. Remember to practice regularly and apply these rules to various sentence structures. Good luck!