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© 2025 SAT/Sphere. All rights reserved.
© 2025 SAT/Sphere. All rights reserved.
SAT/sphere blog
Master essential grammar rules that are frequently tested on the SAT.
Grammar is a key component of the SAT writing section. Discover the most important grammar rules that you need to know to succeed on the test.
SAT grammar questions often address the precision and clarity of written English. Understanding essential grammar rules can be the difference between a so-so score and an excellent result on the writing and language section. Students who take the time to internalize foundational concepts—such as correct verb forms, agreement between subjects and verbs, and the use of punctuation—are more likely to feel confident when tackling test questions. In many cases, the SAT tries to assess not only your knowledge of grammar but also your ability to identify improvements in sentence structure, word choice, and logical flow. Because each question is designed to measure your command of standard written English, a thorough review of grammar rules is indispensable.
When you prepare for this portion of the exam, you might notice that certain topics appear more frequently than others. Subject-verb agreement, parallel structure, pronoun usage, and modifier placement are common trouble spots that can easily trip you up if you’re not careful. Therefore, the best approach is to learn these rules in detail and practice applying them in context. For instance, consider the importance of subject-verb agreement: a singular subject typically pairs with a singular verb, while a plural subject pairs with a plural verb. Simple examples, such as The cat chases the mouse versus The cats chase the mouse, help illustrate the principle, but real SAT questions often present more complex sentence structures.
“A rule well learned is a mistake well avoided.” – Miriam Fell, an educational researcher
Of course, you’ll also want to study punctuation: commas, semicolons, and colons all have unique roles. Even small punctuation errors can cause confusion or distort meaning. Mastering these devices ensures that you communicate ideas effectively. As you move through the various grammar rules, remember that context matters just as much as individual principles. The SAT often places questions within full paragraphs or short passages, requiring you to consider how each correction affects the paragraph’s coherence. A good way to study is to annotate practice passages, marking every verb and its subject, or identifying every pronoun and its antecedent. This level of deliberate practice, along with consistent review, will gradually sharpen your instincts for correct grammar usage.
If you are looking for a streamlined way to build these skills, consider a self-paced exam prep platform. For instance, you can find thorough modules and practice questions at SAT Sphere, which offers structured lessons and exercises to help you master grammar essentials before your test date. Revisiting rules systematically is the key: the more you apply them in real sentences, the more automatic they become. Keep these overarching themes in mind as you delve deeper into the specific grammar points. In the sections that follow, we’ll explore the most frequently tested rules on the SAT and illustrate them with concrete examples, so you know exactly what to watch out for.
Subject-verb agreement is one of the most critical grammar concepts on the SAT. In essence, the verb must match the number of its subject—singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs. Although this may seem straightforward, the test frequently presents complex sentence structures or additional phrases that can obscure the sentence’s main subject. For example, you might see something like The bouquet of flowers is on the table rather than The bouquet of flowers are on the table. Even though “flowers” is plural, the subject is “bouquet,” which is singular, so the correct verb is “is.”
One effective strategy to tackle subject-verb agreement questions is to simplify the sentence. Strip away any prepositional phrases, nonessential clauses, or modifiers, and see which noun is truly performing the action. If the sentence reads, “A pack of wolves stalks its prey at night,” the main subject is “pack” (singular), which pairs with “stalks.” In addition, collective nouns—like “team,” “class,” or “committee”—are usually treated as singular entities. So you’d say, “The committee decides on the date,” not “The committee decide on the date.” This pattern might seem counterintuitive if you’re thinking of a committee as multiple people, but grammatically, it’s considered one group.
Trouble can also arise with compound subjects connected by and or or. Consider a sentence like Tom and Jerry want to go to the movies. Because Tom and Jerry together form a plural subject, the verb should be plural. On the other hand, if the sentence reads, Neither Tom nor Jerry wants to leave early, the subject closest to the verb dictates its form. “Jerry” is singular, so “wants” should be singular as well. The SAT often incorporates these types of scenarios to see whether you can correctly identify the true subject and apply the right verb form.
When practicing, create a table to remind yourself of common tricky scenarios:
| Scenario | Subject | Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phrase with “of” | bouquet (of flowers) | singular | The bouquet of flowers is wilting. |
| Collective noun | committee, team | singular | The team wins the championship. |
| Compound subjects (with “and”) | Tom and Jerry | plural | Tom and Jerry are best friends. |
| Compound subjects (with “or/nor”) | Tom or Jerry | determined by closest subject | Neither Tom nor Jerry wants to stay. |
Reviewing such examples regularly can bolster your confidence. If you spot a mismatch between subject and verb during the test, consider what the sentence is truly saying. Is the subject singular or plural? Are there any complicating phrases? By training your eye to locate the actual subject, you’ll quickly spot and correct any agreement issues. As you work on subject-verb agreement in practice exams, keep track of your mistakes and the reasons behind them. This self-awareness will help you improve more rapidly than if you study rules in isolation.
Pronoun errors are frequent traps on the SAT, particularly when it comes to unclear antecedents, number agreement, and shifts in person. A pronoun should clearly refer back to a specific noun (its antecedent). If the antecedent is missing or ambiguous, readers are left guessing. For example, in a sentence like When you give a dog and a cat a treat, it becomes happy, the pronoun “it” could refer to either the dog or the cat. The SAT writing section will test your ability to identify and correct such unclear references.
Another major issue is ensuring that pronouns match the number and gender of their antecedents. A plural noun must be replaced by a plural pronoun (e.g., “they,” “them,” or “their”), while a singular noun calls for singular pronouns (e.g., “he,” “she,” “it,” or “his/her”). If you see a sentence like A student should check their grades regularly, you might identify a mismatch. “Student” is singular, but “their” is plural. A corrected version could be Students should check their grades regularly (both plural) or A student should check his or her grades regularly (both singular). Though the second correction might read more awkwardly, it respects the grammar rule.
“Precision in words is precision in thought.” – Kevin Morley, grammar aficionado
Beyond number agreement, the SAT also checks for shifts in pronoun person within the same sentence. For instance, you wouldn’t start a sentence with “One should always do your best.” If you begin a statement with “One,” remain consistent by using “one,” “one’s,” or “oneself.” Staying alert for these shifts is key because they can happen subtly if you’re not paying close attention. Additionally, be mindful of reflexive pronouns such as “myself,” “yourself,” or “themselves.” These are used correctly only when referring back to the subject of the sentence (e.g., I taught myself how to juggle).
A useful study tip is to underline every pronoun you encounter in practice passages. Immediately identify the noun it replaces and verify both number and clarity. If you find any mismatch or ambiguity, see how it can be resolved. Over time, this exercise will train you to intuitively check for pronoun errors without needing to dissect each sentence so methodically. Given that this skill is repeatedly tested, you’ll find it beneficial to practice with past exam questions or self-paced modules, such as those offered on SAT Sphere, to ensure you’re ready for exam-day challenges.
Verb tense consistency is another cornerstone of effective grammar. On the SAT, you’ll often be presented with paragraphs that move between different time frames. The test expects you to spot errors where the tense suddenly switches without logical context. For example, a passage might begin in the past tense describing an event: She walked through the park and greeted her friends, only to abruptly jump to the present tense in a subsequent sentence: She enjoys the warm sunlight as she strolled. This error creates confusion, and your job is to identify and correct the mismatch.
In many cases, the SAT will present a scenario where multiple actions occur at different points in time. For instance, you might see a sentence like He had studied for weeks before he finally took the exam. The use of the past perfect tense (“had studied”) is appropriate because it clarifies that this action occurred before another past event (“took the exam”). Pay attention to such subtle cues. If a sentence implies a cause-effect relationship in the past, you might need the past perfect to indicate which action happened first. Alternatively, if the entire context is present, you should remain in the present tense unless there’s a compelling reason to do otherwise.
If you see a sentence that starts in the past tense and ends in the present, ask yourself whether the time frame has genuinely shifted. The shift can sometimes be justified, but more often than not, it signals an error. Let’s say you read: Yesterday, Maria played the piano beautifully, and now she practices for another recital next week. This example is actually acceptable if it’s emphasizing the shift from “yesterday” to “now.” However, if the sentence read Yesterday, Maria played the piano beautifully, and now she plays it in the show, the final phrase might be missing context about how “now” is different from “yesterday.” The SAT might require you to revise it for clearer tense usage.
Another point to note is avoiding the use of the future tense if the entire context is anchored in a habitual present. A faulty construction like Every morning, I will go to the gym and will run two miles is typically better rendered as Every morning, I go to the gym and run two miles. While it’s grammatically possible to use the future tense for habitual actions in some contexts, the SAT generally prefers clarity and directness. Practicing with full-length SAT passages is the best way to internalize these rules. As you review your answers, ask yourself why each tense is appropriate or not. Over time, you’ll develop an instinct for identifying tense lapses and correcting them without hesitation.
Modifiers—words or phrases that describe other words—play a crucial role in delivering clear, concise meaning in a sentence. They must be placed near the words they modify; otherwise, the sentence can become awkward or ambiguous. A common example is a dangling modifier. For instance, “Running through the park, the birds chirped cheerfully,” suggests that the birds are running through the park. To correct the sentence, you need to make it clear that it’s the person who is running: “Running through the park, I heard the birds chirp cheerfully.”
Another pitfall is the misplaced modifier, where the modifier is placed incorrectly in the sentence, causing confusion or unintended humor. Consider: “She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.” Grammatically, this could imply the children themselves are on the paper plates. A clearer sentence is: “She served the children sandwiches on paper plates.” Not only does this fix the sentence structure, it also clarifies that the sandwiches—not the children—are what’s actually on the plates. The SAT loves to test these distinctions because they measure your attention to detail and your ability to spot illogical statements.
“Good writing is good arranging—placing words exactly where they should be.” – Ingrid Meston, an editor and columnist
Adverbs can also be tricky. An adverb might appear to modify the wrong part of the sentence if placed incorrectly. For example: “He only listened to the instructions” can imply that listening was all he did, while “He listened only to the instructions” implies he ignored everything else. The SAT expects you to choose placements that reflect the intended meaning. Paying attention to these nuances can help you score higher because you’ll be able to discern whether a sentence is subtly incorrect.
When studying these concepts, gather sample sentences or create your own. Mark the subject and verb, then locate any adjectives and adverbs to see if they’re exactly where they should be for maximum clarity. If you’re unsure whether a sentence might be improved, read it aloud. Often, an awkwardly placed modifier will sound wrong. As you practice, try rewriting sentences that contain errors until their meanings are unmistakably clear. Having the discipline to double-check your work for misplaced or dangling modifiers can make a significant difference in your overall writing score. Such diligence ensures that your intended meaning is conveyed precisely—and that’s exactly what the SAT writing section is designed to evaluate.
Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, refers to using the same grammatical pattern within a sentence or series of sentences to maintain clarity and flow. In essence, parallel structure requires that list items or paired elements use a matching format. For example, if you say, “I like swimming, jogging, and to bike,” the third element stands out awkwardly. A better version is “I like swimming, jogging, and biking.” The SAT often includes questions that specifically check whether a sentence’s elements remain consistent in form.
Parallelism issues commonly arise in lists or in correlative conjunctions such as “not only…but also” and “either…or.” Consider the sentence: “He wanted either to travel by plane or driving by car.” The verbs “to travel” and “driving” are inconsistent. To fix it, you’d write, “He wanted either to travel by plane or to drive by car,” making sure both parts follow the same verb pattern. The test might offer multiple answer choices, all of which seem plausible at first glance, but only one will maintain proper parallel structure throughout the sentence.
Another subtle area involves comparisons. A sentence like “Running is better than to walk for cardiovascular health” breaks parallel structure because “running” is a gerund while “to walk” is an infinitive. A clearer sentence could be “Running is better than walking for cardiovascular health.” These comparisons are a common source of confusion because the original statement may seem understandable. However, the SAT specifically tests whether you recognize the mismatch. It’s a demonstration of your ability to craft clear, logically consistent statements.
A quick trick: If you see a sentence that uses multiple verbs or multiple nouns in a sequence, check if all verbs or nouns share the same form. If not, you may need to revise. You can also check for parallelism by reading each element in isolation. For instance, if the sentence is “The president emphasized drafting the policy, implementing new procedures, and employees should cooperate,” then the last element clearly disrupts the parallel flow. Rewrite it so all elements match in style: “The president emphasized drafting the policy, implementing new procedures, and cooperating with employees.” As you refine these skills, you’ll see your comprehension of well-structured writing improve significantly. This pattern is important not just for acing standardized tests but also for writing effectively in general.
Punctuation can make or break the clarity of your writing, and the SAT frequently tests your ability to use it correctly. Commas, semicolons, and colons each have distinct roles. A comma often separates items in a list or introduces a dependent clause, while a semicolon typically joins two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning. For example, “I finished my homework; it was a challenging assignment” is acceptable, whereas “I finished my homework, it was a challenging assignment” would be considered a comma splice. Mastering this difference is critical for identifying and correcting run-on sentences on the test.
Colons, by contrast, typically introduce explanations, lists, or quotations. If you read a sentence like “He had only one goal in mind: victory,” the colon works to clarify that “victory” is the singular objective. However, it would be incorrect to use a semicolon here, because “He had only one goal in mind” is a complete thought that is specifically introducing what the goal is. Another punctuation mark to look out for is the dash (—), which can be used for emphasis or to set off additional information. The SAT may test whether you understand when a dash is appropriate versus when parentheses or commas would be more suitable.
“Well-placed punctuation is the pause that gives meaning.” – Phyllis Tenner, a reading and writing mentor
Apostrophes also pose a challenge, especially in possessives. Many students struggle to decide where to place the apostrophe in words ending with s. For example, is it “Chris’ book” or “Chris’s book”? Generally, both forms are acceptable, but the SAT typically follows the convention of adding ’s even if a name ends in s. This can vary, though, and the test usually provides a clear context if it’s trying to check your understanding of this rule. Meanwhile, watch out for errors that confuse possessive pronouns (e.g., “its,” “yours,” “theirs”) with contractions (“it’s,” “you’re,” “they’re”). The latter form always includes an apostrophe to indicate the missing letters.
When studying punctuation, it can help to rewrite sentences with multiple possible punctuation choices, then pinpoint the most logical approach. For instance, you might take a short sentence like “She enjoys reading, hiking and baking” and see how commas or semicolons might alter its meaning. In addition, thoroughly review each answer choice in a practice question. If an answer introduces a semicolon before a phrase that isn’t independent, it’s probably incorrect. You’ll get used to spotting these inconsistencies the more you practice. Consider looking at grammar guides or using the practice power-ups available via SAT Sphere to reinforce your punctuation skills. Over time, you’ll develop an instinct for the proper use of these marks, which will serve you not only on the SAT but in your overall writing proficiency.
Mastering grammar is about more than just memorizing rules; it’s about understanding how those rules apply in various contexts. On the SAT, you won’t be asked to define “subject-verb agreement” or “parallel structure” directly. Rather, you’ll be tested on whether you can identify and correct errors that pertain to these rules under time constraints and in the context of paragraphs. This means you should consistently practice with real or high-quality simulated test passages, paying close attention to the interplay between grammar and meaning. Indeed, one effective method is to use a structured review schedule—block off time to work on specific rules each day and gradually increase the difficulty.
Also remember that an essential part of grammar mastery involves learning why certain choices are correct. When you answer a practice question, don’t just move on after selecting the right option. Spend a moment reflecting on the incorrect options, discerning exactly what errors they contain and how they violate standard English usage. This approach not only solidifies the rule in your mind but also helps you quickly recognize similar pitfalls when you see them again. It transforms your studying from rote memorization to a deeper, more intuitive grasp of grammar.
If you need a comprehensive review plan tailored to the General SAT Exam, exploring self-paced modules can be invaluable. Platforms like SAT Sphere provide you with targeted exercises, diagnostic quizzes, and scheduling tools to help you focus on your weakest areas. You can also track your progress and see concrete improvements as you get more comfortable with each grammar concept. Over time, your confidence will rise, and grammar questions on the test will feel less like tricky puzzles and more like straightforward applications of well-understood rules.
Finally, keep in mind that the writing and language section is just one part of the entire SAT test. Balancing your grammar study with reading comprehension, math skills, and test-taking strategies is crucial. Use your study breaks wisely to read high-quality articles, novels, or essays, noting how professional writers use grammar and punctuation effectively. Keep practicing with real test questions, reflect on your mistakes, and remind yourself that every error is an opportunity to learn. By consistently applying the strategies and rules outlined in this post, you’ll be well on your way to a stronger writing score and greater confidence when test day arrives.
Use the grammar rules in context, stay mindful of common pitfalls, and approach your practice with determination. With these steps, you’ll master SAT grammar in no time.
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