Grammar Rules You Must Know for SAT Writing

Mastering essential grammar rules is crucial for excelling in the SAT Writing section. This guide highlights the most frequently tested grammar concepts and provides clear explanations with examples to help you avoid common pitfalls and boost your score.

📘 Key Grammar Rules for the SAT Writing Section

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

Ensure that subjects and verbs agree in number, even when separated by intervening phrases.

• Example:
  • Incorrect: The bouquet of roses smell lovely.
  • Correct: The bouquet of roses smells lovely.

Tip: Be cautious with collective nouns and phrases that come between the subject and the verb.

2. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Pronouns must agree in number and gender with the nouns they replace.

• Example:
  • Incorrect: Each student must submit their assignment.
  • Correct: Each student must submit his or her assignment.

Tip: For singular indefinite pronouns like each, everyone, or someone, use singular pronouns.

3. Verb Tense Consistency

Keep verb tenses consistent within a sentence or a group of related sentences.

• Example:
  • Incorrect: She was walking to the store and buys some groceries.
  • Correct: She was walking to the store and bought some groceries.

Tip: Pay attention to time cues in the sentence to determine the appropriate tense.

4. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Place modifiers next to the words they are meant to modify to avoid confusion.

• Example:
  • Incorrect: Running quickly, the finish line was crossed by John.
  • Correct: Running quickly, John crossed the finish line.

Tip: Ensure introductory phrases clearly refer to the proper subject.

5. Parallel Structure

Use the same grammatical form for elements in a list or a comparison to maintain clarity and rhythm.

• Example:
  • Incorrect: She enjoys reading, to swim, and biking.
  • Correct: She enjoys reading, swimming, and biking.

Tip: Maintain consistency in verb forms and structure when listing items.

6. Punctuation: Commas, Semicolons, and Colons

Understand proper punctuation to connect clauses and list items accurately.

• Commas: Use to separate items in a list or after introductory elements.

• Semicolons: Use to connect closely related independent clauses.

• Colons: Use to introduce a list or explanation after an independent clause.

• Example:

  • Incorrect: She loves cooking, and baking and painting.
  • Correct: She loves cooking, baking, and painting.

Tip: Avoid comma splices by ensuring two independent clauses are properly connected with a semicolon or conjunction.

7. Sentence Fragments and Run-Ons

Ensure every sentence has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

• Fragment Example:

  • Incorrect: Because she was tired.
  • Correct: Because she was tired, she went to bed early.

• Run-On Example:

  • Incorrect: She was tired she went to bed early.
  • Correct: She was tired, so she went to bed early.

Tip: Use appropriate conjunctions and punctuation to connect related clauses.

8. Diction and Word Choice

Select words that accurately convey your intended meaning and suit the context.

• Example:
  • Incorrect: Their going to the store.
  • Correct: They're going to the store.

Tip: Watch out for commonly confused words and homophones.

9. Idiomatic Expressions and Prepositions

Use idiomatic expressions and prepositions correctly according to standard English usage.

• Example:
  • Incorrect: She is interested for music.
  • Correct: She is interested in music.

Tip: Familiarize yourself with common idiomatic expressions and the prepositions that typically follow them.

10. Redundancy and Wordiness

Eliminate unnecessary words or phrases that do not add meaningful content to your writing.

• Example:
  • Incorrect: He made a final conclusion at the end.
  • Correct: He concluded.

Tip: Aim for clarity and conciseness by removing repetitive or superfluous words.

📝 Final Tips

• Practice Regularly:
  Work through sample questions and writing prompts to reinforce these grammar rules.

• Review Your Mistakes:
  Analyze errors in your practice tests to understand where you tend to slip up and adjust accordingly.

• Read Actively:
  Reading well-edited materials, such as quality journalism or literature, can help you internalize correct grammar usage.

By mastering these grammar rules, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the SAT Writing section confidently and effectively. Consistent practice and mindful application of these principles will lead to clearer, more precise writing and a higher score on test day.