SAT Writing Grammar Errors: Part 3

Grammar Errors: Part 3

• Sentence Fragments
• A sentence must contain both a subject and a verb. Any answer option that doesn’t give a sentence both a subject and a verb is wrong.
• Gerunds (-ing verbs that act like nouns) do not count as verbs for this purpose.
• Commasand Semicolons
• Independent clauses are clauses that contain a subject and verb, and could be sentences on their own.
• To join independent clauses, use:
• A comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
• Without the coordinating conjunction, the resulting error is called a comma splice.
• Independent clauses are clauses that contain a subject and verb, and could be sentences on their own.
• To join independent clauses, use:
• A semicolon only. A properly used semicolon often indicates a correct answer.
• A semicolon and a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, consequently)
• A comma and a coordinating conjunction
• PassiveVoice
• In the active construction, the subject performs the action of the verb.
• In the passive construction, the subject receives the action of the verb.
• If it helps, remember that a passive verb is one that makes sense when followed by the phrase “by zombies”.
• Stick to the active voice whenever possible.
• Sometimes the passive voice is necessary to correct a more serious error, or for the sentence to make sense.
• Modifiers
• Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the nouns, pronouns, or phrases they modify.
• A dangling modifier appears when a sentence has an introductory clause (set off by a comma) that describes the subject but does not name it and that comma is not immediately followed by the subject.
• Misplaced modifiers are modifiers that are placed so as to modify the wrong noun, pronoun, or phrase. They don’t necessarily involve introductory clauses.
• Parallel Phrases
• The SAT loves parallel structure! That means that conjunctions or comparisons (especially of two things) must involve elements phrased in parallel ways.
• The Subjunctive
• The subjunctive mood is not commonly tested on the SAT, but it’s good to know. It’s used to express needs, requests, suggestions, and hypothetical situations.
• It’s usually used correctly on the SAT, so if you can spot it, you can ignore it.
• The major distinction between the subjunctive mood and the indicative mood (the mood used for facts) is the third-person singular (used for he, she, it, etc.). While an –s is added to this form of the verb in the indicative, no –s is added in the subjunctive.
• For Extra Grammar Help
• See Erica Meltzer’s The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar
• Watch our English Grammar course.
• Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero.
• Recommended supplementary material to view SAT questions featured in lesson answer guides: The Official SAT Study Guide by the College Board.