SAT R&W Grammar Rules Master List

Mastering grammar is not just about correctness; it’s your strategic lever for maximizing points on the SAT Reading and Writing section. Every Convention of Standard English question tests a finite set of rules. By learning them systematically, you turn ambiguous sentences into clear, predictable patterns, allowing you to eliminate wrong answers with confidence and speed.

The Core of Agreement: Subject-Verb and Pronoun-Antecedent

Every complete sentence hinges on agreement. Subject-verb agreement means the subject and verb must match in number (singular or plural). Watch for traps: prepositional phrases between the subject and verb (The collection of rare coins is valuable), compound subjects joined by "and" (usually plural), and collective nouns (like team, group) which can be singular or plural depending on context. On the SAT, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, regardless of intervening words.

Similarly, pronoun-antecedent agreement demands that a pronoun (he, she, it, they, who, etc.) clearly agrees with its antecedent—the noun it replaces—in number, gender, and person. A common trick is a singular antecedent like student or everyone followed by the plural they. While common in speech, the SAT still often expects formal agreement: Every student must submit his or her application. More importantly, a pronoun must have a single, clear antecedent. Vague pronoun reference is a frequent error choice.

Consistency in Time and Form: Verb Tense and Parallel Structure

Verb tense consistency requires that the timeline of events in a sentence or paragraph be logical and consistent. Unless there is a clear reason to shift tense (e.g., moving from a past event to a current observation), verbs should stay in the same tense. The SAT often creates incorrect answers with illogical or unnecessary shifts from past to present perfect or future.

Parallel structure is the principle that items in a list, comparison, or paired construction must be in the same grammatical form. This rule governs everything from simple lists (She enjoys hiking, swimming, and cycling) to correlative conjunctions like not only...but also and comparisons using than or as. To test for parallelism, isolate the items being joined and ensure they are the same part of speech or phrase type. An incorrect answer might mix an infinitive with a gerund: to run, swimming, and to jump.

Precision with Modifiers and Punctuation

Modifier placement errors create confusing or illogical sentences. A modifier is a word or phrase that describes another element. The key rule: place modifiers as close as possible to what they modify. Misplaced modifiers are awkwardly positioned (She served cookies to the children on paper plates). Dangling modifiers have nothing to logically modify in the sentence (After finishing the exam, the room felt empty). The SAT corrects these by repositioning the modifier or revising the main clause.

Comma usage is tested heavily, especially the distinction between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. A restrictive clause is essential to the sentence's meaning and is NOT set off by commas (The book that is on the table is mine). A nonrestrictive clause adds extra, non-essential information and MUST be set off by commas (My favorite book, which is on the table, is a mystery). The SAT will test your ability to add or remove commas based on whether the information is essential. Other key comma rules include using them after introductory elements, between items in a series, and before coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) joining independent clauses.

Advanced Punctuation: Semicolons, Colons, and Apostrophes

Semicolons have two primary uses: to connect two closely related independent clauses (complete sentences) instead of a comma and FANBOYS, and to separate items in a complex list that already contains commas. A semicolon must have an independent clause on both sides. The colon, on the other hand, is used to introduce an explanation, list, or quotation that follows logically from an independent clause. The text before a colon must be a complete sentence.

Apostrophe usage centers on possession and contraction. For possessives, add 's to singular nouns (the dog's bowl) and just an apostrophe to plural nouns ending in s (the dogs' bowls). For irregular plurals not ending in s (children), add 's. The SAT frequently tests its/their/there and you're/your. Remember: its and whose are possessive pronouns (like his or her); it's and who's are contractions for it is and who is.

Defining Sentence Boundaries

The SAT tests your ability to identify complete sentences and avoid fragments, run-ons, and comma splices. A complete sentence (an independent clause) must have a subject and a verb and express a complete thought. A sentence fragment is missing one of these elements. A run-on sentence or comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation (a period, semicolon, or comma with a FANBOYS conjunction). When you see a period, semicolon, or comma in the answer choices, check if there are two complete thoughts being connected.

Common Pitfalls

1. The "Sound Right" Trap: Trust the rule, not your ear. Spoken English is flexible, but the SAT tests formal, written conventions. An answer that "sounds okay" might contain a subtle agreement error or comma splice.
2. Vague Pronoun Reference: The antecedent must be crystal clear. If an answer choice has this, that, it, or they and you can't immediately point to the single noun it refers to, it's likely incorrect.
3. Unnecessary Commas: Over-punctuation is a major source of errors. The most common mistake is inserting a comma between a subject and its verb (The ambitious student, studied diligently) or before a restrictive clause.
4. Mixing Comparison Types: Ensure parallel structure in comparisons. Incorrect: Running is more strenuous than to walk. Correct: Running is more strenuous than walking.

Summary

• Agreement is Non-Negotiable: Subjects and verbs must agree in number, and pronouns must clearly match their antecedents in number and gender.
• Consistency Creates Clarity: Maintain consistent verb tense within a logical timeline and enforce parallel structure for any listed or compared items.
• Punctuation Has Purpose: Commas set off non-essential information; semicolons link equal clauses; colons introduce; apostrophes show possession (not pluralization).
• Modifiers Must Attach: Place descriptive phrases directly next to the word they are meant to describe to avoid confusing or illogical meanings.
• Know a Complete Sentence: Identify independent clauses to avoid creating fragments or incorrectly joining sentences with only a comma.
• Systematically Eliminate: On every question, identify the concept being tested first, then apply the specific rule to eliminate three wrong answers.