SAT Grammar

Periods = Semicolons

Between two complete sentences

Before conjunctive adverbs such as however, therefore, or moreover at the beginning of a clause

Colons & Dashes

A colon or dash must follow a full sentence

Before a list

Before an explanation

Comma & Fanboys

Comma + Fanboys = Period + Semicolon

Comma Splice

When two sentences are joined by a comma, the result is known as a comma Splice, comma splices are always incorrect

tip off: Comma + pronoun (ex. it, they, s/he, one, you, I)

Comma + Fanboys + Verb = WRONG

Shortcut: Comma + and/but = period, so plug in period in place of comma + and/but

Comma & Dependent Clauses

If begins with a subordinating conjunction (although, because, when, until, while, since, before, after) comma is needed later in sentence

Non essential information use

, , or - - or ( )

Commas with names or titles

Description before name/ no commas needed

Commas should be used / additional

To separate items in a list

To separate adjectives whose order could be reversed

Commas should not be used

-Before or after a preposition (of, to, by, from, for, about, with, in, on, at, that)

-Between subjects & verbs

-Between adjectives and nouns