PSAT 8/9 Standard English Conventions: Building Clear, Correct Sentences

What are sentence boundaries?

The places where one complete sentence ends and another begins.

What is an independent clause?

A group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

What is a dependent clause?

A clause that has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought on its own.

What punctuation ends a complete sentence?

A period.

What punctuation ends a direct question?

A question mark.

What is a comma splice?

Joining two independent clauses with just a comma.

What are FANBOYS?

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So; coordinating conjunctions used to connect clauses.

What does a semicolon do?

Separates two closely related independent clauses.

What does a colon introduce?

Something that explains, illustrates, or lists what came before.

What is an essential element in a sentence?

Information that is necessary to identify which person or thing is meant.

What is a nonessential element?

Extra information that can be removed without changing the basic identity of the noun.

What is a fragment?

An incomplete sentence punctuated as if it were complete.

What is a run-on sentence?

When two independent clauses are joined incorrectly.

What is the purpose of commas in a list?

To separate items in a series.

What is subject-verb agreement?

The verb must match the subject in number (singular/plural).

What is incorrect pronoun reference?

When a pronoun is ambiguous and its antecedent is unclear.

What is the difference between adjectives and adverbs?

Adjectives describe nouns, while adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

What is parallel structure?

The grammatical consistency of items in a list or comparison.

What is a misplaced modifier?

A modifier that is incorrectly positioned in a sentence.

What does it mean to have consistency in point of view?

Avoiding unnecessary shifts in the person of the writing (I/you/he/she/they).

What does idiomatic usage refer to?

Following standard phrases that sound natural in formal English.

What are double negatives?

Using two negative words to express one idea, which can confuse or create unintended meanings.

What is concision in writing?

Expressing an idea more directly without losing meaning.

What is logical comparison?

A comparison that must compare like with like.

What does it mean to choose the right connector in writing?

Using coordination for equal importance ideas and subordination for dependent ideas.

What question patterns commonly appear on the exam?

Punctuation choices, verb/pronoun agreement, parallelism, and clarity in revisions.