DIGITAL SAT GRAMMAR RULES

Periods (.)

Periods (.)

breaks up 2 separate sentences

Comma

Used to separate parts of a sentence, usually for brief pauses in natural speaking
PS( it can also need to be used after parentheses)

When should a comma not be used?

when there are 2 stand-alone thoughts:
Incorrect: I went to the store,I bought all the items to make cookies.
When identifying someone's full title:
Incorrect: Spanish Painter, Pablo Picasso, is my favorite artist.

Semi-Colon(;)

connect two related sentences that could still stand by itself

Ex: I went to the store; I bought all the items to make cookies.
It can also be used on a list of items that have commas within each item
Ex: I took a tour of state capitals, including Austin, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Colon(:)

introduce an explanation, description, or a list (even a list of one item).
Example: I went to the store to buy a few items: butter, flour, egg, and sugar.
Example: I was baking chocolate chip cookies: my favorite kind of treat.

What order should a colon be going?

1. thing being described/ explain/ listed
2.the colon
3.Explaination

Em-dash(-)

(single em-dash can be used where a colon wants to be used)
Ex: I was baking chocolate chip cookies- my favorite kind of treat.
It can also be used, for a list, description, and explanation in the middle of a sentence, but using double dashes.
Ex: All of the creative elements of a film-- casting, acting, cinematography, effects, and editing -- are the responsibility of the director.

Question mark(?)

used when asking a specific question

What should you pay attention when having a question about singular or plural possessive?

pay attention to the apostrophe (') to determine if a word with possession is singular or plural
Ex:
Singular: That is the girl's sweater
Plural: The boys' favorite game is football.

What are the 3 common words that are commonly confused with no apostrophe

its vs it's (short for it is): The dog ate it food vs it's going to rain
Their vs They're (short for They are): Their house is on the corner vs They're going to the park later.
Your vs You're (short for you are): Your book is on the table. vs You're going to love this movie.

How does a subject-verb agreement question work?

Singular subject- Singular verb
Plural subject- Plural verb

Suject-Verb agreement question
Ex: A pack of wild wolves ____ roaming around the neighborhood
A. Is
B. Are
C. Were
D. Have been

Answer is D
Many confuse this thinking that the subject is "the wolves", but in reality, it is "A pack". sure their is many wolves but their is only one pack if it said their is many packs then it would be plural

what strategy can you use the know weather or not a verb is singular

put it Front of the verb and see if it makes sense
"it is"-singular
"it are"- plural
"it were"- is an exception if it sounds weird to you, but this is plural
"it have been"- plural
Verbs that end without "s" are plural

what strategy can you use the know weather or not a verb is singular

put it Front of the verb and see if it makes sense
"they is"-singular
"they are"- plural
"they were"- plural
"they have been"- plural
Verbs that end with "s" are also singular

How do you know if the question is a subject verb agreement question?

if the option choices have 4 verbs( though it can be tenses)

What is an obvious thing to help you choose the answer choice

if they are 3 plural and 1 singular answer choice most of the time it usually that one singular

What should you check in pronoun question?

check the subject of the sentence to see if it singular or plural

If people exercise regularly,_____ will dramatically improve their health
A. You
B. They
C. It
D. We

Answer: B
Explanation: The subject is multiple people so A can be taken out C and D can be plural, but it doesn't match the possessive "their" so it B

How to deal with question that deal with tense

Event happening in the present- use present tense verbs
Event happening in the past- use past tense verbs
Events happening in the future- use future tense verbs
Ex: The band played its hit tune, and the audience erupted in applause.
(different tenses can be in the same sentence it depends on when the event is happening)

How to deal with question that deal with parallel structure

Look for the pattern in the sentence structure and match that pattern
Ex: Along with running and rock climbing, surfing is one of my favorite sport.

What is a modifier?

a modifying is a descriptive phrase that describing something in the sentence

What is a misplaced modifier?

A descriptive phrase that shouldn't be in that part of the sentence

Where should a modifier always be?

immediately before the word it modifying, or immediately after.
Ex:
Incorrect: Blazing through the night sky for a brief period, humans have long been fascinated by comets.
Explanation: the modifier in this case is " Blazing through the night sky for a brief period" which is in the beginning but it does not describe humans it describes the comets
Correct: Blazing through the night sky for a brief period, comets have long fascinated humans.

How do you know you got about structure?

The answer choices aren't about grammar like verbs, tenses, or punctuation(most of the time it is about misplaced modifiers)

How to deal with question that deal about transition words?

Identify the two separate ideas being connected, identify the REALTIONSHIP between the two ideas, choose the corresponding transition words.
Ex: I normally get good grade. _____, this semester I failed my chemistry class

Furthermore, likewise, moreover, alternatively, also and are transition words that deal with

Similarities
Ex: I like eating cookies. Also, I like eating ice cream

Although, however, nevertheless, but , despite, still are transition words that deal with

Contrast
Ex: I worked all day on the project. However I wasn't able to complete it

because, therefore, thus, so, consequently , as a result are transition words that deal with

Cause and effect
Ex: I got the flu. Therefore, I did not attend class

for example, for instance, in fact, indeed are transition words that deal with

Providing example
Ex: I love playing sports. For example I play football, baseball, tennis, and soccer.

before, after, then, later, first, second, third are transition words that deal with

Sequence
Ex: I bought everything I needed to bake cookies. Then, I baked them.