SAT Grammar/Reading flashcards

Dependent clause

Starter + subject + verb

Dependent clause is not

A standalone sentence

Do not place a comma

Between a subject and its verb

Do not place a comma

Before or after a preposition

Dependent phrase

Lacks a subject and/or verb

Fragment

A group of words that is not a complete sentence, often because it is a dependent phrase or clause

Non-essential clause is between

Two commas, parentheses, or dashes

Do not mix and match

Commas, parentheses, or dashes when setting off a non-essential clause

Apostrophes: plural possessive

My parents’ house

Apostrophes: singular possessive

Parent’s

Apostrophes: plural non-possessive

Parents

It’s

It is; NOT possessive

Its

Possessive

The camp of boys ______ across the lake

Is

SUBJECT: The camp of boys ______ across the lake

Camp, singular

Each: is/are?

Is

Modifiers

A word or phrase that modifies/describes another word, usually the subject or noun

Dangling modifier

A modifier at the beginning of a sentence without a clear subject to modify

Dangling modifier: the subject must

Immediately follow the modifier

COMPARISONS: Her voice is as lovely as a bird

Incorrect because it compares her voice to a bird

COMPARISONS: Her voice is as lovely as THAT of a bird

Correct because it compares her voice to a bird’s voice

COMPARISONS: pay attention to

Singular versus plural

Transitions

Cause and effect, continuation, contrast

Subject-verb agreement

Identify the subject as singular or plural

Subject-verb agreement: to determine tense look for

Other verbs and how they are conjugated

Parallelism: lists must be consistent in

Verb conjugation or parts of speech/form

Semicolon that cannot change and no independent clause on either side (used to separate items in a list)

Ask where the list needs to be separated

Pronoun/noun agreement: replace…

The noun in a sentence with the pronoun

Pronoun/noun agreement: pay close attention

To whether the noun being replaced is singular or plural

Who vs. whom: WHO

Before a verb: “Who is going to the park?”

Who vs. whom: WHOM

Follows a preposition: “With whom are you speaking?” / “For whom?”

Continuation

Indeed

Cause and effect

Therefore

Contrast

Nevertheless

Independent clause

Subject + verb AND expresses a complete thought

Semicolon

Separates two independent clauses

Period

Separates two independent clauses

Comma + FANBOYS

Separates two independent clauses

FANBOYS

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Comma splice

Two independent clauses separated by only a comma; CANNOT DO

Comma

Can separate an independent clause from a dependent clause or phrase when the grammar calls for it

Commas separate

Items in a list

2 commas

Set off a non-essential clause

Dashes

Can set off a non-essential clause or, in certain constructions, separate a dependent phrase/clause from an independent clause

Colon MUST

Have an independent clause before it

What is a modifier?

A word or phrase that modifies/describes another word

What is a dangling modifier?

A modifier at the beginning of a sentence without a specific subject to modify

Dangling modifier: subject must

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW

Even so

Contrast

Moreover

Continuation

Nevertheless

Contrast

Above all

Continuation WITH EMPHASIS; putting one thing above all others

Many

Pronoun

Modifiers equal the

WHO OR WHAT of a sentence

Two dashes create

A non-essential clause