SAT Grammar

How can you separate two complete sentences?

1. A period- Go to them. They need you.

2. A semicolon- Go to them; they need you.

3. ", and" ", but" ", as" - They were winning, but we took the lead.

4- A colon : (only use if 1st sentence causes 2nd or if 2nd one is an example)

5- a Hypen

Subject

Noun that performs the action

Verb

action word that the subject performs

Adjective

word that describes a noun

Adverb

Word that describes an adjective, a verb, or another adverb.

(Usually end in -ly)

ex. Slowly

ex. "I did bad on that test." WRONG

ex. "I did badly on that test." GOOD

Preposition

Small connecting word that shows relationship

above

below

in

of

outside of

inside of

to

from

What are the 3 types of Objects?

1- Direct Object

2- Indirect Object

3- Object of the preposition

Direct Object

e.g. John passed the puck to Elizabeth.

Answers the question "Who?" or "What?"

Indirect Object

e.g. John passed the puck to Elizabeth.

Answers the question "To Whom?" or "For Whom?"

Indirect object is Elizabeth.

Object of the preposition

The noun that comes after the preposition

"to the store"

"above the floor"

"Below the attic"

"around the corner, up the street, down the road"

Can the subject of a sentence exist as an object of the preposition?

NO

Can the subject of a sentence exist as direct object?

NO

Can the subject of a sentence exist as an indirect object?

NO

What do you do when more than 1 answer is grammatically correct?

(as in, they don't violate any rules of grammar)

You pick the shortest one!

Match the TONE (formal or informal)

What does the colon : do?

(The hyphen - does the same things)

1. It introduces a list.

ex. We need three things: crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows.

2. It introduces a list with only 1 item.

ex. Yesterday I survived on one food: almonds.

3. Separate 2 complete sentences

Can you use the phrase":such as"

NO

"such as" and the colon (:) do the same thing!

Can you use "such as:"

NO

Can you use "such as,"

NO

What does the semicolon ; do?

Separates two complete sentences

What is the rule and 1 exception for making nouns possessive?

Rule: Add 's

Exception: Add only ' if you have already added an "s" to make the word plural

Make this possessive (singular)

dog

dog's

Make this possessive (singular)

class

class's

Make this word possessive:

bikes

bikes'

Make possessive (plural)

oxen

oxen's

What is the point of a transition word?

To connect the meaning of 1 sentence to the next one.

Transition words fall into 4 main groups. What are they?

SAME

OPPOSITE

CAUSE

EXAMPLE

What type of transition word is "whereas" ?

OPPOSITE

We're studying for the SAT, whereas my brother is sleeping right now.

Can you separate two sentences with

, whereas

?

YES

We're studying for the SAT, whereas my brother is sleeping right now.

Can you separate two sentences with

, as

?

YES

The times saw an artistic revolution, as the Impressionist movement flourished across Europe.

Where do you use a comma with "such as" ?

Comma BEFORE the "such as"

, such as

What type of transition word is "such as" ?

EXAMPLE

What type of transition word is "just as" ?

SIMILAR

What type of transition word is "while" ?

OPPOSITE

Does "however" come at the beginning of the sentence or the middle?

However must come at the BEGINNING

Must have a period or ; before the ". However,"

Which of these are correct and which are incorrect ?

We were planning to go camping. However, it is too cold.

We were planning to go camping, however, it is too cold.

We were planning to go camping; however, it is too cold.

We were planning to go camping. However, it is too cold. CORRECT

We were planning to go camping, however, it is too cold. WRONG

We were planning to go camping; however, it is too cold. CORRECT

Can you use ", however, " to separate 2 complete sentences?

HELL NO

Best 2 ways to combine 2 sentences

", as"

The times saw an artistic revolution, as the Impressionist movement flourished across Europe.

also a verb that ends in "-ing"

e.g. "The German Empire rapidly increased its power, spreading rapidly across its neighbors' borders"

What type of transition word is "moreover" ?

SAME

When talking about 2 things that are similar.

I have three tests this Friday. Moreover, I have a paper due on Monday.

What type of transition word is "Even So" ?

And where does it go in the sentence?

OPPOSITE

e.g. The rent for that office is very expensive. Even so, it is still a good deal.

What type of transition word is "as a result" ?

CAUSATION

When 1st thing causes the 2nd thing.

The power plant exploded. As a result, there was no power.

How to deal with a problem that asks about pronouns?

1- Find what the pronoun refers to (antecedent)

2- Read the sentence with the antecedent in place of the pronoun

3- Find if the pronoun should be singular or plural

4- (Bonus) Find if pronoun should be the subject or an object.

What is the hint for a "Transition Word" problem?

Read the previous sentence.

Find relationship (Same, opposite, cause, example)

Appositives

What punctuation do you need?

Eli Manning, Giants QB, is playing tonight.

Eli Manning- Giants QB- is playing tonight

Eli Manning (Giants QB) is playing

Parallel Form

Ex. How to improve "Italians, Germans, and people from America"

Italians, Germans, and Americans (Right)

In a list, the grammatical structure of each item must MATCH

Active voice

Luke hit the tree.

( Subject is doing the action)

Active voice vs passive voice

Which one is better?

Active is better

Passive voice

The tree was hit by Luke.

The city was destroyed by the bombers.

(Subject does not do the action in the real world)

Assume the info in graph/chart is

True!

It's vs. its

It's hot out. It is hot out.

The dog wagged its tail.

Where do we use commas when using quotation marks?

RIGHT BEFORE the 1st quote mark or RIGHT BEFORE the 2nd quote mark

She said, "Get away!"

"Go away," she said.

Could also use no commas

The book was titled: "How to Succeed at Business Without Really Trying"

Driving down the highway, ____________

A) I saw the trees

B). the trees appeared

What is the answer and why?

I saw the trees

Subject must be human

Hanging on the coat rack, __________

Subject must be a human or a thing?

A thing

What is the hint with a question where the only difference is punctuation, like ( . ; : )

A- Find out if you have 1 complete sentence or 2.

B- Find out if it's an appositive

"The writer is considering adding/deleting a portion here"

What is the hint?

1- skip the yes/no part

2- Decide based only on the REASON

What are the 6 grammar tactics?

1- Find what's different in answers.

2- Find Question type.

3- Remember Hint for question type.

4- Read sentence with answers A-D in it.

5- Find the role in the sentence (direct object, indirect object, object of the preposition, appositive)

6- Find the subject and verb.

Particularly when looking at old paintings, __________

Subject must be a human being or a thing?

Human or animal

(NOT other paintings or art)

She is a [domineering, or strict, boss.]

A) No Change

B) domineering, or strict boss

C) domineering or strict boss

D) domineering- or strict boss

A is correct

She is a domineering, or strict, boss.

What type of transition word is "Still" ?

(same, opposite, cause, example, etc.)

Like "even so," (CONTRAST)

Kyleigh's law says that we cannot drive after 11pm. Still, my friends and I will stay out anyways.

What type of transition word is "Stunningly" ?

CONTRAST

What type of transition word is "therefore"?

CAUSATION

1st item causes 2nd item

It was raining. Therefore, we went to the movies.

What is the difference between "than" and "then"

then = time We have school, then practice

than = comparison.

We have more homework than they do.

For many people, "fashion" -the latest lines of shoes, suits, dresses, or [furniture;] refers to new things.

A) furniture; (No Change)

B) furniture

C) furniture,

D) furniture-

D) furniture-

For many people, "fashion" -the latest lines of shoes, suits, dresses, or furniture- refers to new things.

Why?

Because that is one big appositive

What is the hint for this problem type?

"Which choice most effectively sets up the examples that follow?"

or "which one is most relevant?"

1) IDENTIFY the examples in the next couple sentences

2) Decide what they are examples of

3) Choose the answer most SPECIFIC to the examples that follow.

What type of transition word is "Nevertheless"?

CONTRAST

When 2 things are against each other

Ex. There is a foot of snow on the ground. Nevertheless, we have school tomorrow.

What type of transition is "Just as.... so too"?

SIMILARITY

Just as A, so too does B.

Meaning: B does a similar thing as A.

What type of transition words are:

"While, Still, Even though, True, Nevertheless"

CONTRAST

"WHILE the infrastructure plan will cost $2B, it will cut traffic."

"TRUE, the plan will cost $2B, but it will cut traffic"

"EVEN THOUGH the Jets had a terrible record, they have a chance to pick up good people in the offseason"

"Hackenberg hasn't started all year. STILL, he is the best option."

"I don't like doing my English homework. NEVERTHELESS, I have to do it to get an A."

The pronoun "who" refers to people or things?

Example, Which is right?

"Police officers that quit"

"Police officers who quit"

People

E.g.

"Those who run"

"People who swim"

"Police officers who quit"

The pronoun "that" refers to people or things

Things, nouns that aren't people

"All trains that pass through this station"

"Those cars that don't pass inspection"

Verbs (and verb phrases) can act as what parts of speech

Nouns

Adjectives

Adverbs

Gerund

Verb acting as a noun

e.g. Swimming is not the best sport.

Running is exhausting.

Participle

Verb acting as an adjective or adverb

e.g. This style, rooted in the music of the 60s, is very cool.

Dependent Clause

Part of a sentence that cannot stand on its own.

Doesn't have a subject and verb OR it has a transition word.

e.g.

While we were in the desert,

Going through your locker,

Backdropped by white, green, and black curtains,

What to do when more than 1 answer choice is grammatically correct?

Pick the shortest one

OR

the one with the correct tone (formal vs informal)

I and me.

Which one is used as a subject, and which is used as an object?

I is the subject

(e.g. I am going to the store)

Me is the object

(Throw me the ball)

(Don't throw me over the cliff)

He and Him

Which one is used as a subject, and which is used as an object?

He is the subject.

(e.g. He is trying out for the baseball team)

Him is the object

(e.g. They are giving him a chance at Left Field)

Her and She

Which one is used as a subject, and which is used as an object?

She is the subject

(e.g. She is one of the best gymnasts in the county)

Her is the object

(e.g. She is going to show off her balance beam routine)

Whom and who

Which one is used as a subject, and which is used as an object?

Who is the subject

(e.g. Who is playing the Spring Fling concert this year?)

Whom is the object

(e.g. Whom should I write this letter to?)

What is the trick for remembering when to use "who" and "whom" ?

Plug in "he" and "him"

If "he" works, it's "who"

If "him" works, it's "whom"

They and their refer ONLY to singular or plural things?

Plural things! More than 1!

Singular is incorrect!

Further vs Farther

Further means depth into a topic

Farther means physical DISTANCE

Some questions have answers where the only difference is commas.

What do you do?

ex.

This is how carbon can be sequestered, [or removed from] the atmosphere

A) or removed from

B) or removed from,

C) or, removed from,

D) or removed, from

Read the sentence WITHOUT looking at their punctuation.

EXAGGERATE your pauses

Put commas where you paused.

D.

How can a clause have a subject and verb, but still not be a complete sentence?

It can have a TRANSITION WORD at the beginning.

Ex.

I was in the kitchen. (Sentence)

While I was in the kitchen, (Not a Sentence)

also "Which" "When" "While"

What can you tell when an answer choice includes the word "being" ?

It is most likely WRONG

When you have "not only," what else should you use?

"But also"

"Not only ___, but also _____"

"Not only is he tall, but he is also strong."

what is the function of the dash or -

1- Separate appositives

2- Define words

effect

noun

an outcome or result

affect

verb

to change

less

I have less money

We have less sand

THINGS YOU CANNOT COUNT

eg you cant say "1 money, 2 money, 3 sand, 4 sand"

fewer

I have fewer dollars

I have fewer grains of sand

THINGS YOU CAN COUNT

"1 dollar, 2 dollars, 3 grains of sand...etc"

In academia, what's better 2 short sentences or 1 longer sentence.

1 longer sentence

What does this mean: "went so far as"

e.g.

"Jeff Sessions went so far as to say he liked the KKK"

Taking an extreme position when you normally dont

What is the hint for this type of problem?

"To make this paragraph most logical, this sentence should be placed where?"

Look for the PRONOUNS and what they refer to.

The sentence should come after what its pronouns refer to

Also, if the sentence introduces a concept that another sentence refers BACK to, it must come BEFORE that other sentence.

Can you use "such as,"

NO

Can the subject or predicate exist in the appositive?

NO

Where can you usually find the thesis, or the central point of a passage?

First or Last sentence of the first paragraph

Can you change any part of the sentence that is not underlined?

No

--

--

Can you use 2 colons to separate an appositive?

No

Can you use "with:" ?

Nope

Can you use "with-" ?

Nope