SAT Grammar rules

Parallelism

a series of items is written in the same logical structure.

a list of actions or items might trigger a problem with structure.

example of incorrect usage:

I like running, hiking, and to swim

Adjectives

describe things, modify nouns or pronouns

ex. purple, kind, tall

Adverbs

modifty verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs usually end in --ly

ex. examine calmly

Comparative Form

used to compare two things typically formed by adding -er or more + adj. or more + adv.

ex. Of the two sauces, I liked the first one better.

Superlative Form

used to compare more than two things typically formed by -est or most + adj. or most +adv.

ex. My cat is the cutest cat of all.

Redundancy/Wordliness

a unncecssarily repetitive and usually contains a ridiculous repetition such as "free gifts" or "new innovation"

a pharse can usually be replaced with a more concise alternative, for example "a few " instead of "a small number of"

Word choice

similar sounding or similar looking words which are used incorrectly

ex. constrict vs. restrict

regenerated vs. regressed

Idioms

expressions which take on a meaning of their own; usually involve verb + preposition

ex: preoccupation with

Double Negatives

avoid pharses which use two negatives words instead of one

typical incorrect phrases:

can't scarcely/ scarcely no

can't hardly/ hardly no

can't barely/ barely no

Logical Comparisons

"Faulty Comparison"

always make sure you are comparing two indentical objects, people, or ideas.

examples of incorrect usage:

Mario's speeches were on a par with John F Kennedy.

Anna's food is better than Amy.

Lauren's dog won more prizes in the dog show than Oliver.

Misplaced Modifiers

make sure the correct modifier is placed directly next to the pharse it modifies

examples of incorrect usage:

Raised in a field without any pesicides, I prefer organic fruit.

Orbiting between Mars and Jupiter, researchers found a new group of asteroids.

Subject/Object Agreement

If the subject is plural, the object should be plural.

If the subject is singular, the object should be singular.

examples of incorrect usage

The children wanted to become an artist.

The teachers paid for supplies out of their own pocket.

Pronoun Consistency

Keep the chosen pronoun the same throughout the message

examples of incorrect usage

We have to follow the rules whether one wants to or not.

Can we empty the lint traps when you are done?

Noun/Pronoun Agreement

Nouns and pronouns must agree: plural nouns must have plural pronouns and singular nouns must have singular pronouns.

examples of incorrect usage:

Someone was riding their bike down the road.

Many people want to take his or her time

Subject-Verb Agreement

Plural subjects must have plural verbs. Singular subjects must have singular verbs.

examples of incorrect usage

The quarterback, along with the the other players, are out celebrating.

The company, having already made budget cuts, have decided to close.

Along the side of the road are a row of trees.

The players, after just one game, was tired.

Collective Nouns

Common structure: "A" or "The" followed by a noun. These take singular verbs and pronouns.

ex. The team is winning its game.

other common collective nouns - group, company, family, management

Collective Adjectives

Common structure: "A" or "The" followed by an adjective. These take plural verbs and pronouns.

ex.The elderly are enjoying the Silver Lake Cruise.

other common collective adjectives - rich, poor, long-suffering

Preposition

A word that shows time, space or logical relationships between words.

ex. above, across, after, against, among, around, at, before, beside, between, of

Prepositional Phrase

A preposition followed by a phrase (group of words)

ex. a bunch of roses, it's beween you and me, around every corner

Prepositional Phases and Agreement

Ignoring prepositional phrases can help with determining subject-verb agreement

ex. The coffee, as well as milk and pastries, is on its way over to you.

The coffee is...