SAT English Units 12 + Some Central Idea + Inferences Tricks

What is subject-verb agreement?

The subject and verb must match in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

Example of subject-verb agreement

The dog runs. / The dogs run.

What is a pronoun?

A word that replaces a noun (he, she, it, they, them).

What is an antecedent?

The noun that a pronoun replaces or refers to.

Example of pronoun-antecedent agreement

Cranberries are both sour and bitter, so people rarely eat them unsweetened. ("Them" refers to the plural noun "cranberries.")

Rule for pronoun-antecedent agreement

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and person.

Do plural nouns need an apostrophe?

No. Plural nouns do not use apostrophes.

How do you form a singular possessive noun?

Add 's (example: the dog's bone).

How do you form a plural possessive noun?

Add an apostrophe after the s (example: the dogs' bones).

Do possessive pronouns use apostrophes?

No. Pronouns like its, theirs, and yours never use apostrophes.

Its vs. It's

Its = belongs to it. It's = it is.

Their vs. They're vs. There

Their = belongs to them. They're = they are. There = a place.

What is an independent clause?

A complete sentence with a subject and verb that can stand alone.

Example of an independent clause

The dog barked.

What is a dependent clause?

A group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone because it does not express a complete thought.

What is a noun clause?

A clause that acts as a noun, often beginning with that, what, whether, or how.

Common words that begin noun clauses

That, what, whether, how.

What is an adjective clause?

A clause that describes or modifies a noun.

Common words that begin adjective clauses

Who, when, that, where.

What is an adverbial clause?

A clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb by explaining time, place, cause, or condition.

What is a coordinate clause?

Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Example of a coordinate clause

She wanted to go to the movies, but she had to go to work.

What are supplements?

Words, phrases, or clauses that add extra information to a sentence.

What are essential elements?

Information necessary for the sentence to make sense. They are NOT set off by punctuation.

What are nonessential elements?

Extra information that is not necessary for the sentence's meaning. They MUST be separated by punctuation.

What punctuation can separate nonessential elements?

Commas (,), parentheses ( ), or dashes (—).

When are commas used?

To separate list items, separate nonessential elements, and connect a dependent clause to an independent clause.

What does FANBOYS stand for?

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

When are semicolons used?

To join closely related independent clauses or separate list items that already contain commas.

When are colons used?

To introduce explanations or lists.

When are dashes used?

To separate nonessential information for emphasis.

What is a modifier?

A word, phrase, or clause that describes or clarifies another word.

Examples of modifiers

The blue ball. / She ran quickly. / We ate lunch in the park.

What is a misplaced modifier?

A modifier that is too far from the word it modifies, making the sentence unclear.

Example of a misplaced modifier

He walked the dog in a raincoat. (Sounds like the dog is wearing the raincoat.)

What is a dangling modifier?

A modifier that does not clearly describe the correct subject.

Example of a dangling modifier

Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on. (Sounds like the TV finished the assignment.)

Central Idea strategy

Abbreviate long scientific or unfamiliar terms while reading (ex: Dermochelys coriacea → DC).

What should you watch for in inference questions?

Qualifier words like always, never, all, most, and many. Make sure they match what the passage actually says.

Why are qualifier words important?

Extreme words are often incorrect if the passage only describes something happening sometimes.

What transition words show agreement or disagreement?

Similarly, however.

What transition words show sequence or order?

Previously, later.

What transition words show addition or examples?

In addition, for instance.

What transition words show cause and effect?

Therefore, as a result.