SAT and ACT Grammar and Punctuation Rules

This set of flashcards covers the comprehensive grammar and punctuation rules required for the SAT and ACT exams, based on updated digital SAT guidelines.

On the SAT and ACT, how are periods and semicolons treated in terms of grammar?

They are considered identical and grammatically interchangeable.

Where are semicolons and periods used effectively?

Between two complete sentences.

Besides separating sentences, where can a semicolon be placed in relation to conjunctive adverbs?

Before words like however, therefore, or moreover at the beginning of a clause.

When testing 'however' on the ACT, what punctuation does the correct version of a grammar question typically use?

A semicolon.

When testing 'however' on the ACT, what punctuation does the correct version of a rhetoric question typically use?

A period.

What are 'sentence boundary' questions?

Questions where the start of one sentence appears to be part of the previous sentence, requiring careful reading to the period.

In the example 'Barbara McClintock is a scientist whose discovery of ‘jumping’ genes helped earn her the Nobel Prize in $1983$, she won the award in Physiology or Medicine,' what is the error?

It is a comma splice connecting two complete sentences.

What is the primary function of colons and single dashes?

To introduce lists and explanations.

How does the SAT/ACT treat colons versus single dashes grammatically?

They are considered identical, though colons are tested more frequently.

Unlike a semicolon, what can follow a colon or a dash?

Either a full sentence or a fragment.

What is the requirement for the text preceding a colon or dash?

It must be a full sentence that makes sense as a complete thought.

Is the sentence 'London is home to a variety of: museums, castles, and shops' correct?

No, because the text before the colon is not a complete thought.

Is it correct to use a colon after phrases like 'including' or 'such as'?

No, those phrases should not be followed by a colon.

What is the grammatical identity of a colon or dash when they separate two sentences in an explanation?

They are identical to a period or semicolon.

Why do correct answers for separating sentences on the digital SAT frequently involve colons?

Because fewer students are familiar with how to use them for that purpose.

What conjunctions are represented by the acronym FANBOYS?

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

Which two FANBOYS conjunctions are the most popular on the exams?

And and But.

Which two FANBOYS conjunctions are tested infrequently?

So and Yet.

When two sentences are joined by only a comma, what is the resulting error called?

A comma splice.

What is a common tip-off for identifying a comma splice?

The combination of a comma followed by a pronoun like it, they, s/he, one, or you.

Is a comma used before a FANBOYS conjunction if the subject does not appear in the second clause?

No, no comma is used if the second clause lacks a subject.

What is the shortcut to check if 'comma + and/but' is used correctly?

Plug in a period in place of 'comma + and/but' and see if it creates two complete sentences.

What defines a dependent clause?

A fragment that cannot stand on its own and begins with a subordinating conjunction.

List examples of subordinating conjunctions.

Although, because, when, until, while, since, before, and after.

What punctuation is required when a dependent clause appears before an independent clause?

A comma must follow the dependent clause.

What are the three main types of transitions tested?

Continuers, Cause-and-Effect words, and Contradictors.

What is the purpose of 'Continuers'?

To add new/similar ideas, emphasize ideas, or convey sequence.

List examples of Continuer transitions.

In addition, moreover, in fact, for example, and then.

What is the purpose of 'Cause-and-Effect' transitions?

To show that an action or event is the result of a previous one.

List examples of Cause-and-Effect transitions.

Therefore, consequently, and thus.

What is the purpose of 'Contradictors'?

To signal opposing ideas.

List examples of Contradictor transitions.

However, nevertheless, and in contrast.

What strategy should be used to find the correct transition?

Cross out the transition and state the relationship (similar, opposite, cause-and-effect) between sentences.

If two transition answers have the exact same meaning, what should you do?

Eliminate both, as only one can be correct.

What is the 'OMIT/DELETE' rule for transitions on the ACT?

Check that option first, as it is usually correct if provided.

How is non-essential information defined?

Information that can be removed from a sentence without affecting its basic grammatical meaning.

What are the three punctuation pairs used for non-essential information?

$2$ Commas, $2$ Dashes, or $2$ Parentheses.

Are you allowed to mix and match different punctuation marks to set off non-essential information?

No, you must use the same type at both the beginning and end.

Which punctuation is used for non-essential words like 'however' or 'though'?

Commas only.

Is a comma before an open parenthesis ever correct?

No, it is always incorrect.

Is a comma before a close parenthesis correct?

No, it is almost always wrong.

Under what condition might a comma appear after a close parenthesis?

Only if required for a separate reasons, such as setting off a FANBOYS conjunction.

What are the two correct ways to punctuate a name or title in the middle of a sentence?

No commas at all or two commas (one before and one after).

Is a single comma before a name or title correct in the middle of a sentence?

No, this construction can be eliminated automatically.

How can you determine if a name is 'essential'?

Read the sentence without the name; if it no longer makes grammatical sense, the name is essential and needs no commas.

In the phrase 'Researchers led by engineering professor Vikram Iyer,' why are commas omitted?

The name is essential because the sentence lacks sense without it.

In the phrase 'Researchers led by a University of Washington engineering professor, Vikram Iyer, …' why are commas used?

The name is non-essential because the sentence makes sense without it.

How should items in a list of $3$ or more be separated?

Using commas after each item except the last one.

Is the 'Oxford' comma before the final 'and' tested on the SAT or ACT?

No, it is optional and not specifically tested.

When are commas used between two adjectives?

When the order of the adjectives can be reversed.

Are commas usually tested after introductory words like 'however' or 'in fact'?

No, though they are grammatically required.

What is the rule for commas and prepositions?

Commas should not be placed before or after a preposition.

List common prepositions targeted by comma misuse rules.

of, to, by, from, for, about, with, in, on, at.

Can a comma be placed between a subject and its verb?

No, even if the subject is very long.

What is the rule for commas and compound items linked by 'and'?

No comma should be used between compound nouns, verbs, or adjectives.

Should a comma be placed before or after the word 'that'?

No, it should not be used in either position.

Is a comma used when the word 'that' is optional and omitted?

No, no comma should be used in that construction.

Should a comma be used between adjectives whose order cannot be reversed?

No, no comma is used in such cases.

Is it correct to place a comma between an adjective and a noun?

No, that is incorrect.

What does a noun with an apostrophe indicate?

Possession.

What does a noun without an apostrophe indicate?

A plural noun that is not possessive.

How do you make a singular noun possessive?

Add apostrophe + $-s$ (e.g., cell's).

How do you make a regular plural noun possessive?

Add an apostrophe after the $-s$ or $-es$ (e.g., cells').

How do you make an irregular plural noun like 'people' possessive?

Add apostrophe + $-s$ (e.g., people's).

What is the common pattern for apostrophes with two consecutive nouns?

Apostrophe on the first noun and no apostrophe on the second (noun's noun).

For pronouns, what does the absence of an apostrophe indicate?

The possessive form.

What is the difference between 'it’s' and 'its'?

It's = it is; Its = possessive form of it.

Do 'its’' or 'its’s' exist in formal grammar?

No, they do not exist.

Which form of its/it's is almost always the answer on the ACT?

Its, because test-writers know students over-associate apostrophes with possession.

Define 'they’re,' 'their,' and 'there.'

They’re = they are; Their = possessive form of they; There = a place.

What is the difference between 'who’s' and 'whose'?

Who’s = who is; Whose = possessive of who.

Can 'whose' be used to refer to places and things?

Yes.

What are the singular pronouns for people on the SAT and ACT?

He or She (they do not use the singular they).

What are the singular pronouns for things?

It, its, itself.

What are the plural pronouns for both people and things?

They, them, their, themselves.

What is an antecedent?

The original noun that a pronoun replaces and refers back to.

When referring to people, should you use 'who' or 'which'?

Who (or whom).

When referring to things, should you use 'who' or 'which'?

Which.

What is the rule for using 'whom' relative to a verb?

Whom should never be used before a verb.

When should 'whom' be used instead of 'who'?

After a preposition.

How do third-person singular verbs typically end in the present tense?

With an $-s$ (e.g., it works).

How do third-person plural verbs typically end in the present tense?

Without an $-s$ (e.g., they work).

What are the singular and plural past tense forms of 'to be'?

Singular is was; Plural is were.

How is a compound subject (noun and noun) treated for verb agreement?

It is always treated as plural.

What is a common distraction used to hide subject-verb disagreement?

Placing a prepositional phrase between the subject and the verb.

Are collective nouns like 'group' or 'team' singular or plural?

Singular.

Are the words 'each' and 'every' treated as singular or plural?

Singular.

What is the general rule for verb tense consistency?

Keep the tense consistent with other verbs in the same paragraph.

Which verb tenses are found in correct answers most frequently?

Simple past or simple present.

What does the present perfect tense (has/have + verb) indicate?

An action that began in the past and continues into the present.

What are the common tip-off words for the present perfect tense?

For and Since.

When is the simple past tense used?

To describe a completed action in the past.

When is the past perfect (had + verb) used?

To describe the first of two completed actions in the past.

When the phrase 'by the time' appears, what tense must be used?

Past perfect.

What happens in the passive voice construction?

The subject and object are flipped so '$x$ did $y$' becomes '$y$ was done by $x$.'

Why is the passive voice often associated with incorrect answer choices?

It tends to be wordy and awkward.

How should you answer questions regarding the 'TO' vs '$-ING$' form of a verb?

By ear, as there is no specific formal rule for choosing between them.

What is parallel structure in a list of $3$ or more items?

Ensuring all items match in form (e.g., noun, noun, and noun).

List common word pairs that must always appear together.

(N)either…(n)or; Not only…but (also); As…as; More/less…than.

What is a dangling modifier?

When a descriptive phrase starts a sentence but does not describe the noun immediately following it.