SAT Grammar & Punctuation - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering punctuation rules (periods, semicolons, colons, dashes, commas), transitions, tense, structure, and apostrophe usage from Pages 1–4.

Period

Punctuation that ends a sentence; can also link two independent clauses in SAT style as an alternative to a semicolon.

Semicolon

Links two independent clauses or separates items in a complex list; used before a conjunctive adverb in SAT rules.

Conjunctive Adverb

A word like Therefore or Thus that connects two independent clauses; typically preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.

Independent Clause

A group of words that forms a complete sentence and can stand alone.

Dependent List

A list that follows an independent clause and is introduced by a colon or dash.

Dependent Explanation

An explanation following a colon or dash that clarifies the preceding clause.

Colon

A punctuation mark used to introduce a list or explanation after an independent clause.

Dash

A punctuation mark used to introduce a list or explanation; can substitute for a colon in SAT contexts.

FANBOY

Coordinating conjunctions For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet; used with a comma to join two independent clauses.

Subordinating Conjunction

A conjunction that introduces a dependent clause (e.g., Although, Because, Since).

Comma + FANBOY

Use a comma before a FANBOY when joining two independent clauses.

Comma + Dependent Clause

Use a comma after a dependent clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Serial (Oxford) Comma

Comma used to separate items in a list; often includes a comma before the final item.

And Test

A quick check for whether to insert a comma between adjectives; if you can comfortably insert 'and' between them, a comma is needed.

Nonessential Information

Extra information that can be ignored without changing the core meaning; set off by double commas, dashes, or parentheses.

Transition

Words or phrases that link sentences to show relationships such as support, addition, contrast, or example.

Tense Consistency

Keep verb tenses consistent across a sentence or passage (past, present, future).

Past Tense

Verbs describing actions completed in the past (e.g., walked, said).

Present Tense

Verbs describing actions happening now (e.g., walks, says).

Future Tense

Verbs describing actions that will happen (e.g., will walk).

Parallel Structure

Maintain the same grammatical form when listing items or using linked verbs (consistency of -ing, -ed, etc.).

Apostrophe

A mark used to show possession or to form contractions.

Its vs It’s

Its is possessive; It’s is the contraction of it is.

They’re vs Their vs There

They’re = they are; Their = possessive; There = location.

Whose vs Who’s

Whose is possessive; Who’s is the contraction of who is.

Louis’ Rule

When a word ends in s, add an apostrophe to show possession (e.g., Louis’ hand).

Passive Voice

Sentence structure where the subject receives the action; typically less direct; SAT prefers active voice.

Dangling Modifier

A modifier placed so that it does not clearly modify the word it intends to describe.

Faulty Comparison

Only compare things that are truly comparable; avoid illogical or incomplete comparisons.