On the SAT, these Standard English conventions are broken down into two categories:

Form, Structure, and Sense

Boundary Questions

Boundaries questions focus on these Standard English conventions:

Linking Clauses

End of Sentence Punctuation

• Rules:

  • Separates 2 independent clauses.

  • Makes sense with the sentence.

• Types:

  • Period (.): Ends a complete thought.

  • Question Mark (?): Ends a direct question.

  • Exclamation Point (!): Ends an exclamatory sentence.

• Example:

  • "I went to the store. Then, I bought some groceries."

    Here, the period separates the two complete thoughts.

Coordination

• Rules:

  • Joining 2 independent clauses

• Coordinating Conjunctions:

  • For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (FANBOYS).

• Usage:

  • Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction when joining two independent clauses.

• Example:

  • "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain."

Subordination

• Rules:

  • Joining an independent clause with an independent clause by turning one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause with the use of a subordinating conjuction.

• Subordinating Conjunctions:

  • Although, Because, Since, Unless, While, etc.

• Usage:

  • A dependent clause cannot stand alone.

  • Example: "Although it was raining, I went for a walk." It was raining was an independent clause, but by using although which is a subordinating conjunction, it became a dependent clause.

  • No comma is needed if the dependent clause follows the independent clause.

Semicolons

• Definition:

  • A punctuation mark used to connect closely related independent clauses.

• Usage:

  • Use a semicolon to link two independent clauses without a conjunction.

  • Example: "I have a big test tomorrow; I can’t go out tonight."

  • Can also be used with conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore, moreover) to connect clauses.

• Example:

  • "I wanted to go for a walk; however, it started to rain."

  • "I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight."

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Supplements

Punctuation