sat grammar rules

parallel structure

all items in a list or comparison must have the same grammatical form

tip: make sure all items follow the same pattern or form

semicolons

joins two closely related independent clauses (complete thoughts)

tip: only use a semicolon if both parts can stand alone as a full sentence

nonrestrictive clauses vs . restrictive clauses

nonrestrictive - adds extra info; use commas

restrictive - essential info; no commas

tip: if the sentence’s meaning changes without the clause, do NOT use commas

who vs whom

use who when it’s the subject

whom when it’s the object

tip: substitute “he/she” (for who) or “him/her” (for whom) to test

dashes and colons

dashes - to add emphasis, interrupt a sentence, or insert a side comment

colons - to introduce a list, explanation, or clarification after a complete sentence

subject/verb agreement

the subject and verb in a sentence match in number—both must be singular or both must be plural