SAT Standard English Conventions: Mastering Grammar and Punctuation in Context

Boundaries

An SAT grammar skill that tests where complete thoughts begin and end and which punctuation or connecting words correctly join or separate them.

Independent clause

A group of words with a subject, a verb, and a complete idea that can stand alone as a sentence.

Dependent clause

A group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone because it begins with a word such as because, although, when, if, or which.

Fragment

An incomplete sentence that is missing a full independent clause.

Run-on sentence

An error in which two independent clauses are joined with no proper punctuation or connector.

Comma splice

An error in which two independent clauses are joined only by a comma.

Semicolon

Punctuation that correctly joins two closely related independent clauses; both sides must be complete sentences.

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)

The words for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so; when joining two independent clauses, they are usually used with a comma.

Conjunctive adverb

A transition word such as however, therefore, or moreover that cannot by itself join two independent clauses with just a comma.

Colon

Punctuation that introduces an explanation, list, or amplification; the words before it must form a complete sentence.

Dash

Punctuation that can introduce an explanation like a colon or set off extra information like parentheses.

Introductory phrase or clause

An opening element that sets up the sentence and is often followed by a comma, especially when it is dependent.

Essential information

Information needed to identify the noun it describes; it should not be set off with commas.

Nonessential information

Extra detail that is not needed to identify the noun; it should be set off with commas, dashes, or parentheses.

Form, structure, and sense

An SAT grammar area that tests whether word forms, sentence structure, and overall meaning are grammatical, logical, and clear.

Verb tense consistency

The rule that verb tenses should stay aligned with the passage's time frame unless a real shift in time is needed.

Perfect tense

A verb form using has, have, or had plus a past participle to show that one action happened before another.

Subject-verb agreement

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, even when extra words come between them.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

The rule that a pronoun must clearly match the noun it refers to in number and person.

Pronoun ambiguity

A problem that occurs when a pronoun could reasonably refer to more than one noun.

Modifier

A word or phrase that describes another part of the sentence and should be placed near what it modifies.

Misplaced modifier

A modifier that is too far from the word it describes, creating confusion or unintended meaning.

Dangling modifier

An introductory descriptive phrase whose implied actor does not appear as the subject of the main clause.

Parallel structure

The use of matching grammatical forms in a list, comparison, or paired construction.

Logical comparison

A comparison that matches like with like, often clarified with wording such as that of or those of.