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Test Best Academy SAT Prep > SAT Grammar & Punctuation Flashcards > Flashcards

SAT Grammar & Punctuation Flashcards

1
Q

Semicolon

A

Same as a period on the SAT/ACT 95% of the time…

When being used as a period, semicolons need a full independent clause before & after.

(ONE EXCEPTION: when the are other semicolons in the sentence… then it could be a a semicolon list… e.g. The three people remaining in the cooking competition were Maria, the pilot; Alex, the firefighter; and Jamie, the engineer.)

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2
Q

Independent Clause

3 requirements

A

Requires three things:

  1. Subject
  2. Verb
  3. Complete thought

An independent clause can be a full sentence OR you can have two independent clauses in one sentence if there is a comma w/ FANBOYS in between.

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3
Q

The Semicolon/Period Trick

A

If there are two answers where the only difference is a period vs. a semicolon, immediately eliminate both answers because the SAT & ACT consider them to be the SAME.

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4
Q

Semicolon Strategy

What to do when you see a semicolon in the answers

A
  1. Check to see if there is an independent clause before and after the semicolon.
  2. If there is, then the semicolon works.
  3. If there isn’t, then the semicolon does not work.
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5
Q

Sentence Fragment

A

A group of words that looks like it could be a sentence, but does not meet the three requirements for an independent clause.
(subject, verb, complete thought)

You can’t have a fragment BEFORE a colon, semicolon, or single dash.

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6
Q

Run-On Sentence

A

Two independent clauses without sufficient punctuation between them.

Ex of Run-On: I was so excited I got 1570!

Acceptable puntuation between two independent clauses: (1) a period, (2) a semicolon, or (3) a comma w/ and or but.

(1) I was so excited, and I got 1570!
(2) I was so excited; I got 1570!
(3) I was so excited. I got 1570!

PS: You could also correct it by saying “I was so excited that I got a 1570”… the “that” makes the phrase “that I got a 1570” is now an “adjective clause” about the word “excited” … therefore it would no longer be a independent clause… Therefore, it would no longer be a run-on.

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7
Q

Acceptable Punctuation Between Two Independent Clauses

A
  1. Period
  2. Semicolon
  3. Comma with FANBOYS
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8
Q

Ways To Fix a Run-On Sentence

When you have two independent clauses

A
  1. Add a period.
  2. Add a semicolon.
  3. Add a comma with FANBOYS
  4. Make one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause
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9
Q

Fragments & Run-Ons
Strategy

Use this when you see a period/semicolon/comma w/ FANBOYS in the answers

A

Look for fragment/run-on when the answers are subjects/verbs (e.g. she was) OR there are periods/semicolons/commas in the answers.

  1. Check every answer choice to check if there are two independent clauses.
  2. If there are, the period/semicolon/comma with and/but works
  3. If there are not, don’t use the period/semicolon/comma with and/but.
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10
Q

Identifying Fragments & Run-Ons Questions

A
  1. There is a period, semicolon, or comma with and/but in the answers.
  2. The answers have a subject and verb (e.g. she was)
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11
Q

Double Dashes

A

Function like parentheses on the SAT/ACT… The part in between the dashes should be able to be taken out of the sentence.

For example: My dog - a maltipoo - wants my attention.
(It’d be grammatically fine as: My dog wants my attention.)

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12
Q

Colons

Used for two things…

A

Used for:

  1. Lists containing three or more items
  2. Elaboration

***MUST have a full independent clause (that could be a sentence on its own) before it.

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13
Q

The Most Important Colon Rule

A

Before a colon there must be a full independent clause.

After a colon there can be either an independent or dependent clause.

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14
Q

Colon List Trick #1
(Before a List)

A

In order to put a colon before a list, there can’t be another word or phrase setting up the list— like “such as” or “including.”

This would NOT be ok | “I love many things, including: reading, running, and surfing” … We want either the “,including” or the “:” but NOT BOTH.

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15
Q

Colon List Trick #2
(After a List)

A

When you put a colon before a list, the sentence must end with a period after the list.

This would be OK… “I’ve decided my favorite triologies: Star Wars, Iron Man, and Jurassic Park.” (The sentence ends with a period at the end of the list)

This would be NOT be OK… “I’ve decided my favorite triologies: Star Wars, Iron Man, and Jurassic Park because I love action so much.” (The sentence doesn’t end after the list and keeps going… this isn’t OK!)

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16
Q

Colons Strategy

A
  1. For all colons answers, check to see if there is a full independent clause before the colon— if not, eliminate the colon answer.
  2. If an answer is an elaboration colon that has a full independent clause before it, it’s probably right.
  3. If an answer has a list colon that has a full independent clause before it and does not have a word setting up the list (like “such as”) nor a continuation of the sentence after the list ends, it’s probably right.
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17
Q

The 5 Primary Uses of Commas

A
  1. Intro Clause Commas
  2. Comma with and/but
  3. Commas in Lists
  4. Between Two Adjectives
  5. Appositive Phrases
  6. Descriptive Commas
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18
Q

Intro Clause Commas

A

Commas used to separate an intro clause from a main independent clause.

Ex: “During my morning walk, I saw a coyote.”

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19
Q

Comma with FANBOYS

A

A comma with and/but acts like a period between two independent clauses on the SAT.

If you use a comma w/ FANBOYS, you must have an independent clause on both sides.

Here’s it used correctly:
“I got on my bike, and I rode away.”

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20
Q

Commas in Lists

A

In a list of three or more things, there must be a comma before the “and”

Ex: Red, blue, and green.

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21
Q

Commas Between Two Adjectives

A

When using two adjectives to describe something, the use of a comma between the adjectives is optional.

Ex: Clifford is a big, red dog.

THIS COMMA IS OPTIONAL. Both “Clifford is a big, red dog.” AND “Clifford is a big red dog.” are correct… kinda weird but true… they wouldn’t make you choose between those two sentences because they deem both correct.

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22
Q

Appositive Phrase

A

A phrase in between two commas that can be removed from the sentence and the sentence would it still be grammatically correct.

Ex: I follow College Greg, my college apps coach, on TikTok

We could just say “I follow College Greg on TikTok” … notice how the appositive phrase “, my college apps coach,” could be taken out

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23
Q

Commas Strategy

A
  1. For all questions with a comma in the answers, look at all the commas in the sentence to determine what each one is doing
  2. If the comma’s function can’t be immediately identified, see if there is another comma in the sentence that could form an appositive phrase.
  3. If no function can be identified, read the comma as an “exaggerated pause.”
  4. If you can’t find a reason to put in the comma, leave it out!
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24
Q

The Apostrophes Possession Exceptions

Apostrophes always mean possession, except in these two words…

A

There are two words where the apostrophe is not possessive:
It’s (it is) and who’s (who is)

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25
Q

Apostrophes Strategy

A
  1. Check to see if the word with the apostrophe possesses or is associated with the next word.
  2. If so, check to see if you word should be singular possessive (one owner) or plural possessive (multiple owners).
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26
Q

Singular Possessive

Brother’s means…

A

Signifies that there is only one owner

Ex: My friend’s phone
(phone belows to one friend)

One brother owns something.

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27
Q

Plural Possessive

Brothers’ means…

A

Signifies that there are multiple owners.

Ex: My brothers’ room
(if you had two brothers that shared a room… this is how you’d say it)

Multiple brothers own something.

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28
Q

Subject/Verb Agreement
(Present Tense)

A
  • When there is a singular subject, put an “s” at the end of the verb. (Ex. She runs)
  • When there is a plural subject, do not put an “s” at the end of the verb. (Ex. They run)
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29
Q

Subject/Verb Agreement
(Past Tense)

A
  • When singular, the tense uses the auxiliary verb “was”
  • When plural, the tense uses the auxiliary verb “were”
30
Q

Subject/Verb Agreement
(Present Perfect Tense)

When do we use the perfect tense?

A
  • When singular, the tense uses the auxiliary verb “has” (ex: it has been a while)
  • When plural, the tense uses the auxiliary verb “have” (ex: wow they have grown)

The perfect tense is used when something starts in the past and is still happening now. (ex: You have been in high school since the first day of 9th grade)

31
Q

Subject/Verb Trick #1
(Prepositional Phrases)

A

There can be a decoy subject in a prepositional phrase.

“The leaders of the Andromeda galaxy” … the subject is “leaders” not “the Andromeda galaxy” because “the Andromeda galaxy” is after an “of” (preposition), aka any prepositional phrase.

32
Q

Prepositional Phrase

A

A group of words that starts with a preposition (of, in, by, at, on, etc.) and modifies an object.

Examples:
The leader of the students…
The books on the table…
The workers at the factory…
The birds in the nest…
The chairs by the beach…

Most prepositions can be thought of as “anything a plane can do to a cloud”… a plane can go in a cloud (so “in” is a preposition), through a cloud, beside a cloud, around a cloud, etc…

33
Q

Subject/Verb Trick #2
(Appositive Phrases)

A

The test can use appositive phrases to put distance between the subject and the verb.
Remove the appositive phrase to simplify the sentence.

Example Sentence: The Earthbenders, armed with the power to move natural earth at will, defended themselves against ruthless attacks from the Fire Nation”

The subject is “The Earthbenders” and the verb is “defended”… but this big appositive phrase “, armed with the power to move natural earth at will,” gets in the way of that being super clear…. so remove the appositive phrase to simplify the sentence.

34
Q

Subject/Verb Trick #3
(Clauses)

A

The verb and its subject must be in the same clause.

(Don’t look for the subject of a verb in a different clause than the verb is in…)

35
Q

5 Primary Verb Tenses

A
  1. Future
  2. Present
  3. Past
  4. Present Perfect (has, have)
  5. Past Perfect (had)
36
Q

Present Perfect

A
  • Uses “has” or “have” as auxiliary verbs in front of the main verb.
  • Indicates something started in the past continuing into the present.

Ex: You have been in high school since the first day of 9th grade.

37
Q

Past Perfect

A
  • Uses “had” as an auxiliary verb in front of the main verb.
  • Indicates a prolonged period of time in the past.

Ex: I had run every day for a year… until I decided to start swimming every day instead.
(The “I had run” goes with the idea that there was a prolonged period of running)

38
Q

Verb Tense Patterns

A

When you see an underlined verb, its form (tense) should match the other verbs in any sentence patterns.

Correct Ex: He studied, reviewed, and learned

39
Q

When you see a verb in the answers, look for…

A

Subject (or) Pattern

Every time you see an undefined verb, look to make sure it matches its SUBJECT & matches the sentence’s verb PATTERN.

40
Q

Pronoun

A

A word that takes the place of a noun. (e.g. it, she, he, they, them)

He, she, it, they, them, etc…

41
Q

Mismatched Pronoun

A

When the text uses the wrong pronoun to refer to the antecedent.

Ex of mismatched pronoun: I train dogs by connecting with it.
(“it” doesn’t match the antecedent “dogs” so this is a mismatched pronoun… It should be “I train dogs by connecting with them”)

To identify these questions: they typically have four pronouns as answers.

Ex: The dog was excited when their owner came home. (wrong pronoun)

42
Q

Antecedent

A

The word a pronoun refers to.

Take this example sentence: “I train dogs by connecting with them”
…“them” is the pronoun and “dogs” is the antecedent.

TIP: You should be able to replace the pronoun with the antecedent and the sentence should still make sense. (e.g. I trained dogs by connecting with dogs). If it works, you found the right antecedent.

43
Q

Ambiguous Pronoun

A

When the test uses a pronoun that does not have a clear antecedent.

*when this happens, pick an answer that takes out the pronoun.

**questions need to have an answer that isn’t a pronoun.

44
Q

Pronouns Strategy

A

When you see pronoun answers:

  1. Look for the antecedent
  2. If you can find the antecedent, match it with the correct pronoun.
  3. If you can’t find the antecedent (or if it is unclear) it might be an ambiguous pronoun question— pick the answer that replaces the pronoun with a noun.
45
Q

Modifier (Introductory) Clauses

A

An intro clause that refers to something that it does not name.

Ex: Known for his incredible voice, Morgan Freeman is talented.
Here “Known for his incredible voice,” is the Modifier Intro Clause.

TIP: the thing to which the intro clause refers must come right after the intro clause comma….

  • Correct: Known as the happiest place on earth, Disneyland…
  • Incorrect: Known as the happiest place on earth, Walt Disney…
    (the intro clause is describing Disneyland, not Walt Disney)
46
Q

Dangling Modifier

A

An introductory clause that refers to something that is NOT immediately after the period.

  • Dangling Modifier: Known as the happiest place on earth, Walt Disney…
  • Correct Modifier Use: Known as the happiest place on earth, Disneyland…
47
Q

The 2 Signs of a Dangling Modifier Question

A
  1. The answers are different options for the intro clause
  2. The answer all begin right after a comma
48
Q

Dangling Modifier Strategy

A

1) Recognize that it’s a dangling modifier question by either
a. The answers are different options for the intro clause
b. The answer all begin right after a comma

2) Select the answer that ensures that the modifying intro clause matches up with the word(s) right after the intro clause comma.

49
Q

That v. Which

A

That = used for clauses with information that is necessary to understanding the preceding noun

Ex: The drones that can avoid obstacles are safer to fly

Which = used for clauses with information that is not necessary to understanding the preceding noun

Ex: My favorite pizzeria, which has arcade games, makes the best pizza.

50
Q

Who v. Whom

A

Who = Subject (performs a verb/action)
Example: Who is going to the party?

Whom = Object (receives a verb/action)
Example: You went out with whom?

51
Q

Who v. Which v. That

A

Who = used when referring to people

Which/That = used when referring to things that are not people

52
Q

Then v. Than

A

Than = used for comparisons

Then = used to express time or order

53
Q

There, Their, They’re

A

There = used to express “at that place,” as well as to introduce someone/something

Their = used to express possession

They’re = a contraction of “they are”

54
Q

Redundancy

A

Repetition of the same idea or information.

*if a question doesn’t ask for anything specific, the test almost always prefers the answer that relates the information in the fewest number of words.

55
Q

Redundancy Strategy

A
  1. Recognize that it’s a redundancy question by looking at the answers: there are usually 2-3 longer answers that kinda say the same thing and 1-2 answers that is/are shorter.
  2. Select the shortest answer that still makes sense.
56
Q

Diction

A

Word Choice

*these are vocabulary questions on the test.

**when all four answer choices are different vocabulary words, it is most likely a diction question.

57
Q

Idioms

A

The pairing of words as they are used in English.

Correct: Capable of success
Incorrect: Capable to success

58
Q

Diction Strategy

A
  1. How to Identify: All four answers are different vocabulary words.
  2. Guess your own word/phrase.
  3. Pick the word that best matches your guess.
59
Q

Idioms Strategy

A
  1. How to identify: all four answers have article words (i.e. of, on, in, at, with, etc.)
  2. Find the word that you’re pairing the article with, then “sound out” in your mind which word/article is right

Correct: Capable of success
Incorrect: Capable to success

60
Q

READ Question Strategy

A
  1. READ THE QUESTION SUPER CAREFULLY AND CIRCLE KEY WORDS.
  2. Pick the answer that give you what the question is looking for.

(3. Re-read the question for key answer requirements if you’re stuck between two answers.)

61
Q

Transition Questions Strategy

A
  1. IDENTIFY: Have four transition words as answers (in addition, however, thus, etc.)
  2. Read Sentence Before/After Transition
  3. Determine if relationship is ADDITION, CONTRAST, CAUSATION, or ELABORATION (ACCE).
  4. Choose the transition that matches the relationship you identified
62
Q

“Addition” Transition Words

A

Build on the previous sentence

Examples: then, next, in addition (to), moreover, also, indeed, likewise, for example, finally, in fact…

63
Q

“Contrast” Transition Words

A

Contrast with (1) the previous sentence or (2) the second half of the same sentence.

Examples: however, nevertheless, although, though, while, whereas, on the other hand, despite this…

64
Q

“Causation” Transition Words

A

Show that the sentence is caused by the information in the previous sentence.

Examples: therefore, thus, as a result, consequently, since…

65
Q

Moving Sentence Questions

A

Questions that ask where a sentence should be placed in a passage.

*look for (1) chronology and (2) references to other parts of the passage.

66
Q

Transition Trick #1
(When to Read Ahead)

A

Read ahead if:

  1. The question asks you to, or…
  2. It’s the first sentence of a paragraph
67
Q

Transition Trick #2
(Paragraph Lists)

A

If multiple sentences in the paragraph are listing off things/ideas/steps, words like “in addition,” “also,” “then,” or “finally,” often make sense.

68
Q

Transition Strategy

A
  1. Circle key words for the main idea of the previous sentence.
  2. Circle key words for the main idea of the transition word sentence.
  3. Determine if you need an addition, contrast, or causation transition.
69
Q

Moving Sentence Strategy

A

Look for (1) chronology (order of events) or (2) references to some part of the passage.

70
Q

Primary Purpose/Main Goal Strategy

A

Be attentive to the “big picture”— just because something is in the passage doesn’t mean that it’s the “main goal” or “primary purpose.”

Treat each answer as a “true/false” and be super attentive to small details.

71
Q

Descriptive Comma

A

A comma after the main independent clause that descibes the last word/idea of that independent clause.

Ex: I was fascinated by Social Identity Theory, a psychological framework that explains how individuals’ self-concepts are influenced by their membership in social groups.

(1) The “Descriptive Comma” is between “Theory” and “a psychological framework”
(2) The independent clause is “I was fascinated by Social Identity Theory” … then we describe/define Social Identity Theory (the last word/idea in the independent clause) after the comma: “ , a psychological framework that explains how individuals’ self-concepts are influenced by their membership in social groups.”

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