SAT Writing and Language
1. Grammar and Usage
Goal:
The goal of this section is to develop a strong understanding of grammar
rules and apply them to ensure sentences are correct, clear, and concise.
Mastering these basics helps in identifying and fixing common errors in
grammar and sentence structure.
Key Topics
1. Subject-Verb Agreement
Definition: A subject and its verb must agree in number. Singular
subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
Key Rules:
o Singular subjects require singular verbs:
Example: "The cat runs fast." (Correct)
Incorrect: "The cat run fast."
o Plural subjects require plural verbs:
Example: "The cats run fast." (Correct)
Incorrect: "The cats runs fast."
o Ignore phrases between the subject and verb when determining
agreement:
Example: "The bouquet of flowers is beautiful." (Correct)
Incorrect: "The bouquet of flowers are beautiful."
o Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone) are singular:
Example: "Everyone is invited to the party." (Correct)
Incorrect: "Everyone are invited to the party."
2. Punctuation
Definition: Proper punctuation ensures clarity and organization in
sentences. Misuse of punctuation can lead to confusion.
Key Rules:
o Commas:
Separate items in a list:
Example: "She likes apples, bananas, and oranges."
After introductory elements:
Example: "After the meeting, we went to lunch."
Incorrect: "After the meeting we went to lunch."
o Semicolons:
Link closely related independent clauses:
Example: "I have a big test tomorrow; I can’t go to
the party."
Incorrect: "I have a big test tomorrow, I can’t go to the
party."
o Colons:
Introduce lists, explanations, or clarifications:
Example: "She brought everything: pencils,
notebooks, and her laptop."
Incorrect: "She brought everything; pencils, notebooks, and
her laptop."
o Dashes:
Add emphasis or mark a break in thought:
Example: "Her decision—though controversial—was
final."
3. Sentence Structure
Definition: Proper sentence structure ensures sentences are
complete, clear, and logically organized.
Key Rules:
o Avoid Sentence Fragments:
A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought.
Example: "Running late for the bus." (Fragment)
Corrected: "She was running late for the bus."
o Avoid Run-On Sentences:
A run-on occurs when two independent clauses are
improperly joined.
Example: "He loves math he hates science." (Run-on)
Corrected: "He loves math, but he hates science."
o Avoid Comma Splices:
A comma splice happens when two independent clauses
are joined by only a comma.
Example: "She went to the store, she bought groceries."
(Comma splice)
Corrected: "She went to the store; she bought groceries."
Examples and Explanations
1. Subject-Verb Agreement:
o Incorrect: "The team of players are practicing for the game."
o Corrected: "The team of players is practicing for the game."
o Explanation: "Team" is singular, so the verb should be singular.
2. Punctuation:
o Incorrect: "I need to buy eggs milk and bread."
o Corrected: "I need to buy eggs, milk, and bread."
o Explanation: Commas are needed to separate items in a list.
3. Sentence Structure:
o Incorrect: "The boy, who is very smart."
o Corrected: "The boy, who is very smart, aced the test."
o Explanation: The original is a fragment, missing the main clause.
Practice Questions: Identify the Errors
1. Everyone in the group are excited for the trip.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: Everyone in the group is excited for the trip.
Explanation: "Everyone" is a singular indefinite pronoun, so it requires
a singular verb.
2. The committee are discussing the new policy.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: The committee is discussing the new policy.
Explanation: "Committee" is a singular collective noun, so the verb
must be singular.
3. She loves cooking, hiking, and to travel.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: She loves cooking, hiking, and traveling.
Explanation: All items in a list must be in parallel form.
4. The box of chocolates were left on the table.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: The box of chocolates was left on the table.
Explanation: The subject "box" is singular, so the verb must be
singular.
5. The car, along with its passengers, were found near the river.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: The car, along with its passengers, was found near the
river.
Explanation: The main subject "car" is singular, and the phrase "along
with its passengers" does not affect the verb agreement.
6. I like reading books they are very relaxing.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: I like reading books; they are very relaxing.
Explanation: Two independent clauses must be separated by a
semicolon, a period, or a conjunction.
7. The teacher gave a lecture, the students listened carefully.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: The teacher gave a lecture, and the students listened
carefully.
Explanation: A conjunction is needed to join two independent clauses.
8. The author’s book is interesting it has won many awards.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: The author’s book is interesting; it has won many awards.
Explanation: Two independent clauses require a semicolon, a period,
or a conjunction to separate them.
9. Neither of the answers were correct.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: Neither of the answers was correct.
Explanation: "Neither" is singular, so it requires a singular verb.
10. Each of the students have submitted their homework.
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: Each of the students has submitted their homework.
Explanation: "Each" is singular, so it requires a singular verb.
2. Sentence Structure
Goal
The goal is to improve sentence flow by focusing on the logical arrangement
of ideas and maintaining clarity through proper grammar and structure. This
involves ensuring parallelism, correctly placing modifiers, and using
transitions effectively to connect ideas.
1. Parallelism
Definition: Items in a list or comparison must have the same
grammatical structure to maintain clarity and consistency.
How to Apply:
o Ensure all verbs in a series are in the same form:
Example: "She enjoys swimming, running, and biking."
(Correct)
Incorrect: "She enjoys swimming, running, and to bike."
o Ensure comparisons are grammatically parallel:
Example: "Learning a language is as rewarding as traveling
abroad." (Correct)
Incorrect: "Learning a language is as rewarding as to travel
abroad."
2. Modifiers
Definition: Modifiers are descriptive words or phrases. They must be
placed close to the word they describe to avoid confusion.
How to Apply:
o Place the modifier near the word it modifies:
Example: "Walking home, she saw a beautiful sunset."
(Correct)
Incorrect: "She saw a beautiful sunset walking home."
o Avoid dangling modifiers:
Example: "After reviewing the documents, the manager
approved the plan." (Correct)
Incorrect: "After reviewing the documents, the plan was
approved."
3. Transitions
Definition: Transition words connect sentences and ideas logically.
They show relationships such as contrast, cause, and effect, or
addition.
Common Transition Types:
o Contrast: However, but, although
o Cause and Effect: Therefore, as a result, consequently
o Addition: Moreover, furthermore, in addition
How to Apply:
o Use transitions appropriately to convey the intended relationship:
Example: "The weather was cold; therefore, we decided to
stay indoors." (Correct)
Incorrect: "The weather was cold; however, we decided to
stay indoors." (Incorrect, unless implying a contrast)
Examples and Explanations
1. Parallelism:
o Incorrect: "The job requires managing schedules, writing reports,
and to attend meetings."
o Corrected: "The job requires managing schedules, writing
reports, and attending meetings."
2. Modifiers:
o Incorrect: "Driving through the storm, the road seemed endless."
o Corrected: "Driving through the storm, she felt the road seemed
endless."
3. Transitions:
o Incorrect: "She studied hard; however, she passed the exam with
flying colors."
o Corrected: "She studied hard; therefore, she passed the exam
with flying colors."
Practice Questions
1. Parallelism
"She likes to cook, bake, and to paint."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "She likes to cook, bake, and paint."
2. Modifiers
"Walking through the park, the flowers looked beautiful."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "Walking through the park, she thought the flowers looked
beautiful."
3. Transitions
"The movie was fantastic; however, everyone loved it."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "The movie was fantastic; therefore, everyone loved it."
4. Parallelism
"To be successful, one must work hard, stay focused, and have persistence."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Correct.
5. Modifiers
"After finishing the exam, relief washed over the students."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Correct.
6. Transitions
"The weather was perfect for a picnic; nevertheless, we decided to go hiking
instead."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Correct.
7. Parallelism
"He is talented in singing, dancing, and to act."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "He is talented in singing, dancing, and acting."
8. Modifiers
"Driving home, the sunset was a beautiful sight."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "Driving home, she admired the beautiful sunset."
9. Transitions
"The team worked hard all season; as a result, they won the championship."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Correct.
10. Parallelism
"She spends her weekends writing poetry, painting landscapes, and to read
novels."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "She spends her weekends writing poetry, painting landscapes,
and reading novels."
3. Editing for Clarity and Style
Goal:
The goal is to ensure that passages are clear, concise, and appropriate for
the intended audience by focusing on coherence, tone, and eliminating
redundancy. This makes the writing more polished and effective.
Key Topics
1. Coherence
Definition: Coherence ensures that ideas in a paragraph or passage
flow logically from one sentence to the next.
How to Apply:
o Use transitions to connect sentences smoothly (e.g., "therefore,"
"as a result").
o Arrange sentences logically so that each idea builds on the
previous one.
Example:
o Original: "The data was analyzed. The experiment was
conducted. The results were published."
o Improved: "The experiment was conducted, the data was
analyzed, and the results were published."
o Logical Flow: The improved version follows the natural sequence
of events.
2. Tone
Definition: Tone reflects the writer’s attitude and should match the
purpose of the passage (formal, persuasive, or informative).
How to Apply:
o Use formal language for academic or professional writing.
o Avoid overly casual expressions in serious contexts.
Examples:
o Formal: "Climate change demands urgent action to prevent
irreversible damage."
o Informal: "We really need to do something about climate
change, like, ASAP!"
o Correction: Use the formal tone when addressing academic or
professional audiences.
4. Eliminating Redundancy
Definition: Avoid repeating ideas unnecessarily or using extra words
that add no value.
How to Apply:
o Remove unnecessary words or phrases.
o Simplify expressions while keeping the meaning intact.
Examples:
o Original: "The students all gathered together in the auditorium."
o Improved: "The students gathered in the auditorium."
o Original: "He made a final conclusion at the end of the
presentation."
o Improved: "He concluded the presentation."
Practice Questions
1. Coherence:
Original: "She submitted her application. She filled out the forms
yesterday. The deadline is next week."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "She filled out the forms yesterday, submitted her
application, and met the deadline a week early."
2. Tone:
Original: "Hey, folks, let's tackle climate change 'cause it's a big deal!"
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "We must address climate change urgently as it poses a
significant threat to our planet."
3. Eliminating Redundancy:
Original: "The teacher explained the instructions in a clear and
understandable manner."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "The teacher explained the instructions clearly."
4. Coherence:
Original: "The patient was discharged. The doctor completed her
rounds. The prescription was filled."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "After the doctor completed her rounds, the patient was
discharged, and the prescription was filled."
5. Tone:
Original: "We are stoked to have won the science competition!"
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "We are thrilled to have won the science competition."
6. Eliminating Redundancy:
Original: "The committee decided to postpone the meeting to a later
date."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "The committee decided to postpone the meeting."
7. Coherence:
Original: "He studied all night. He got an A on the test. He went to bed
at 2 AM."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "He studied all night, went to bed at 2 AM, and earned an
A on the test."
8. Tone:
Original: "The research paper was kinda boring, but I read it anyway."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "The research paper was unengaging, but I read it
thoroughly."
9. Eliminating Redundancy:
Original: "She repeated the same thing over again."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "She repeated the same thing."
10. Coherence:
Original: "He earned a promotion. He worked hard on the project. The
team completed it on time."
Correct or Incorrect?
Answer: Incorrect.
Correction: "He worked hard on the project, the team completed it on
time, and he earned a promotion."
