Punctuation
Descriptive Language
Descriptive Language: extra information added in a sentence, normally for clarity
You may have heard the terms parenthetical information or an appositive.
Descriptive language can be separated with commas, parenthesis, or dashes, but it must be consistent. If a comma is used in the beginning, a comma must be used at the end.
The painting, an eleventh century masterpiece featuring Queen Elizabeth and her sons, was sent to a museum in Italy last week.
Robert, who was raised in a family of athletes, excelled at almost every sport he played.
JK Rowling, an acclaimed author of the popular book series Harry Potter, lived in England and was on welfare until her mid-thirties.
Semicolon
Semicolon: used to join 2 independent clauses without using a conjunction
I like pizza; it is delicious
I like pizza; because it is delicious.
I like pizza, it is delicious.
Colon
Colon: used to introduce a quotation/list of items or separating two clauses of which the second expands or illustrates the first
Arnold believes that there is another explanation for global warming: worldwide habitat destruction.
Comma & Conjunction
Comma & Conjunction: Two sentences (independent clauses) can be joined using a comma and a conjunction.
Allowed conjunctions: FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, & so)
[SENTENCE], [CONJUNCTION] [SENTENCE]
I don’t like pepperoni pizza, but it was the only option.
Transitional phrases cannot be used as conjunctions. The two sentences must either remain two separate sentences or be joined with a semicolon.
[SENTENCE]; [TRANSITIONAL PHRASE], [SENTENCE]
I don’t like pepperoni pizza; however, it was the only option.
Comma Splice
Comma Splice: Two sentences cannot be joined with a comma alone. If there is no option to fix the error with a conjunction or by using a period or semicolon, then you may have to change one of the independent clauses into descriptive language.
SAT Sample:
The dandelions produced great amounts of seeds, some of it traveled hundreds of miles across pastures.
- NO CHANGE
- seeds
- of which
- DELETE the underlined portion
Comma Pause
Comma Pause: A tip to check if a comma belongs or not is to make a really deliberate (long) pause at the comma when reading the sentence to see if it sounds right.
I do not like dogs, that shed everywhere.
I could not make it, to the exhibit on time.
Apostrophe Usage
Apostrophe Usage: apostrophes can be used in contractions to show that letters are missing (“they are” becomes “they’re”) or to show possession.
These days, many student’s practicing instruments can take up to 5 hours a night.
Many students’ instruments are left at school.
Items in a Series
Consistency (Parallel Structure)
…cooking, cleaning, and to organize.
…soccer, football and playing baseball.
Endings
_______________, _______________, and _______________.
_______________, _______________, in addition to _______________.
_______________, _______________, as well as _______________.
_______________, _______________, and _______________, in addition to _______________.
_______________, _______________, and _______________, as well as _______________.
Constructions: must keep the same format
…at once _______________and _______________.
…not only_______________ but also _______________.
…part because of _______________ but mainly because of _______________.
SAT Sample:
The layout of the room was simple: a big, mahogany bed at the north end, a flat screen TV at the south end, and leather upholstery chairs at the east and west ends.
- NO CHANGE
- the east and west ends have leather upholstery chairs.
- leather upholstery chairs next to the east and west ends.
- the final two ends of the room had leather upholstery chairs.
If-then Statements
A comma is used after the if part of the sentence.
If __________________________, then__________________________.
If it keeps raining, then the sewers will get backed up.
The word “then” isn’t necessary.
If __________________________, __________________________.
If it keeps raining, the sewers will get backed up.
If the order is reversed, a comma is not used.
The sewers will get backed up if it keeps raining.
Dangling Modifiers
Dangling Modifiers: the object that is being modified should be near the modifier. In many cases, the object has to come right after the comma. For reviewing for the SAT, it’s important to note that a dangling modifier question comes up about 1-3 times per test.
Having a knack for writing, the book written by George Martin was a huge success.
To memorize the lines, they were recited over and over again.
Pronouns
People Pronouns
I never went back to the doctor which suggested dancing as a cure for my allergies.
The boy that hit the homerun was a hero to his teammates.
Person (I/You/One)
If you want to win the race, you must train diligently.
If a person is hungry, you should eat.
Possessive Nouns and Pronouns
SAT Example:
Because the workers were subjected to very harsh working conditions during our lifetime, injuries were common occurrences for them.
- NO CHANGE
- one’s
- his or her
- their
Noun Agreement
All five varsity debaters went on to become a lawyer after college.
Pronoun Clarity
I or Me? Who or Whom?
Object of preposition, use me:
For me/whom
Above me/whom
Below me/whom
To me/whom
Before me/whom
From me/whom
With me/whom
At me/whom
Etc.
Tip: Eliminate the other people in the sentence to check if “I” or “me” is correct
Sarah and I like playing volleyball.
The volleyball coach was upset with Sarah and me.
Word Choice
Sometimes in English, there are multiple words with similar meanings, but one word is the best to pick because it the one most commonly used is a specific situation.
Roughly one hundred people should be suitable to complete this building project.
A) NO CHANGE
B) sufficient
C) satisfactory
D) good enough
The blaring sirens alerted all in town that a tornado was imminent.
A) NO CHANGE
B) eminent
C) outgoing
D) possible
Relevant Information
Don’t include information that is off-topic from the main point of the passage.
Don’t introduce a new topic.
Extra information can be added if a new topic that was introduced in the previous sentence needs to be expanded on so the reader can understand. However, do not add extra information that doesn’t contribute to the main point.
Combining Sentences
Most of the time, if a question asks you to combine sentences, one of sentence will become descriptive language for the other sentence.
The correct answer will not be to join the sentences with a semicolon or with a comma and a conjunction.
Redundant
I was studying until 11pm at night.
Many warn against history repeating itself again.
The honeymoon period soon wore off quickly.
The reason I’m mad at you is because you didn’t return my phone call.
Verb Tense
Shifts in Verb Tense
SAT Sample:
Some of the smoke from the bonfire drifted over the forest and then dissipated into the air.
- NO CHANGE
- Dissipates
- Will dissipate
- Had dissipated
Had vs. Have Had
Had – passed and over with
Has had/have had – has done it before and can continue or do it again
I had pancakes for breakfast this morning.
I have had pancakes for breakfast.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement: sometimes the verb is far from the subject, so make sure to read the entire sentence carefully
SAT Sample:
The trend, combined with increased funding from the federal government, has led some to claim that we have successfully ended the recession.
A) NO CHANGE
B) have
C) which have
D) which has
Be careful when there is a prepositional phrase such as: [singular subject] of the [plural noun]
One of the three contestants were eliminated in the first round
The summary of the debates, which was ten pages, reveal an obvious winner.
Only one of the students want to become teachers.
"Being" = Wrong
Answer choices with the word “being” in them are wrong almost 100% of the time.
Organization
Look at what pronouns are used and see what they can refer to.
If a sentence starts with “for example”, ask yourself what it’s an example of to find where the sentence belongs.
SAT Sample:
[1] Tardive dyskinesia is a disorder that affects involuntary movements. [2] “How can one contract tardive dyskinesia?” you may ask. [3] It turns out that it is a side effect caused by taking antipsychotic drugs, such as chlorpromazine and fluphenazine. [4] Fortunately, if diagnosed early on, the condition may be reversed by stopping the drug that causes the symptoms. [5] To help cope with these effects, medication to reduce the severity of the movements, such as botulinum toxin injections, can be prescribed.
1) The writer wants to add the following sentence to the paragraph.
However, even if the drug is stopped, some involuntary movements may become permanent or even worsen over time.
The best placement for the sentence is immediately
A) after sentence 1
B) after sentence 2
C) before sentence 4
D) before sentence 5
Transitions/Introductory Phrases
Additionally | Contrasting | Comparing |
additionally also besides first further furthermore in addition in the same way likewise moreover next second similarly too | although at any rate but even so even though however in contrast in spite of that instead nevertheless regardless on the contrary on the other hand otherwise still yet | also by comparison equally in the same manner in the same way likewise next similarly too |
To Give Examples | To Summarize | To Show Relationships in Time |
after all as an illustration for example for instance indeed in fact in particular specifically | accordingly as a result as a consequence briefly consequently for this reason to these ends (to achieve these goals) hence in a word in brief in short in summary therefore thus to conclude to summarize | afterward at last before earlier first in the meantime later on meanwhile next now often once simultaneously subsequently then until now when |
Prepositions
Prepositions are little words that indicate location in time and space. Common examples include “at,” “in,” “through,” “before,” “above,” “without,” along,” “beyond,” “with,” etc.
Data
Make sure to read the titles, axis, and key carefully. The graph may not display the information that you assume it does.
PRACTICE
A study was taken to determine if any correlation existed between a driver’s age and their ability to read signs from far away.
Based on the data above, which of the following statements is most accurate?
A) Drivers between the ages of 45 and 55 will on average be able to see further than drivers between 55 and 65.
B) The younger a driver is, the more difficulty he or she will have seeing signs as they come closer.
C) Drivers between 55 and 85 are able to make out signs at a maximum of 400 feet.
D) There is a small increase in seeing distance between drivers in their late teens and drivers in their early 20s.
