Grammar and Conventions

✏️ Subject-Verb Agreement

Part 1 of 7 — Singular & Plural Subjects, Tricky Cases

The #1 grammar rule tested on the SAT: a verb must agree in number with its subject.

Golden rule: Ignore everything between the subject and the verb — prepositional phrases, appositives, and relative clauses do not change subject-verb agreement.

The box of chocolates is on the table. (Subject = box, not "chocolates")

The students in the classroom have finished the test. (Subject = students, not "classroom")

Tricky Cases

Compound Subjects

• And → usually plural: Tom and Jerry are friends.
• Or / nor → verb matches the closer subject: Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.

Indefinite Pronouns

Everyone has a pencil. ✅ Everyone have a pencil. ❌

Few are willing to volunteer. ✅

Inverted Sentences

When the subject comes after the verb, agreement still applies:

There are many reasons to study. (subject = reasons) Here is the list of candidates. (subject = list)

Subject-Verb Agreement Practice 🔍

Fill in the Correct Verb 🧮

Type the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Neither the coach nor the players _____ (was/were) satisfied with the result.

2. The collection of rare stamps _____ (is/are) worth thousands of dollars.

3. Everyone in the two classes _____ (has/have) completed the assignment.

Identify the Rule 🔍

SAT-Style Editing 📋

Key Takeaways

1. Find the real subject — strip away prepositional phrases and other interrupters.
2. Indefinite pronouns: "everyone," "each," "neither" → singular verbs.
3. Compound subjects with "and" → plural; "or/nor" → match the closer subject.
4. Inverted sentences: "There are" / "Here is" — find the subject after the verb.
5. Tricky nouns: "news," "mathematics," "athletics" → singular; "scissors," "data" (formal) → see context.

Up next: Pronoun Agreement & Clarity →

🔗 Pronoun Agreement & Clarity

Part 2 of 7 — Antecedent Agreement, Ambiguity, Who vs. Whom, Pronoun Case

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent (the noun it refers to) in number and person.

The student finished her project. ✅ (singular antecedent → singular pronoun) The students finished their projects. ✅ (plural antecedent → plural pronoun)

Common SAT trap: A pronoun that does not match a clearly singular or plural noun.

❌ The company raised their prices. ✅ The company raised its prices. ❌ The new laptops each come with its own charger. ✅ …with their own chargers.

Singular "they": The digital SAT accepts "they/their" for a person whose gender is unknown ("Everyone should bring their book"). It will not make that the error, so focus on nouns whose number is unmistakable: companies, committees, objects, and plural groups.

Ambiguous Pronouns

A pronoun is ambiguous when it could refer to more than one antecedent.

❌ When Sarah met Rachel, she smiled. (Who smiled — Sarah or Rachel?)

Fix: Replace the pronoun with the noun.

✅ When Sarah met Rachel, Sarah smiled.

Who vs. Whom

• Who = subject (doing the action): Who is calling?
• Whom = object (receiving the action): To whom did you give the letter?

Quick test: If you can substitute "he/she," use who. If you can substitute "him/her," use whom.

The manager who leads the team… (he leads → who) The manager whom we hired… (we hired him → whom)

Pronoun Case (I vs. Me, We vs. Us)

She is taller than I [am]. ✅ Between you and me, this is wrong. ✅ ("between" takes objects)

Pronoun Agreement & Clarity 🔍

Choose the Correct Pronoun 🧮

Type the correct pronoun for each blank.

1. Each of the laptops came with _____ own charger. (its / their)

2. The award was given to Maria and _____ . (I / me)

3. _____ should we contact about the project? (Who / Whom)

Pronoun Rules 🔍

SAT-Style Editing 📋

Key Takeaways

1. Pronoun-antecedent agreement: Singular antecedents need singular pronouns.
2. Ambiguous pronouns: If a pronoun could refer to more than one noun, replace it with the specific noun.
3. Who vs. whom: Who = subject, whom = object. Test by substituting he/him.
4. Pronoun case: After prepositions and as objects → me, him, her, us, them, whom.
5. Singular "they": Accepted on the digital SAT for a person of unknown gender; the tested errors involve nouns whose number is unmistakable.

Up next: Verb Tense & Mood →

⏰ Verb Tense & Mood

Part 3 of 7 — Consistent Tense, Perfect Tenses, Subjunctive Mood

The SAT tests whether you can maintain consistent verb tense and choose the correct tense based on context.

The Six Main Tenses

SAT Rule: Don't shift tenses unless the meaning requires it.

❌ He walked to the store and buys some bread. (past → present shift) ✅ He walked to the store and bought some bread.

Perfect Tenses in Detail

Present Perfect (has/have + past participle)

Links a past action to the present:

I have lived here for ten years. (started in the past, still true now)

Past Perfect (had + past participle)

Shows one past action happened before another:

By the time the teacher arrived, the students had already left.

SAT loves this one. If two past events are mentioned, the earlier one should be in the past perfect.

Future Perfect (will have + past participle)

Describes what will be completed by a future point:

By next month, she will have completed the course.

The Subjunctive Mood

Used for wishes, demands, suggestions, and hypothetical situations:

❌ If she was here, she would help. ✅ If she were here, she would help.

Verb Tense Practice 🔍

Type the Correct Verb Form 🧮

1. If I _____ (was/were) the president, I would change that law.

2. She _____ (has lived / had lived) in Paris for three years before moving to London.

3. By 2030, scientists _____ (will discover / will have discovered) a cure for the disease, researchers predict.

Tense Identification 🔍

SAT-Style Editing 📋

Key Takeaways

1. Keep tenses consistent unless there's a clear reason to shift (e.g., time markers like "before," "by then").
2. Past perfect ("had + past participle") for the earlier of two past events.
3. Present perfect ("has/have + past participle") connects past to present.
4. Future perfect ("will have + past participle") for actions completed by a future deadline.
5. Subjunctive: Use "were" for hypotheticals; use the base verb after "recommend/suggest/insist that."

Up next: Sentence Structure →

🔨 Sentence Structure

Part 4 of 7 — Fragments, Run-Ons, Comma Splices, Coordination & Subordination

A correct sentence must have:

• A subject
• A predicate (verb)
• A complete thought

Sentence Fragments

A fragment lacks one of those elements.

❌ Because the weather was cold. (dependent clause — no main clause) ✅ Because the weather was cold, we stayed inside.

❌ Running through the park on a sunny day. (no subject or main verb) ✅ She was running through the park on a sunny day.

Run-On Sentences

Two independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or a conjunction.

❌ I love reading I go to the library every week. (fused sentence) ❌ I love reading, I go to the library every week. (comma splice)

Four ways to fix a run-on or comma splice:

1. Period: I love reading. I go to the library every week.
2. Semicolon: I love reading; I go to the library every week.
3. Comma + conjunction: I love reading, so I go to the library every week.
4. Subordination: Because I love reading, I go to the library every week.

Coordination vs. Subordination

Coordination (equal ideas)

Uses FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) with a comma, or a semicolon:

The test was difficult, but most students passed.

Subordination (unequal ideas)

Uses subordinating conjunctions: because, although, since, while, if, when, after, before, unless, until

Although the test was difficult, most students passed.

SAT Tip: The subordinated idea gets less emphasis. Choose subordination when one idea is more important than the other.

Comma Splice vs. Correct Semicolon

SAT Trick: If a sentence has two complete clauses separated only by a comma (no conjunction), it's a comma splice.

Sentence Structure Practice 🔍

Identify the Error Type 🧮

Type "fragment," "run-on," "comma splice," or "correct" for each sentence.

1. She studied hard for the final exam, she felt confident on test day.

2. Although he had never traveled abroad before.

3. The sun set behind the mountains, and the sky turned a deep shade of orange.

Fix the Sentence 🔍

SAT-Style Editing 📋

Key Takeaways

1. Fragments lack a subject, verb, or complete thought — watch for dependent clauses standing alone.
2. Run-ons fuse two independent clauses with no punctuation.
3. Comma splices use only a comma between independent clauses — add a conjunction or use a semicolon.
4. Coordination (FANBOYS) joins equal ideas; subordination makes one idea dependent.
5. Period, semicolon, comma + conjunction, or subordination — four ways to fix run-ons.

Up next: Modifier Placement →

🎯 Modifier Placement

Part 5 of 7 — Dangling Modifiers, Misplaced Modifiers, Squinting Modifiers

A modifier is a word or phrase that describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about another word. On the SAT, modifier errors are among the most frequently tested grammar concepts.

Golden Rule: A modifier must be placed next to the word it modifies.

Misplaced Modifiers

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

❌ She almost drove her kids to school every day. (This says she almost drove but didn't actually drive)

✅ She drove her kids to school almost every day. (She drove most days — "almost" modifies "every day")

❌ The professor only teaches on Tuesdays. (The only thing the professor does is teach? Probably not.)

✅ The professor teaches only on Tuesdays. ("Only" modifies "on Tuesdays")

Dangling Modifiers

A modifier dangles when the word it's supposed to modify is missing from the sentence or is not the subject right after the modifier.

❌ Walking to school, the rain started to fall. (The rain isn't walking to school!)

✅ Walking to school, I noticed the rain starting to fall. (Now "I" is doing the walking)

SAT Pattern: An introductory participial phrase (…ing / …ed / …en) MUST be followed by the noun it modifies.

❌ Exhausted from the hike, the tent looked inviting. (The tent wasn't exhausted)

✅ Exhausted from the hike, the hikers found the tent inviting.

Squinting Modifiers

A squinting modifier is ambiguously placed between two things it could modify:

❌ Students who study frequently earn good grades. (Do they study frequently, or frequently earn good grades?)

✅ Students who frequently study earn good grades. (clear) ✅ Students who study earn good grades frequently. (also clear)

Fix: Move the modifier so it clearly modifies only one element.

Modifier Practice 🔍

Identify the Modifier Error 🧮

Type "dangling," "misplaced," "squinting," or "correct" for each sentence.

1. Covered in chocolate, the strawberries disappeared within minutes.

2. She only ate vegetables for dinner last night.

3. Driving to work, the accident blocked the highway.

Modifier Rules 🔍

SAT-Style Editing 📋

Key Takeaways

1. Misplaced modifiers are too far from what they describe — move them closer.
2. Dangling modifiers lack a logical subject — add the correct subject right after the modifier.
3. Squinting modifiers sit ambiguously between two words — reposition for clarity.
4. SAT pattern: Introductory participial phrases (-ing, -ed) must be immediately followed by the noun they modify.
5. Watch for "only," "almost," "nearly," "just" — these adverbs are commonly misplaced.

Up next: Parallel Structure & Comparisons →

⚖️ Parallel Structure & Comparisons

Part 6 of 7 — Parallel Lists, Correlative Conjunctions, Faulty Comparisons

Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for items in a list, pair, or series.

❌ She likes hiking, swimming, and to ride bikes. ✅ She likes hiking, swimming, and riding bikes.

❌ The job requires creativity, dedication, and being organized. ✅ The job requires creativity, dedication, and organization.

Rule: All items in a series must be in the same form — all nouns, all gerunds, all infinitives, etc.

Parallel Structure in Pairs

When two elements are joined by and, but, or or, they must match:

❌ The CEO was known for her vision and being decisive. ✅ The CEO was known for her vision and her decisiveness.

Correlative Conjunctions

These always come in pairs and demand parallel structure:

Key rule: What follows each part of the pair must be grammatically identical.

❌ She not only sings but also is a talented dancer. ✅ She is not only a talented singer but also a talented dancer. (noun phrase + noun phrase)

Faulty Comparisons

Comparisons must compare like things.

❌ The climate of Florida is warmer than New York. (comparing climate to a state) ✅ The climate of Florida is warmer than that of New York. (climate to climate)

❌ My essay is longer than Sarah. (essay vs. a person) ✅ My essay is longer than Sarah's. (essay vs. Sarah's essay)

SAT keywords: "that of," "those of," possessive forms. These fix faulty comparisons.

Parallel Structure Practice 🔍

Fix the Parallel Structure 🧮

Rewrite ONLY the underlined/incorrect element to make each sentence parallel.

1. The coach emphasized speed, agility, and being strong. → Type the corrected third item.

2. She would rather read a book than watching television. → Type the corrected second activity.

3. His paintings are more abstract than his brother. → Type the corrected comparison.

Parallelism & Comparison Rules 🔍

SAT-Style Editing 📋

Key Takeaways

1. Parallel structure: Items in a list or pair must share the same grammatical form.
2. Correlative conjunctions (both…and, either…or, not only…but also) require parallel elements after each part.
3. Faulty comparisons: Compare like to like — use "that of," "those of," or possessives.
4. SAT tip: Read the first item in a list to set the pattern, then check that all remaining items match.
5. Common trap: Mixing nouns, gerunds, infinitives, and clauses in a single list.

Up next: Review & Mixed Practice →

🏆 Review & Mixed Practice

Part 7 of 7 — Cheat Sheet, Mixed SAT-Style Questions, Test Strategies

You've covered all the major grammar conventions tested on the SAT:

Strategy: The Error-Spotting Checklist When a Standard English Conventions question gives you a blank and four versions to choose from, run through these checks:

1. ✅ Does the verb agree with its subject?
2. ✅ Are pronouns clear and correctly matched?
3. ✅ Is the tense consistent and logical?
4. ✅ Is the sentence complete (no fragments, run-ons)?
5. ✅ Are modifiers placed correctly?
6. ✅ Is the structure parallel?

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Subject-Verb Agreement

• Ignore prepositional phrases between subject and verb
• Indefinite pronouns (everyone, each, neither) → singular
• "A number of" → plural; "The number of" → singular
• "News," "mathematics," "physics" → singular

Pronouns

• Who = subject; Whom = object
• After prepositions → object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them)
• Avoid ambiguous pronoun references

Verb Tense

• Past perfect (had + past participle) = earlier past event
• Subjunctive: were for hypotheticals; base verb after "recommend/suggest that"
• Don't shift tenses without reason

Sentence Structure

• Comma + FANBOYS or semicolon to join independent clauses
• A comma alone between two independent clauses = comma splice (ERROR)
• Dependent clause alone = fragment (ERROR)

Modifiers

• Introductory phrase → must be followed by the noun it modifies
• "Only," "almost," "nearly" → place directly before the word they modify

Parallelism

• All items in a list must be in the same grammatical form
• Compare like to like: use "that of" / "those of" / possessives

Mixed Practice — Set 1 🔍

Name That Error 🧮

Identify the grammar error type in each sentence. Type one of: "subject-verb agreement," "pronoun error," "tense shift," "fragment," "comma splice," "dangling modifier," "parallelism error," or "faulty comparison."

1. The mayor, along with several council members, were present at the ceremony.

2. Running late for the interview, the bus was missed.

3. She enjoys painting, reading, and to cook new recipes.

Strategy & Rules 🔍

Mixed Practice — Set 2 📋

Test-Day Tips

1. Read the full sentence before looking at the answer choices — understand the intended meaning first.
2. Use the checklist: subject-verb agreement → pronouns → tense → structure → modifiers → parallelism.
3. Don't over-correct — the simplest grammatical choice is often right; a more elaborate version is not better just because it looks formal.
4. Shorter is often better: The SAT tends to prefer concise, clear phrasing over wordy alternatives.
5. Trust your ear, but verify with rules. If it sounds wrong, find the specific grammar rule that's violated.
6. Eliminate clearly wrong answers first, then compare the remaining choices carefully.

Most Common SAT Grammar Errors (in order of frequency):

1. Subject-verb agreement (especially with intervening phrases)
2. Pronoun errors (ambiguity, agreement)
3. Verb tense shifts
4. Sentence boundaries (fragments & run-ons)
5. Modifier placement (especially dangling)
6. Parallelism in lists and comparisons

You've completed the SAT Grammar & Conventions course! 🎉