If you're prepping for the SAT Writing and Language section, understanding key SAT grammar rules is a must! This part of the SAT Exam isn’t just about spotting errors—it’s about knowing how sentences should be structured and applying the right SAT English grammar rules to improve clarity and flow. Some of the most difficult challenges for students are subject-verb agreement, parallel structure, pronoun use, and misplaced modifiers. And don't forget SAT punctuation rules—when to use commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes can be a big score booster. Learning these SAT writing rules will prevent you from making mistakes and give you more confidence on test day.In this guide, we’ll break down the most important SAT grammar and punctuation rules so you can tackle the exam with precision. Let’s get started! 🚀

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Did You Know Facts About SAT Grammar Rules?

1️⃣ The SAT just got shorter! ⏳ The new Digital SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes long—way less than the old 3-hour paper test. More time to chill after! 😎

2️⃣ Grammar counts big time! ✍️ The SAT Writing & Language section is all about SAT grammar rules like subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and sentence structure—so mastering them can seriously boost your score. 📈

3️⃣ The test adapts to YOU! 🧠 The new adaptive module system adjusts the difficulty level based on how well you do in the first half. Crush the first module, and you’ll get harder (but more rewarding) questions next! 💪

4️⃣ You get more time per question! ⏰ The Digital SAT gives students 43% more time per question than before—so you can slow down, focus, and avoid silly mistakes. No more frantic guessing! 🚀

5️⃣ Punctuation is a game-changer! 🛑 Knowing when to use commas, colons, semicolons, and dashes can make or break your SAT score. Misplacing a comma could cost you points, so brush up on those SAT punctuation rules! 🔥

Want to ace the SAT Writing & Language section? Master these grammar and punctuation rules, and you’ll be all set! 🚀📚

10 SAT Grammar Rules

Mastering the SAT Writing and Language section can feel like a daunting task, but understanding some key grammar rules can make a significant difference. Here are ten SAT grammar rules complete with examples to help you grasp each concept and aim for a good SAT score:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement
   Ensure that your subject and verb match in number. If your subject is singular, your verb should be too; the same goes for plurals.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: The team of players are winning.
   • Correct: The team of players is winning.
     Here, "team" is a collective noun and takes a singular verb.
2. Consistent Verb Tenses
   Keep your verb tenses consistent to maintain clarity about when actions occur.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: She enjoys the movie and laughed at the jokes.
   • Correct: She enjoys the movie and laughs at the jokes.
     Both verbs are in the present tense, ensuring consistency.

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1. Pronoun Clarity and Agreement
   Pronouns should clearly refer to a specific noun and agree in number.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: When the students asked for their grades, they were told it will be posted online.
   • Correct: When the students asked for their grades, they were told they would be posted online.
     "Grades" is plural, so the pronoun "they" is appropriate.
2. Correct Use of Commas
   Use commas to separate items in a list, after introductory elements, or to set off non-essential information.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: My brother who lives in New York is visiting.
   • Correct: My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting.
     The commas indicate that the fact he lives in New York is additional information.

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1. Avoiding Run-On Sentences
   Run-on sentences occur when two independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: I love to write it is my favorite hobby.
   • Correct: I love to write; it is my favorite hobby.
     A semicolon correctly joins the two related independent clauses.

1. Parallel Structure
   Ensure that elements in a series or list are in the same grammatical form.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: She likes hiking, to swim, and biking.
   • Correct: She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.
     All items are now gerunds (verbs ending in -ing).
2. Modifier Placement
   Place descriptive words or phrases close to the word they modify to avoid confusion.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: Running quickly, the finish line was crossed by John.
   • Correct: Running quickly, John crossed the finish line.
     Now, it's clear that John was running quickly.
3. Proper Use of Apostrophes
   Use apostrophes to show possession or to form contractions, not for plurals.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: The dogs bone is buried in the yard.
   • Correct: The dog's bone is buried in the yard.
     The apostrophe indicates that the bone belongs to the dog.

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1. Distinguishing Between Commonly Confused Words
   Words like "their," "there," and "they're" or "your" and "you're" sound similar but have different meanings.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: Your going to love there new house.
   • Correct: You're going to love their new house.
     "You're" is a contraction for "you are," and "their" shows possession.
2. Maintaining Logical Comparisons
   Ensure that comparisons are made between similar items.
   Example:
   • Incorrect: Her cooking is better than her brother.
   • Correct: Her cooking is better than her brother's cooking.
     This clarifies that the comparison is between her cooking and her brother's cooking, not her brother himself.

By keeping these rules in mind and practicing them, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the SAT Writing and Language section with confidence!

5 SAT Punctuation Rules

Here are 5 SAT punctuation rules that will help you score higher in the Writing and Language section, explained in a super casual, easy-to-understand way:

1. Comma After Introductory Phrases

Rule: If your sentence starts with an introductory word or phrase, slap a comma right after it to separate it from the main part of the sentence. Example:

• Incorrect: “After the game we went to eat.”
• Correct: “After the game, we went to eat.”
  The comma helps show that "after the game" is an intro to what happens next. Makes it easier to read!

2. Use Commas to Separate Items in a List

Rule: When you're listing things, use commas to separate them. This rule helps avoid confusion. Example:

• Incorrect: “I bought apples oranges bananas and grapes.”
• Correct: “I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.”
  The commas between the items make it super clear what you're talking about.

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3. No Comma Before “Because”

Rule: Don’t put a comma right before “because,” unless you’re adding a non-essential part to the sentence (like an extra detail). Example:

• Incorrect: “I went to bed early, because I was tired.”
• Correct: “I went to bed early because I was tired.”
  The reason "because" doesn’t need a comma is that it’s connecting the cause and effect directly.

4. Semicolons for Connecting Related Ideas

Rule: Use semicolons (;) to join two independent clauses (complete sentences) that are closely related, but you don’t want to use a conjunction like "and" or "but." Example:

• Incorrect: “I wanted pizza, I couldn’t get it.”
• Correct: “I wanted pizza; I couldn’t get it.”
  The semicolon links the two ideas, and it’s a great way to show a connection without using a conjunction.

5. Colons for Lists and Explanations

Rule: Use a colon (:) when you want to introduce a list, explanation, or example that’s directly related to the sentence before it. Example:

• Incorrect: “I need three things for my project: paper, scissors and glue.”
• Correct: “I need three things for my project: paper, scissors, and glue.”
  The colon shows you’re about to list things, making it super clear and easy to follow.

Pro Tip: When you're taking the SAT, punctuation can make a huge difference in the clarity of your writing. By getting these rules down, you'll avoid common mistakes and sound more professional in your answers!

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Summing Up!

In summary, we can say that to perform well in the SAT Exam, it's important to master these SAT grammar rules along with punctuation rules. Learn the use of subject-verb agreement to ensure consistency in your sentence. Use the correct tense to properly indicate the timing of action. Select transitional words that best express the logical connections between sentences. Distinguish between contractions and possessive pronouns to avoid confusion. Also, place commas correctly with dependent clauses to ensure clear and readable punctuation. Understanding and applying these rules will help you clear the grammar section with greater confidence.