Comprehensive Study Module: Grammar for SAT and ACT English Tests
This module is designed to cover essential grammar topics tested on the SAT and ACT English sections, complete with rules, examples, applications, and usage tips.
Introduction to SAT and ACT Grammar
- The SAT Writing and Language Test and the ACT English Test assess grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and effective writing.
- Key Focus: Identifying errors, improving clarity, and correcting sentences while maintaining standard English conventions.
1. Sentence Structure and Syntax
1.1 Independent and Dependent Clauses
Rules:
- An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.
- A dependent clause requires an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
Examples:
- Independent: She studied hard for the exam.
- Dependent: Although she studied hard (needs continuation).
Applications:
- Combine clauses correctly to avoid fragments and run-ons.
- Use appropriate punctuation (commas or semicolons).
1.2 Subject-Verb Agreement
Rules:
- Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
Examples:
- Correct: The list of items is on the desk.
- Incorrect: The list of items are on the desk.
Applications:
- Pay attention to interrupting phrases (e.g., The dog, as well as the cats, runs fast).
1.3 Parallel Structure
Rules:
- Items in a list or series should follow the same grammatical structure.
Examples:
- Correct: She likes swimming, running, and biking.
- Incorrect: She likes swimming, running, and to bike.
Usage Tip:
- Look for lists and ensure grammatical consistency.
2. Grammar Rules for Punctuation
2.1 Comma Usage
Rules:
- Use commas to separate items in a list, after introductory elements, and to set off non-essential information.
Examples:
- Correct: After the show, we went to dinner.
- Incorrect: After the show we went to dinner.
Applications:
- Avoid unnecessary commas (e.g., Incorrect: The dog, ran fast.).
2.2 Semicolons and Colons
Rules:
- Use a semicolon to link two related independent clauses.
- Use a colon to introduce a list, example, or explanation.
Examples:
- Semicolon: I have a big test tomorrow; I need to study.
- Colon: She packed the essentials: a flashlight, water, and snacks.
Applications:
- Ensure clauses before and after a semicolon are independent.
3. Commonly Tested Grammar Topics
3.1 Verb Tenses and Consistency
Rules:
- Maintain the same tense within a sentence or passage unless a shift in time is required.
Examples:
- Correct: He studies every day because he wants to excel.
- Incorrect: He studies every day because he wanted to excel.
Usage Tip:
- Look for time markers (e.g., yesterday, currently) to ensure the correct tense is used.
3.2 Pronoun Usage and Agreement
Rules:
- A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender.
- Avoid ambiguous pronoun references.
Examples:
- Correct: Everyone brought their notebooks.
- Incorrect: Everyone brought his notebooks.
Applications:
- Ensure clarity in pronoun-antecedent relationships.
3.3 Modifier Placement
Rules:
- Modifiers should be placed next to the word they describe to avoid confusion.
Examples:
- Correct: Running down the street, she saw her friend.
- Incorrect: She saw her friend running down the street.
Applications:
- Identify misplaced or dangling modifiers.
4. Advanced Grammar Topics
4.1 Idiomatic Expressions
Rules:
- Some expressions follow specific prepositional pairings.
Examples:
- Correct: She is good at math.
- Incorrect: She is good in math.
Usage Tip:
- Memorize common idioms for quick identification.
4.2 Active vs. Passive Voice
Rules:
- Active voice is preferred for clarity and directness.
Examples:
- Active: The teacher graded the exams.
- Passive: The exams were graded by the teacher.
Applications:
- Revise sentences in passive voice when active voice improves clarity.
5. Strategies for SAT and ACT Grammar
5.1 Read the Entire Sentence
- Errors are often contextual. Focus on the sentence as a whole rather than isolated parts.
5.2 Eliminate Incorrect Answers
- Narrow down options by eliminating answers with obvious errors.
5.3 Look for Patterns
- SAT and ACT often test the same grammar rules repeatedly. Practice identifying these patterns.
6. Practice Questions with Solutions
Question 1:
Select the correct sentence:
A. Neither of the students are ready.
B. Neither of the students is ready.
Answer: B. Neither of the students is ready.
Explanation: “Neither” is singular and takes a singular verb.
Question 2:
Identify the error: Each of the girls have completed their assignment.
A. Subject-Verb Agreement
B. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
C. No error
Answer: A. Subject-Verb Agreement
Explanation: “Each” is singular and should be followed by “has,” not “have.”
Conclusion
Mastering grammar for SAT and ACT English tests requires understanding rules, identifying common errors, and applying knowledge in context. Regular practice with realistic questions will help build confidence and accuracy.
This study module provides a robust foundation for scoring high in the grammar sections of the SAT and ACT!
20 English Grammar MCQs on “Grammar for SAT and ACT English Tests”
1. Which sentence is correct?
A. Each of the students are responsible for their work.
B. Each of the students is responsible for their work.
C. Each of the students is responsible for his or her work.
D. Each of the students are responsible for his or her work.
Answer: C. Each of the students is responsible for his or her work.
Explanation: “Each” is singular, so “is” is the correct verb, and “his or her” agrees with the singular subject.
2. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
A. My brother who is a doctor, lives in Chicago.
B. My brother, who is a doctor, lives in Chicago.
C. My brother who is a doctor lives, in Chicago.
D. My brother who, is a doctor lives in Chicago.
Answer: B. My brother, who is a doctor, lives in Chicago.
Explanation: Non-essential clauses should be set off with commas.
3. Identify the error in this sentence: The team were excited about their victory.
A. Subject-Verb Agreement
B. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
C. Modifier Placement
D. No error
Answer: A. Subject-Verb Agreement
Explanation: “Team” is a collective noun and takes a singular verb. Correct sentence: The team was excited about their victory.
4. Select the correct sentence.
A. He don’t know the answer.
B. He doesn’t knows the answer.
C. He doesn’t know the answer.
D. He don’t knows the answer.
Answer: C. He doesn’t know the answer.
Explanation: “Doesn’t” is followed by the base form of the verb.
5. Which sentence uses parallel structure?
A. She enjoys reading, to swim, and dancing.
B. She enjoys reading, swimming, and dancing.
C. She enjoys to read, swimming, and dance.
D. She enjoys reading, swimming, and to dance.
Answer: B. She enjoys reading, swimming, and dancing.
Explanation: Items in a list should follow the same grammatical form.
6. Choose the correctly written sentence.
A. I could of helped you if I knew.
B. I could have helped you if I knew.
C. I could of helped you if I had known.
D. I could have helped you if I had known.
Answer: D. I could have helped you if I had known.
Explanation: “Could have” is correct, and the past perfect tense “had known” aligns with the condition.
7. Identify the error in this sentence: Each of the players have a unique skill.
A. Subject-Verb Agreement
B. Pronoun Usage
C. Verb Tense
D. No error
Answer: A. Subject-Verb Agreement
Explanation: “Each” is singular, so the verb should be “has.” Correct sentence: Each of the players has a unique skill.
8. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. The book is long however, it is very interesting.
B. The book is long; however, it is very interesting.
C. The book is long however it is very interesting.
D. The book is long; however it is very interesting.
Answer: B. The book is long; however, it is very interesting.
Explanation: Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.
9. Which word best completes the sentence? The teacher expects everyone to do ______ best.
A. their
B. his or her
C. its
D. there
Answer: B. his or her
Explanation: “Everyone” is singular, so the singular “his or her” is required.
10. Choose the correct sentence.
A. The dog chased it’s tail.
B. The dog chased its tail.
C. The dog chased its’ tail.
D. The dog chased it tail.
Answer: B. The dog chased its tail.
Explanation: “Its” is the possessive form of “it,” while “it’s” means “it is.”
11. Identify the error: Running down the street, the bicycle crashed into a pole.
A. Pronoun Reference
B. Dangling Modifier
C. Subject-Verb Agreement
D. No error
Answer: B. Dangling Modifier
Explanation: The modifier “Running down the street” incorrectly describes the bicycle instead of a person.
12. Select the sentence that uses correct pronoun-antecedent agreement.
A. Neither of the boys brought their lunch.
B. Neither of the boys brought his lunch.
C. Neither of the boys brought their lunches.
D. Neither of the boys brought his lunches.
Answer: B. Neither of the boys brought his lunch.
Explanation: “Neither” is singular and matches with “his.”
13. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
A. I have three goals: to graduate, to find a job and traveling abroad.
B. I have three goals; to graduate, find a job, and traveling abroad.
C. I have three goals: to graduate, to find a job, and to travel abroad.
D. I have three goals, to graduate; to find a job; and to travel abroad.
Answer: C. I have three goals: to graduate, to find a job, and to travel abroad.
Explanation: Maintain parallelism in lists.
14. Which sentence is correct?
A. If I was you, I’d study harder.
B. If I were you, I’d study harder.
C. If I am you, I’d study harder.
D. If I had been you, I’d study harder.
Answer: B. If I were you, I’d study harder.
Explanation: Use “were” for hypothetical situations.
15. Select the correctly written sentence.
A. She asked if she could borrow me a pen.
B. She asked if she could borrow a pen from me.
C. She asked if she can borrow me a pen.
D. She asked could she borrow a pen from me.
Answer: B. She asked if she could borrow a pen from me.
Explanation: The verb “borrow” is used correctly here.
16. Identify the error: The data suggests a different conclusion.
A. Subject-Verb Agreement
B. Word Usage
C. Verb Tense
D. No error
Answer: A. Subject-Verb Agreement
Explanation: “Data” is plural, so the correct verb is “suggest.”
17. Which sentence is correct?
A. Who do you think will win the race?
B. Whom do you think will win the race?
C. Whom do you think will win the race, he or she?
D. Who do you think will win the race, he or she?
Answer: A. Who do you think will win the race?
Explanation: “Who” is used as the subject of the clause.
18. Identify the correctly written sentence.
A. The committee are divided in their opinions.
B. The committee is divided in its opinions.
C. The committee are divided in its opinions.
D. The committee is divided in their opinions.
Answer: B. The committee is divided in its opinions.
Explanation: Collective nouns take singular verbs and pronouns.
19. Choose the sentence with correct modifier placement.
A. She almost drove her kids to school every day.
B. She drove her kids to school almost every day.
C. Almost she drove her kids to school every day.
D. She drove almost her kids to school every day.
Answer: B. She drove her kids to school almost every day.
Explanation: Place modifiers close to the word they modify.
20. Select the correct sentence.
A. He and me went to the store.
B. Him and I went to the store.
C. He and I went to the store.
D. Him and me went to the store.
Answer: C. He and I went to the store.
Explanation: Use subject pronouns (“he” and “I”) as subjects of the sentence.
