Grammar - SAT Reading & Writing
Card 0 of 53
When should you use past tense?
When should you use past tense?
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For completed actions in the past; when other verbs in passage are past tense.
For completed actions in the past; when other verbs in passage are past tense.
What is subject-verb agreement?
What is subject-verb agreement?
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Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
When should you use the present tense?
When should you use the present tense?
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For current facts, habitual actions, or when discussing literature/art.
For current facts, habitual actions, or when discussing literature/art.
"Tom and Jerry friends." Singular or plural verb?
"Tom and Jerry friends." Singular or plural verb?
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Plural—"are" (Compound subjects with "and" always take plural verbs, even if each subject is singular).
Plural—"are" (Compound subjects with "and" always take plural verbs, even if each subject is singular).
When should you use present perfect (has/have + past participle)?
When should you use present perfect (has/have + past participle)?
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For actions that started in past and continue to present or have present relevance.
For actions that started in past and continue to present or have present relevance.
What's a past participle?
What's a past participle?
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Verb form used with "has/have/had" or in passive voice (e.g., created, written, seen).
Verb form used with "has/have/had" or in passive voice (e.g., created, written, seen).
Can a semicolon connect a dependent clause to an independent clause?
Can a semicolon connect a dependent clause to an independent clause?
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No, semicolons only connect two independent clauses.
No, semicolons only connect two independent clauses.
When describing historical events, what tense is standard?
When describing historical events, what tense is standard?
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Past tense.
Past tense.
How does the conjunction affect verb agreement in compound subjects?
How does the conjunction affect verb agreement in compound subjects?
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"And" = plural verb (both subjects count). "Or"/"nor" = verb matches whichever subject is closer to it.
"And" = plural verb (both subjects count). "Or"/"nor" = verb matches whichever subject is closer to it.
When describing a literary work or art, what tense is standard?
When describing a literary work or art, what tense is standard?
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Present tense (e.g., "The novel explores...").
Present tense (e.g., "The novel explores...").
When do you use a comma between two independent clauses?
When do you use a comma between two independent clauses?
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Only with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Example: "The study failed, so they revised methods."
Only with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Example: "The study failed, so they revised methods."
How do you fix a comma splice?
How do you fix a comma splice?
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Add a conjunction, use a semicolon/period, or make one clause dependent.
Add a conjunction, use a semicolon/period, or make one clause dependent.
Do you use a comma after an introductory phrase?
Do you use a comma after an introductory phrase?
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Yes. Example: "In 1891, the company was founded."
Yes. Example: "In 1891, the company was founded."
"Goats are notoriously indiscriminate: they devour all plants." Correct?
"Goats are notoriously indiscriminate: they devour all plants." Correct?
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Yes. A colon introduces explanation/elaboration after an independent clause.
Yes. A colon introduces explanation/elaboration after an independent clause.
What's wrong with "The artist create"?
What's wrong with "The artist create"?
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Subject-verb disagreement—singular "artist" needs singular "creates."
Subject-verb disagreement—singular "artist" needs singular "creates."
Do you use a comma before "because"?
Do you use a comma before "because"?
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Usually no. Use a comma only to avoid ambiguity or when the “because” clause is clearly nonessential.
Usually no. Use a comma only to avoid ambiguity or when the “because” clause is clearly nonessential.
"Woven from recycled yarn, ." What must come next?
"Woven from recycled yarn, ." What must come next?
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The tapestries (what was woven). The modifier must describe the noun that immediately follows it.
The tapestries (what was woven). The modifier must describe the noun that immediately follows it.
How do you punctuate non-essential information in the middle of a sentence?
How do you punctuate non-essential information in the middle of a sentence?
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Enclose with commas on both sides. Test: remove it—if the sentence still makes sense, it's non-essential and needs commas.
Enclose with commas on both sides. Test: remove it—if the sentence still makes sense, it's non-essential and needs commas.
When should you use a semicolon?
When should you use a semicolon?
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Between two independent clauses that are closely related (can stand alone as sentences).
Between two independent clauses that are closely related (can stand alone as sentences).
When do you use semicolons instead of commas in a list?
When do you use semicolons instead of commas in a list?
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When list items contain internal commas. Example: "She visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Berlin, Germany." (Semicolons separate cities; commas separate city from country)
When list items contain internal commas. Example: "She visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Berlin, Germany." (Semicolons separate cities; commas separate city from country)