1. Ignore prepositional phrases when matching subject and verb
a. CORRECT- The class of students is excellent.
-Here, “class” is the subject. Since class is singular, it requires a singular verb.
-Ignore (of students).
b. INCORRECT- The group of athletes are applying to Ivy League schools
-Group is the subject (singular)
CORRECT- The group of athletes is applying to Ivy League schools.
c. INCORRECT- Research on new techniques provide breakthrough methodologies.
-Research is the subject (singular)
CORRECT- Research on new techniques provides breakthrough methodologies.
2. Parallel Structure
a. INCORRECT- I enjoy listening to Beethoven’s music more than Chopin.
-This sentence contains an error. Beethoven’s music must match to Chopin’s music.
b. CORRECT- My dog, Toby, enjoys swimming, running, and a walk in the park.
3. Separation of 2 full sentences
There are 3 ways to separate 2 full sentences.
i. Semicolon
a. Sam hoped to score an A on the next test; he studied all night with friends.
b. Alvin wants to attend an Ivy League school; however, he is worried that there will be a lot of pressure.
ii. Comma Conjunction (,and– -,but- — ,or)
a. Wendy needs to buy shoes, and Samantha needs to buy socks.
b. Albert studied for days, but he still did not do well on the test.
iii. Period
a. Alex runs. Joe walks.
a. INCORRECT- My sister works as a lawyer and my brother works as a doctor.
-This sentence is a RUN-ON sentence. A sentence, by definition, contains a subject and a verb.
-“My sister works as a lawyer” is a full sentence.
b. INCORRECT- Susan loves writing, but also enjoys mathematics.
-This sentence contains an error. “Also enjoys mathematics” is not a full sentence. Do not use “,but.”
4. Singular/Plural Pronoun Issues
Make sure singular pronouns (his, its, her, my, etc…) match to singular words.
a. INCORRECT-The family of four came into the dining room and took their seats.
-This sentence contains an error. Family is singular and “their” is plural.
CORRECT- The family of four came into the dining room and took seats.
b. INCORRECT- The football player scored a touchdown, and everyone got up from his seat to cheer.
-This sentence contains an error. “everyone” is plural.
CORRECT-The football player scored a touchdown, and everyone got up from their seats to cheer.
c. INCORRECT-Susie and Jane went to the store where she bought an avocado.
-This sentence contains an error. It is not clear who “she” is referring to.
5. Idioms
a. INCORRECT- Paul Krugman is regarded to be a prominent authority on the economy.
-This sentence contains an error. For the SAT, “regarded as” is correct.
b. INCORRECT- This proposal is far away from what the CEO had in mind.
-“Far away from” should only be used for direction. Here, we should say “far from.”
c. INCORRECT- AP Calculus is centered in giving students an understanding of derivatives and integrals.
CORRECT- AP Calculus is centered on giving students an understanding of derivatives and integrals.
Common idioms:
trust-in
mistrust-of
considered-as
protest-against
enthusiastic-for
preoccupation-with
obsession-with
both-and
between-and
either-or
neither-nor
not only-but also
if-then
6. First, Second, and Third Person
– If a sentence establishes first, second, or third person, then do not pick an answer choice that changes this.
7. Past tense verbs
Question: What is the difference between the following:
a. She has danced.
b. She had danced.
c. She danced.
Answer:
a. She has danced-means that she danced previously and is still dancing
-Can be used with other present tense verbs in the same sentence
– e.g. Obama has served as President since 2008.
b. She had danced-long ago past or for a repeated behavior (no longer going on)
– Cannot be used in a sentence with other present tense verbs.
-e.g. Before 1990, Sam had played piano every night
-e.g. After 1980 he had started to walk again.
c. She danced-simple past
8. Verbiage
a. INCORRECT- His greatest contributions were to develop and new software and reaching millions of new users.
CORRECT- His greatest contributions were to develop new software and to reach millions of new users.
b. INCORRECT- Hilary Clinton not only served as First Lady, but also had become Secretary of State.
-This sentence contains an error. “Served” does not match to “had become.”
CORRECT- Hilary Clinton not only served as First Lady, but also became Secretary of State.
9. Nominative-Objective Case Pronouns
a. INCORRECT- There are a lot of inside jokes between my friends and I.
-This sentence is WRONG! “between” is a preposition. Only objective case pronouns (him, me, her, them, us,
whom) follow prepositions.
CORRECT- There are a lot of inside jokes between my friends and me.
b. INCORRECT- To who should I address the letter?
-This question contains an error. “To” is also a preposition
CORRECT- To whom should I address the letter?
whom=him
he=she
10. Descriptive Clauses
a. CORRECT- Allowing the students to work together, the teacher urged the class to remain dedicated.
-Who allowed the students to work together? The teacher…so the next word after “Allowing the students to
work together” has to be “the teacher.”
b. CORRECT- Dreaming of a new car, Andrew showed his great report card to his parents.
c. INCORRECT- Announcing a new plan, the war would take a new direction according to the general.
-This sentence contains an error. The general announced a new plan, not the war.
CORRECT- Announcing a new plan, the general said that the war would take a new direction.
d. CORRECT- Erupting every few weeks, the volcano posed a threat to the tourists.