GRAMMAR GRIND

SAT PREP – Writing Section

Keep it simple stupid!In general, a sentence is best when it is as concise as possible while still expressing its main idea in a grammatically correct way.

If you can narrow it down to two options you think are good, go with the one that makes the sentence shorter while still making sense.

Comma Use1) When you’re listing three or more things or adjectives.Ex. Mr. Langan is a big sports fan. He loves basketball, baseball, football, hockey, and anything else competitive.Mr. Langan is tall, red haired, pasty and happy.

2) After a conjunction (and, but, for, nor, so, and or).Ex. It’s no guarantee that this class will make you do better on the SAT, but it certainly won’t hurt.

3) When using appositives (phrases that describe the word that came before).Ex. Mr. Langan, a big sports fan, went to twenty professional games last year.

4) When writing phrases that express contrast.Ex. Your strategy, not your intellect, will get you far on the SAT.

That vs. Which Use that with restrictive clauses (parts of a sentence that are needed or the meaning is changed).

Ex. Students, that came to the SAT prep, did much better on the SAT’s.The teddy bear, that Mr. Langan has had since childhood, has sentimental value.

Use which with unrestrictive clauses (parts of a sentence that are buffer and don’t change the meaning).

Ex. Students at ESHS, which is a school in Newark, are very intelligent.Diamonds, which are a girl’s best friend, are expensive.