Test your basic knowledge |

SAT Grammar Rules

Subjects : sat, english, grammar
Instructions:
  • Answer 20 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Common structure: 'A' or 'The' followed by a noun. These take singular verbs and pronouns. ex. The team is winning its game - other common collective nouns - group - company - family - management






2. Describe things - modify nouns or pronouns - ex. purple - kind - tall






3. Expressions which take on a meaning of their own; usually involve verb + preposition - ex: preoccupation with






4. Plural subjects must have plural verbs. Singular subjects must have singular verbs - example of incorrect usage:The quarterback - along with the the other players - are out celebrating.






5. If the subject is plural - the object should be plural. If the subject is singular - the object should be singular - examples of incorrect usage: The children wanted to become an artist. The teachers paid for supplies out of their own pocket.






6. Similar sounding or similar looking words which are used incorrectly - ex. constrict vs. restrict - regenerated vs. regressed






7. A series of items is written in the same logical structure. A list of actions or items might trigger a problem with structure - example of incorrect usage: I like running - hiking - and to swim






8. A unncecssarily repetitive and usually contains a ridiculous repetition such as 'free gifts' or 'new innovation' - a pharse can usually be replaced with a more concise alternative - for example 'a few ' instead of 'a small number of'






9. Keep the chosen pronoun the same throughout the message example of incorrect usage: We have to follow the rules whether one wants to or not or Can we empty the lint traps when you are done?






10. Common structure: 'A' or 'The' followed by an adjective. These take plural verbs and pronouns. ex.The elderly are enjoying the Silver Lake Cruise. other common collective adjectives - rich - poor - long-suffering






11. Ignoring prepositional phrases can help with determining subject-verb agreement ex. The coffee - as well as milk and pastries - is on its way over to you. - The coffee is...






12. Modifty verbs - adjectives - or other adverbs usually end in --ly - ex. examine calmly






13. Always make sure you are comparing two indentical objects - people - or ideas - examples of incorrect usage: Mario's speeches were on a par with John F Kennedy. Anna's food is better than Amy. Lauren's dog won more prizes in the dog show than Oliver.


14. A word that shows time - space or logical relationships between words. ex. above - across - after - against - among - around - at - before - beside - between - of






15. A preposition followed by a phrase (group of words) ex. a bunch of roses - it's beween you and me - around every corner






16. Used to compare two things typically formed by adding -er or more + adj. or more + adv. - ex. Of the two sauces - I liked the first one better.






17. Avoid pharses which use two negatives words instead of one typical incorrect phrases: can't scarcely/ scarcely no - can't hardly/ hardly no - can't barely/ barely no






18. Make sure the correct modifier is placed directly next to the pharse it modifies - examples of incorrect usage: Raised in a field without any pesicides - I prefer organic fruit. Or Orbiting between Mars and Jupiter - researchers found a new group of






19. Nouns and pronouns must agree: plural nouns must have plural pronouns and singular nouns must have singular pronouns - example of incorrect usage: Someone was riding their bike down the road.






20. Used to compare more than two things typically formed by -est or most + adj. or most +adv. - ex. My cat is the cutest cat of all.