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. 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'






2. 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.






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






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






5. 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.






6. 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.






7. 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






8. 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...






9. 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.






10. 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?






11. 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






12. 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






13. 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.






14. 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






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






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






18. 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.






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






20. 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