SAT Reading & Writing: Standard English Conventions — Complete Study Guide

Introduction

Standard English Conventions is one of the highest-value SAT domains because it is highly rule-driven. You should expect around 11 to 15 questions from this domain, and these are often the most learnable points on the entire Reading and Writing section.

Unlike some rhetorical questions where two choices may seem plausible, conventions questions are usually objective: one choice follows grammar and punctuation rules, and the others do not. If you know the rules and apply them consistently, your accuracy can become very high.

That is the big opportunity:

• Learn the rule.
• Recognize the pattern.
• Apply quickly.
• Get the point.

The Digital SAT format (short passage per question) makes this even more manageable. You do not need to hold a huge passage in memory. You only need to analyze one sentence or local sentence pair at a time.

A strong conventions process:

1. Identify the tested rule category first.
2. Check clause structure before punctuation.
3. Eliminate choices that violate the rule.
4. If two are grammatically correct, choose the clearer and more concise one.

Strategy tip: Never pick punctuation by sound alone. SAT punctuation must be justified by clause structure.

1. Sentence Boundaries (Run-ons, Fragments, Comma Splices)

Sentence boundary errors are among the most common SAT grammar targets. You must be able to tell whether a sentence part is independent or dependent.

Rules

• A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses. (That is a comma splice.)
• Two independent clauses need one of these joins:
  • period
  • semicolon
  • comma + coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)
  • colon (when second clause explains/elaborates on first)
• A fragment is a dependent clause or phrase standing alone.

How to identify

Use the boundary test:

1. Cover each side of the punctuation mark.
2. Ask: can each side stand alone as a sentence?
3. If YES to both, they are independent clauses and must be joined correctly.
4. If NO to one side, that side is dependent, and comma use may be fine.

This test quickly resolves most punctuation confusion.

Key terms

• Independent clause: has subject + verb + complete thought.
• Dependent clause: has subject + verb but starts with a subordinating word (because, although, when, while, if, etc.) and cannot stand alone.

Examples (required patterns)

Example A: Run-on (wrong)

The lecture ended everyone stayed for questions.

Why wrong: two independent clauses with no proper connector.

Example B: Comma splice (wrong)

The lecture ended, everyone stayed for questions.

Why wrong: comma alone joins two independent clauses.

Example C: Correct semicolon use

The lecture ended; everyone stayed for questions.

Why correct: semicolon properly joins related independent clauses.

Example D: Correct comma + conjunction

The lecture ended, and everyone stayed for questions.

Why correct: comma + FANBOYS joins independent clauses correctly.

Common SAT patterns

• Sentence; however, sentence. (semicolon before transitional word)
• Sentence, and sentence. (comma before FANBOYS)
• Sentence: explanation. (colon before elaboration)

Mini rule for transitions

Words like however, therefore, moreover, and consequently are not conjunctions. You cannot join two independent clauses with a comma + transition only.

Wrong:

The trial was short, however, the report was detailed.

Right:

The trial was short; however, the report was detailed.

or

The trial was short. However, the report was detailed.

Practice Questions (3)

Question 1

The team finished its fieldwork late in the evening, ___ it submitted a preliminary report before midnight.

A) however
B) and
C) therefore
D) meanwhile

Question 2

Although the data set was small, ___

A) the analysts identified a consistent trend.
B) and the analysts identified a consistent trend.
C) the analysts identified a consistent trend, however.
D) because the analysts identified a consistent trend.

Question 3

The editor requested one major revision ___ the conclusion needed clearer evidence.

A) ; because
B) :
C) , and
D) , nevertheless

2. Comma Rules (The Big 5)

Commas are tested heavily because misuse is common. Memorize these five rules and you can eliminate many wrong answers quickly.

Rule 1: Commas after introductory elements

Correct:

After studying for three hours, Maria felt confident.

The introductory phrase ends before the main clause begins.

Rule 2: Commas in a list of three or more

Correct:

She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Use the Oxford comma consistently on SAT.

Rule 3: Commas around nonessential information

Nonessential clause can be removed without changing core identity.

Correct:

My sister, who lives in Boston, is visiting.

Essential clause defines which people you mean; no commas.

Correct:

Students who study regularly score higher.

No commas because who study regularly is essential to meaning.

Rule 4: Commas before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses

Correct:

I studied hard, and I passed the test.

No comma when second part is not independent.

Correct:

I studied hard and passed the test.

Rule 5: No comma between subject and verb or verb and object

Wrong:

The students in the front row, scored well.

Correct:

The students in the front row scored well.

Comma diagnostics

Ask these questions:

1. Is this comma separating independent clauses? If yes, needs conjunction.
2. Is this comma marking extra, removable information?
3. Is this comma incorrectly splitting subject from verb?
4. Is this comma needed for readability in a long introductory element?

Frequent SAT comma traps

• Extra comma before essential clauses.
• Missing comma after long introductory phrase.
• Comma used where semicolon/period is needed.
• Unnecessary comma before short final list item pair.

Practice Questions (4)

Question 1

___ the experiment ended, the researchers began data cleanup.

A) During
B) During the moment
C) During that
D) Duringly

Question 2

The committee reviewed staffing levels, budget projections, ___ maintenance plans.

A) and
B) and,
C) and the
D) also

Question 3

The novelist, who won two national awards, ___ at the conference next month.

A) speak
B) speaks
C) speaking
D) to speak

Question 4

The proposal that includes the revised timeline, ___ ready for board review.

A) is
B) are
C) were
D) be

3. Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes

These marks are often tested together because they connect ideas differently.

Semicolons

Use semicolons to join two related independent clauses.

Pattern:

Independent clause; independent clause.

Also used with transitional adverbs:

Independent clause; however, independent clause.

Colons

Use a colon to introduce list, explanation, or elaboration only if the clause before the colon is independent.

Pattern:

Independent clause: explanation/list.

Wrong:

Such as: apples, oranges, and pears.

Right:

The basket contained three fruits: apples, oranges, and pears.

Dashes

Dashes can:

1. Set off nonessential information (like commas/parentheses but more emphasis).
2. Introduce a dramatic clarification.

If setting off mid-sentence information, dashes come in pairs.

Correct:

The final chapter - though shorter than expected - resolves the central conflict.

Choosing among them

• Need to join two full clauses? Semicolon.
• Need to introduce explanation/list after full clause? Colon.
• Need emphatic interruption or appositive phrase? Dashes.

Practice Questions (3)

Question 1

The simulation produced one clear conclusion ___ the cooling phase required more time than expected.

A) ;
B) :
C) ,
D) - and

Question 2

The museum acquired three new pieces ___ a bronze relief, a landscape study, and a carved oak panel.

A) ;
B) :
C) , and
D) -

Question 3

The policy update - which had been postponed twice ___ released on Monday.

A) - was
B) ; was
C) : was
D) , was

4. Subject-Verb Agreement

Agreement questions look simple but include distractions between subject and verb.

Key rules

1. Subject and verb must agree in number.
2. Ignore prepositional phrases between subject and verb.
3. Compound subjects with and usually take plural verb.
4. Either...or / Neither...nor -> verb agrees with the closer subject.
5. Collective nouns (team, group, committee) are usually singular in SAT usage.
6. In inverted order, find the real subject before choosing verb.

Common SAT traps (must know)

• The list of items IS long. (subject is list)
• Each of the students HAS a book. (each is singular)
• Neither the teacher nor the students WERE ready. (closer subject students is plural)

Agreement workflow

1. Cross out prepositional phrases mentally.
2. Locate true subject.
3. Determine singular/plural.
4. Choose verb form that matches.

Inverted sentence example

On the lab table are the revised samples.

Subject is samples (plural), so are is correct.

Practice Questions (3)

Question 1

The collection of historical maps ___ stored in a temperature-controlled archive.

A) are
B) is
C) were
D) have

Question 2

Each of the proposed revisions ___ reviewed by the editorial board.

A) were
B) are
C) has been
D) have been

Question 3

Neither the analysts nor the director ___ satisfied with the draft report.

A) are
B) were
C) is
D) have been

5. Pronoun Agreement and Clarity

Pronoun questions test both grammar and precision.

Rules

1. Pronouns must agree in number with antecedent.
2. Pronoun reference must be clear (no ambiguity).
3. One pairs with one's in formal SAT context.
4. Each/every/neither/either take singular pronouns.

Clarity check

If a pronoun could refer to more than one noun, revise.

Ambiguous:

When Ava called Maya, she was driving.

Clear:

When Ava called Maya, Ava was driving.

Agreement examples

• Each researcher submitted his or her summary. (formal singular agreement)
• The students presented their projects. (plural agreement)

Practice Questions (2)

Question 1

Each participant must upload ___ final reflection before midnight.

A) their
B) his or her
C) our
D) its

Question 2

When the engineer met the architect, ___ explained the revised foundation plan.

A) they
B) she
C) the engineer
D) it

6. Verb Tense and Form

Tense questions test consistency and correct verb forms, not obscure grammar terminology.

What the SAT tests

1. Tense consistency within a time frame.
2. Correct past participle forms (has gone, not has went).
3. Logical tense shifts when timeline changes.

Core tense logic

• Use past for completed past events.
• Use present for general truths/current relevance.
• Shift tense only when time reference shifts.

Verb form reminders

• has/have + past participle (has written, have seen)
• had + past participle for event completed before another past event

Wrong:

She has wrote the article.

Right:

She has written the article.

Practice Questions (2)

Question 1

By the time the panel began, the lead researcher ___ the full data summary.

A) presents
B) had presented
C) has presenting
D) will present

Question 2

In his 2019 article, Chen argued that coastal fog patterns were changing; recent satellite studies ___ that trend in multiple regions.

A) confirms
B) confirmed
C) have confirmed
D) confirming

7. Modifier Placement

Modifier questions test whether descriptive phrases are placed next to the words they modify.

Rules

• Place modifier directly next to target word.
• Avoid dangling modifiers.

Dangling example (wrong):

Walking to school, the rain started.

Why wrong: the rain is not doing the walking.

Correct:

Walking to school, I got caught in the rain.

SAT pattern to watch

The opening phrase often acts as modifier. The subject immediately after the comma should be the doer of that action.

Wrong:

After reviewing the proposal, the deadline was extended.

Better:

After reviewing the proposal, the committee extended the deadline.

Practice Questions (2)

Question 1

While driving to the interview, ___

A) the traffic delay caused concern.
B) concern was caused by the traffic delay.
C) Maya worried that she might arrive late.
D) the arrival time became uncertain.

Question 2

To improve clarity, ___ before publication.

A) the editors revised the paragraph structure
B) the paragraph structure was revised by the editors
C) revision of paragraph structure occurred
D) the publication happened after revision

Master Strategy: Process of Elimination for Conventions

Use this on every conventions question:

1. Read sentence and identify category (boundary, comma, agreement, pronoun, tense, modifier).
2. Apply the specific rule for that category.
3. Eliminate all choices that violate that rule.
4. If two choices remain grammatically correct, pick the more concise one.

Why concision matters: SAT rewards clarity and economy. Redundant or wordy options are often wrong unless they serve a specific structural function.

Concision examples

Wordy:

Due to the fact that the trial was delayed, ...

Concise:

Because the trial was delayed, ...

Wordy:

At this point in time, the committee is in agreement.

Concise:

The committee now agrees.

Quick Reference Card (All Rules in One Box)

5 Additional Practice Problems

Problem 1 (Sentence boundary)

The pilot phase ended on schedule ___ the engineering team documented several unresolved safety checks.

A) , however,
B) ; however,
C) and however
D) : and

Problem 2 (Commas)

Before the keynote began ___ attendees reviewed the printed agenda.

A) ,
B) ;
C) :
D) no punctuation

Problem 3 (Agreement)

A series of policy memos ___ distributed to all department heads yesterday.

A) were
B) was
C) have been
D) are

Problem 4 (Pronoun clarity)

When Jordan interviewed Casey, ___ said the revised protocol should be approved immediately.

A) they
B) he
C) Casey
D) it

Problem 5 (Modifier + concision)

After analyzing the survey responses, ___

A) the recommendation memo was drafted by the committee.
B) the committee drafted a recommendation memo.
C) drafting of the recommendation memo occurred by the committee.
D) the recommendation memo, which was drafted, was by the committee.

Standard English Conventions is the most rule-based SAT R&W domain. With focused practice, your accuracy can become highly consistent. Keep this sequence: identify rule type, apply rule, eliminate violations, and choose concise clarity.