Grammar Usage

# SAT Writing — Grammar and Usage ## What Grammar Questions Test The SAT's Standard English Conventions (SEC) questions test whether you can identify and correct errors in grammar and sentence structure. These questions appear in the Reading and Writing section of the Digital SAT — 2 modules × 32 minutes = 64 minutes total, 54 questions. The Digital SAT is adaptive: Module 1 contains a broad mix of difficulty levels; Module 2 difficulty is determined by Module 1 performance. Grammar and usage questions (SEC) and rhetorical/craft questions (Expression of Ideas) are both tested within the Reading and Writing section. The four biggest grammar rules tested: ## 1. Subject-Verb Agreement The verb must match the subject in number — singular subject → singular verb; plural subject → plural verb. The trap: a phrase comes between the subject and verb and fools you into matching the wrong word. > Incorrect: The list of requirements are long. > Correct: The list of requirements is long. > (Subject = "list" [singular], not "requirements") > Incorrect: The students in the classroom was quiet. > Correct: The students in the classroom were quiet. > (Subject = "students" [plural]) Trick: Cross out the phrase between the subject and verb. The remaining sentence should still make sense, and you can now clearly see the subject. ## 2. Pronoun Agreement Pronouns must agree in number with the nouns they refer to (their antecedents). > Incorrect: Each student should bring their pencil. *(technically debated, but SAT usually prefers:)* > Correct: Each student should bring his or her pencil. > ("Each" =…