Grammar Grab Bag
A group of words that looks like a sentence but lacks a complete thought or subject-verb pair is called this.
What is a fragment?
This punctuation mark can join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.
What is a semicolon?
This concise connector replaces "due to the fact that."
What is 'because'?
This is the central argument or claim an author makes in a passage.
What is the main idea or thesis?
In the SAT, this word means "new or original," not "a book."
What is 'novel'?
When two independent clauses are joined without a conjunction or proper punctuation, this error occurs.
What is a comma splice?
This type of punctuation should surround nonessential clauses but not essential ones.
What are commas?
In SAT writing, this is the preferred tone - clear, precise, and free of unnecessary flourish.
What is objective or formal academic tone?
In a paired passage question, this is the most important relationship to identify between the two texts.
What is how the authors' viewpoints compare or contrast?
Someone described as "pragmatic" approaches problems in this way.
What is practical or realistic?
Choose the correct word: “The team was eager to (affect/effect) change.”
What is effect?
This punctuation mark shows a stronger pause than a comma but a weaker break than a period.
What is a semicolon?
This transition word best signals a contrast: "The data were promising; _____, the trial failed."
What is "however"?
When a question asks "which choice best supports the previous answer," it's testing this specific reading skill.
What is evidence-based reasoning?
If a writer's tone is "pedantic," it means they are doing this.
What is being overly concerned with minor details or showing off knowledge?
This tense is used to describe an action that began in the past and continues into the present, as in “She has lived here for ten years.”
What is the present perfect tense?
This mark often introduces a list, explanation, or restatement.
What is a colon?
This type of redundancy occurs when two words convey the same idea, such as "free gift."
What is tautology or redundancy?
A passage that includes words like "might," "suggests," or "possibly" likely has this tone.
What is a cautious or qualified tone?
A "disparity" between two things indicates this relationship.
What is an inequality or difference?
When a sentence’s structure places the emphasis on the receiver of the action rather than the doer, it’s written in this voice.
What is the passive voice?
In the SAT's Writing section, this punctuation mark is often used to show an abrupt shift or an aside.
What is a dash?
This rhetorical concept describes when sentence structure mirrors meaning - for example, "The waves crashed, the wind roared, the storm raged."
What is syntax reinforcing tone or imagery (parallelism for effect)?
If a passage presents an argument and immediately refutes a counterclaim, it's using this rhetorical structure.
What is concession and rebuttal?
A passage described as "equivocal" demonstrates this rhetorical quality.
What is ambiguity or intentional uncertainty?