Below, is a chart containing the important grammar rules for the SAT and ACT.
Rule
Improper Grammar
Proper Grammar
Subject-Verb Agreement
-A group of muggles are going to the movies.
-Either Brian or Stewie were responsible.
-Jake Locker as well as the team are confident.
-A group of muggles is going to the movies.
-Either Brian or Stewie was responsible.
-Jake Locker as well as the team is confident.
Parallelism
-The Orc likes hiking, to swim, and riding her bike.
-I like Harry Potter because of the magic and the vampire romance of Twilight.
-Cat took Nigel dancing and to a show.
-The Orc likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
-I like Harry Potter because of the magic and Twilight because of the vampire romance.
-Cat took Nigel to a dance and a show.
Comparison
-Of the 8 singers, Kelly makes more money.
-Of the two authors, she likes Carl Sagan the best.
-Of the 8 singers, Kelly makes the most money
-Of the two authors, she likes Carl Sagan better.
Noun Agreement
-Kelly and Justin want to be a rock star.
-The wizard promised to provide answers for each question.
-Kelly and Justin want to be rock stars.
-The wizard promised to provide an answer for each question.
Logical Comparison
-Nathan grew more basil than his dad's garden.
-Jim's enthusiasm was greater than any other cat.
-Nathan grew more basil than his dad grew.
-Jim's enthusiasm was greater than that of any other cat.
Pronouns Reference
-Everyone should text their vote.
-Neither of the twins is wearing their propeller beanie.
-Everyone should text his or her vote.
-Neither of the twins is wearing his propeller beanie.
Pronoun Shift
-If one wants an 800, they should practice.
-Draco wants to know where you can go to get cash.
-If one wants an 800, one should practice.
-Draco wants to know where he can go to get cash.
Pronoun Case
-Everyone loves Raymond, except Peter and I.
-It's up to we ogres to inform people that The Green Giant is Shrek, not a big guy picking vegetables.
-Everyone loves Raymond, except Peter and me.
-It's up to us ogres to inform people that The Green Giant is Shrek, not a big guy picking vegetables.
Modification
-Lady Gaga walked her dog wearing a bird's nest.
-Bob found his watch walking to the bathroom.
-Wearing a bird's nest, Lady Gaga walked her dog.
-Walking the bathroom, Bob found his watch.
Verb Tenses
-After the troll bounced off the banister, the kids ate gummy bears.
-After the troll had bounced off the banister, the kids ate gummy bears.
Idiom
-Tweedledum had a different opinion for the crow.
-They depart to England tomorrow.
-Marge accused Homer with lying
-Tweedledum had a different opinion of the crow.
-They depart for England tomorrow.
-Marge accused Homer of lying.
Diction Errors
-The Starfleet is further north than Bespin.
-The cake tastes deliciously.
-The amount of people on Facebook amazed me.
-There is little difference between the members of the class
-Less people speak Thai than English.
-The reason I am late is because I overslept.
-The Starfleet is farther north than Bespin.
-The cake tastes delicious.
-The number of people on Facebook amazed me.
-There is little difference among the members of the class
-Fewer people speak Thai than English.
-The reason I am late is that I overslept.
Comma Splice
-Save the cheerleader, save the world.
-The troll is hungry, I think he is going to pounce.
-Save the cheerleader; save the world.
-The troll is hungry, so I think he is going to pounce.
Passive Voice
-Saved by the bell I never have been.
-Using the card catalog to find a book is foreign to most of the class.
-I have never been saved by the bell.
-Most of the class has not used a card catalog to find a book.
Prepositions are the words that indicate location (in space and time). Ex. The puppy is on the floor. The puppy is in the trashcan. At midnight, the puppy will be beside the phone.
