Welcome to Form, Structure, and Sense!
Hi there! Welcome to one of the most important chapters in your SAT prep. In the Standard English Conventions section, the "Form, Structure, and Sense" category is all about the "logic" of a sentence. While other sections care about where you put a comma, this section cares about how words fit together to make sense.
Think of a sentence like a Lego set. You can have all the right pieces, but if you snap them together in the wrong way, the structure won't hold up. By the end of these notes, you’ll be a pro at spotting these structural "glitches" and fixing them with confidence!
1. Subject-Verb Agreement: The Matching Game
The most basic rule in English is that the subject (who or what is doing the action) and the verb (the action itself) must match in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
The "S" Rule Trick
This can be confusing because of one weird quirk:
- Nouns usually add an "s" to become plural (One cat, two cats).
- Verbs usually add an "s" to become singular (They run, he runs).
Memory Aid: Only one of them gets the "s"! Usually, if the subject has an "s", the verb shouldn't, and vice versa.
Example: The students (plural) study (plural). The student (singular) studies (singular).
Don't Get Distracted!
The SAT loves to put "filler" words between the subject and the verb to trick you.
Example: The box of expensive chocolates is on the table.
Even though "chocolates" is plural and right next to the verb, the real subject is "box."
Pro-Tip: Cross out phrases starting with "of," "with," or "in" to find the real subject.
Key Takeaway
Always identify the true subject first. Ignore the extra descriptive words in the middle to make sure the subject and verb match.
2. Verb Tense: Keeping Time
Verb tense tells us when something happened. On the SAT, the most important rule is consistency. If a paragraph starts in the past, it should usually stay in the past unless there is a clear reason to change.
Clue Words
Look for "time markers" in the sentence:
- Past: yesterday, previously, in 1920, discovered
- Present: now, currently, typically, claims
- Future: tomorrow, will, soon
Quick Review:
Wrong: She grabbed her coat and runs out the door. (Mixed past and present)
Right: She grabbed her coat and ran out the door. (Consistent past tense)
Key Takeaway
Check the surrounding sentences. If the rest of the passage uses the present tense, your answer choice should probably be in the present tense too.
3. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: The Replacement Rule
A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun (like it, they, he, she). The antecedent is the specific noun the pronoun is replacing. They must match!
Singular vs. Plural Pronouns
- Singular: it, its, he, she, him, her
- Plural: they, them, their
The "Group" Trap:
Words like team, committee, jury, or company represent a group of people, but the word itself is singular.
Example: The committee (singular) finished its (singular) report.
(Don't use "their" for a single company or team!)
Key Takeaway
When you see a pronoun, ask yourself: "Who or what is this referring to?" If that thing is singular, use a singular pronoun.
4. Parallel Structure: The Rhythm of Lists
Parallelism is the idea that items in a list or a comparison should follow the same grammatical pattern. It creates a "rhythm" in writing.
Analogy: The Playlist
Imagine a playlist where every song is upbeat pop, and then suddenly one song is a slow opera piece. It feels jarring, right? Parallelism ensures your sentence "sounds" consistent.
Check the Pattern:
Non-parallel: I like hiking, swimming, and to bike.
Parallel: I like hiking, swimming, and biking. (All "-ing" words)
Did you know? Parallelism also applies to pairs.
- Not only [A] ... but also [B]
- Either [A] ... or [B]
[A] and [B] must be in the same form!
Key Takeaway
If you see a list or a comparison, make sure every part of it matches. If the first two items are nouns, the third one should be a noun too.
5. Modifier Placement: The "Who is Doing What?" Rule
A modifier is a descriptive phrase. The rule is simple: a modifier must be placed right next to the thing it is describing.
The "Dangling" Modifier
This happens when the descriptive phrase at the start of a sentence doesn't logically match the first word after the comma.
Example: Walking to the store, the rain soaked my clothes.
Wait... was the rain walking to the store? No!
The Fix: Walking to the store, I got my clothes soaked by the rain.
Now "Walking to the store" is next to "I," which makes sense.
Step-by-Step Fix:
1. Look at the opening phrase before the comma.
2. Ask: "Who or what is doing this action?"
3. Ensure that the very first word after the comma is the answer to that question.
Key Takeaway
Don't let modifiers "dangle"! The person or thing described must appear immediately after the comma.
Final Checklist for Success
Don't worry if these seem tricky at first! Just remember these three questions when looking at a sentence:
1. Agreement: Do the subject/verb and noun/pronoun match?
2. Consistency: Is the verb tense the same throughout?
3. Logic: Is the list parallel, and are the descriptions next to the right words?
You've got this! Practice these patterns, and you'll start seeing them everywhere.