About this Flash Card Set
14 Cards
by hannah_cole
The grammar and punctuation rules the SAT and ACT test most: commas, subject-verb agreement, pronouns, and more. Boost your Writing/English score.
Front
Subject-verb agreement
Back
The verb must match the subject in number. Singular subject → singular verb (The dog runs; The dogs run).
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Front
Comma splice
Back
Joining two complete sentences with only a comma — an error. Fix with a period, semicolon, or conjunction.
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Front
Its vs. it's
Back
'Its' shows possession (the dog wagged its tail); 'it's' means 'it is' or 'it has.'
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Front
Their / there / they're
Back
'Their' = possession; 'there' = place; 'they're' = 'they are.'
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Front
Who vs. whom
Back
'Who' is a subject (who called?); 'whom' is an object (to whom did you speak?).
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Front
Semicolon use
Back
Joins two closely related complete sentences (I was tired; I kept working) or separates complex list items.
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Colon use
Back
Introduces a list, explanation, or quote after a complete sentence.
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Front
Parallel structure
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Items in a series should share the same grammatical form (running, jumping, and swimming — not 'to swim').
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Front
Dangling modifier
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A descriptive phrase that doesn't clearly attach to the right noun. Keep modifiers next to what they describe.
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Apostrophe for possession
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Singular: add 's (the student's book). Plural ending in s: add just ' (the students' books).
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Front
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
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A pronoun must match the noun it replaces in number (Each student brought his or her book).
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Front
Fewer vs. less
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'Fewer' for countable items (fewer cars); 'less' for uncountable amounts (less water).
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Front
Run-on sentence
Back
Two or more complete sentences joined without proper punctuation or a conjunction.
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Front
Comma before FANBOYS
Back
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) joining two full sentences.
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