Conventions Practice
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Standard English Conventions questions test your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. These questions make up approximately 26% of the SAT Reading and Writing section and appear throughout the ACT English section. Mastering these rules will help you write more clearly and score higher on standardized tests.
What Are Standard English Conventions?
The rules of Standard Written English that govern sentence structure, punctuation, usage, and grammar. Unlike conversational English, written conventions follow stricter rules that ensure clarity and precision.
Key Convention Categories
1. Sentence Boundaries
Every sentence must have a subject and a verb and express a complete thought.
Common Errors
- Run-on Sentence: Two independent clauses joined without proper punctuation
- Comma Splice: Two independent clauses joined only by a comma
- Fragment: An incomplete sentence missing a subject, verb, or complete thought
Ways to fix run-ons and comma splices:
- Add a period and start a new sentence
- Add a semicolon (;) between independent clauses
- Add a comma + coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so - FANBOYS)
- Make one clause dependent by adding a subordinating conjunction
2. Punctuation
Commas (,) are used for:
- Separating items in a list (apples, oranges, and bananas)
- After introductory elements (However, the study found...)
- Setting off non-essential information (The book, which was published in 2020, became a bestseller)
- Before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses
Semicolons (;) are used for:
- Joining two closely related independent clauses
- Separating items in a list when items contain commas
Colons (:) are used for:
- Introducing a list, explanation, or elaboration after an independent clause
- The clause before the colon must be complete
Apostrophes (') are used for:
- Contractions (don't, it's, can't)
- Possession (the student's book, the students' books)
- NOT for plurals (The 1990s, NOT The 1990's)
3. Subject-Verb Agreement
Subjects and verbs must agree in number (singular or plural).
Tricky Cases
- Prepositional phrases: Ignore words between subject and verb (The box of chocolates is on the table)
- Compound subjects: Two subjects joined by "and" are usually plural; with "or/nor," match the verb to the closer subject
- Indefinite pronouns: Each, everyone, everybody, anyone, nobody = singular; both, few, many = plural
- Collective nouns: Usually singular when acting as a unit (The team is winning)
4. Pronoun Agreement and Reference
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and gender, and the reference must be clear.
- Agreement: Each student must bring his or her (not their) book - unless using singular "they" for gender-neutral reference
- Clear Reference: Avoid ambiguous pronouns (When John met Tom, he was nervous - who was nervous?)
- Pronoun Case: Use subject pronouns (I, he, she, they) for subjects; object pronouns (me, him, her, them) for objects
5. Modifier Placement
Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to what they modify.
- Dangling modifier: Walking to school, the rain started. (Who was walking? Not the rain!)
- Correct: Walking to school, I noticed the rain starting.
- Misplaced modifier: She served sandwiches to the guests on paper plates. (Guests on paper plates?)
- Correct: She served sandwiches on paper plates to the guests.
6. Parallel Structure
Items in a list or comparison should follow the same grammatical pattern.
- Incorrect: The coach emphasized speed, agility, and being strong
- Correct: The coach emphasized speed, agility, and strength
- Incorrect: I like to swim and hiking
- Correct: I like to swim and to hike OR I like swimming and hiking
7. Verb Tense Consistency
Verb tenses should remain consistent unless there's a clear reason to shift.
- Incorrect: She walked into the room and sees her friend
- Correct: She walked into the room and saw her friend
Test-Taking Strategy
When you see an underlined portion, identify what grammar rule is being tested. Then eliminate answer choices that violate that rule. Often, the shortest answer that is grammatically correct is right.
Examples
Work through these SAT/ACT-style examples to practice identifying and fixing convention errors.
Example 1: Comma Splice
Original: The research team collected data for three years, they published their findings last month.
Solution: B) years, and they published
Analysis:
- The original has a comma splice - two independent clauses joined only by a comma
- A) keeps the error
- B) adds "and" making it comma + coordinating conjunction = correct
- C) creates a run-on (no punctuation between clauses)
- D) "however" is not a coordinating conjunction, so the comma before it creates another comma splice
Example 2: Subject-Verb Agreement
Original: The collection of rare books are kept in a climate-controlled room.
Solution: C) is
Analysis:
- The subject is "collection" (singular), not "books"
- "Of rare books" is a prepositional phrase - ignore it for agreement
- A singular subject needs a singular verb: "is"
- A) "are" is plural - incorrect
- B) "were" is plural - incorrect
- D) "have been" is plural - incorrect
Example 3: Pronoun Reference
Original: When the committee met with the board members, they expressed concern about the budget.
Solution: B) the committee
Analysis:
- "They" is ambiguous - it could refer to either "committee" or "board members"
- When pronoun reference is unclear, replace the pronoun with a specific noun
- Context (if provided) would determine whether B or C is correct
- D) "it" doesn't work because it's unclear and potentially grammatically odd
Example 4: Dangling Modifier
Original: Having studied for weeks, the exam seemed easy.
Solution: B) Having studied for weeks, I found the exam easy.
Analysis:
- "Having studied for weeks" is a participial phrase that must modify the subject immediately following it
- A) says the exam studied for weeks - illogical
- B) "I" studied for weeks - logical and correct
- C) still has the exam as the implied subject of studying
- D) moving the phrase doesn't fix the dangling modifier
Example 5: Parallel Structure
Original: The job requires attention to detail, working independently, and you must communicate well.
Solution: B) attention to detail, independent work, and good communication
Analysis:
- Items in a list must have the same grammatical structure
- A) mixes noun phrase, gerund phrase, and clause - not parallel
- B) three noun phrases - parallel and correct
- C) mixes infinitives with gerund - not parallel
- D) mixes nouns with verb - not parallel
Practice Problems
Apply your knowledge of Standard English Conventions to these SAT/ACT-style questions.
1. The musicians, along with their conductor, is preparing for tonight's performance.
Show Answer
B) are - The subject is "musicians" (plural). The phrase "along with their conductor" does not change the subject. Plural subjects need plural verbs.
2. Neither the students nor the teacher were aware of the schedule change.
Show Answer
B) was - With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the closer subject ("teacher" = singular). A singular subject needs a singular verb.
3. The company announced their plan to expand into new markets next year.
Show Answer
C) its - "Company" is singular and needs a singular possessive pronoun. "Its" (no apostrophe) is the possessive form; "it's" means "it is."
4. The documentary explored how climate change affects wildlife; and the ways communities adapt.
Show Answer
D) wildlife and - "How climate change affects wildlife" and "the ways communities adapt" are both objects of "explored," not independent clauses. They should be joined simply with "and."
5. Running late for the meeting, the elevator seemed to take forever.
Show Answer
B) Running late for the meeting, I felt the elevator took forever. - The participial phrase "Running late" must modify a person, not the elevator. Adding "I" as the subject fixes the dangling modifier.
6. The professor asked us to read the article, summarize it's main points, and to write a response.
Show Answer
B) summarize its main points, and write a response. - Three infinitives: "to read," "[to] summarize," "[to] write" - parallel structure. Also, "its" (possessive) not "it's" (it is).
7. Each of the volunteers have contributed over 100 hours to the project.
Show Answer
B) has - "Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun. Ignore "of the volunteers" - the subject is "each," which needs a singular verb.
8. The new policy will affect whoever submits their application after the deadline.
Show Answer
A) NO CHANGE - "Whoever" is correct because it's the subject of "submits." Use "whoever" for subjects, "whomever" for objects. The verb "submits" is singular to agree with "whoever."
9. The research shows that students who sleep eight hours perform better on tests; they also report lower stress levels.
Show Answer
A) NO CHANGE - "Research" is singular (needs "shows"), and the semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses. "They" clearly refers to "students."
10. The novel, which was written in the 1920s continue to resonate with modern readers.
Show Answer
B) continues - The subject is "novel" (singular). The clause "which was written in the 1920s" is non-essential information - ignore it for subject-verb agreement.
Check Your Understanding
Review these key concepts before moving on.
1. What is the primary difference between a comma splice and a run-on sentence?
Show Answer
B) A comma splice uses a comma incorrectly; a run-on has no punctuation between clauses - A comma splice joins independent clauses with only a comma, while a run-on joins them with no punctuation at all.
2. Which strategy should you use when checking subject-verb agreement in a complex sentence?
Show Answer
B) Identify the true subject by ignoring prepositional phrases and other interrupting elements - Phrases between the subject and verb don't change the subject. Find the actual subject and match the verb to it.
3. How do you fix a dangling modifier?
Show Answer
C) Make sure the word the modifier describes appears immediately after the modifier - The subject of the main clause must be what the modifier is describing. Restructure the sentence so the correct subject follows the modifier.
4. When should you use a semicolon?
Show Answer
B) To join two independent clauses that are closely related - Semicolons connect complete sentences that are thematically linked. They can also separate items in a list when items contain commas.
Key Conventions Rules
- Fix comma splices with period, semicolon, or comma + FANBOYS
- Match verbs to subjects, ignoring interrupting phrases
- Place modifiers next to what they modify
- Keep items in a list grammatically parallel
- Use "its" for possession, "it's" for "it is"
- Make pronouns agree with antecedents and be clear in reference
Next Steps
- Practice identifying one error type at a time until it becomes automatic
- Read your own writing aloud to catch awkward constructions
- Keep an error log of mistakes you make repeatedly
- Continue to Data Analysis Practice to work on interpreting graphs and charts