The SAT's Standard English Conventions (SEC) questions test whether you can identify and correct errors in grammar and sentence structure. You'll see a sentence with an underlined portion (or a blank to fill in), and you need to choose the grammatically correct version.
The four biggest grammar rules tested:
The verb must match the subject in number — singular subject → singular verb; plural subject → plural verb.
The trap: a phrase comes between the subject and verb and fools you into matching the wrong word.
> Incorrect: The list of requirements are long. > Correct: The list of requirements is long. > (Subject = "list" [singular], not "requirements")
> Incorrect: The students in the classroom was quiet. > Correct: The students in the classroom were quiet. > (Subject = "students" [plural])
Trick: Cross out the phrase between the subject and verb. The remaining sentence should still make sense, and you can now clearly see the subject.
Pronouns must agree in number with the nouns they refer to (their antecedents).
> Incorrect: Each student should bring their pencil. *(technically debated, but SAT usually prefers:)* > Correct: Each student should bring his or her pencil. > ("Each" = singular → singular pronoun)
> Incorrect: The committee made their decision. > Correct: The committee made its decision. > ("Committee" = singular collective noun)
A modifier (describing phrase) must be placed directly next to what it's describing. A misplaced or dangling modifier creates a sentence that says something unintended.
> Dangling modifier: Walking down the street, the trees looked beautiful. > (Who was walking? Not the trees.) > Correct: Walking down the street, I noticed the trees looked beautiful.
> Misplaced modifier: She almost drove her children to school every day. > (She "almost" drove = she usually didn't? Wrong intent.) > Correct: She drove her children to school almost every day.
Items in a list or comparison must be in the same grammatical form.
> Incorrect: She enjoys running, to swim, and painting. > Correct: She enjoys running, swimming, and painting. (all gerunds)
> Incorrect: The job requires creativity, the ability to communicate, and technical skills. > Correct: The job requires creativity, communication, and technical skill. (all nouns)
Real-world example: You're editing a school newspaper article. You find: "The principal, along with the teachers, have decided to extend recess." Subject = "principal" (singular), so it should be "has decided." The phrase "along with the teachers" is a modifier, not part of the compound subject.
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Quiz Questions:
Q1. Choose the correct sentence:
A) The collection of antique vases were displayed in the museum. B) The collection of antique vases was displayed in the museum. C) The collections of antique vase were displayed in the museum. D) The collection of antique vases have been displayed in the museum.
Answer: B — The subject is "collection" (singular), not "vases." Cross out "of antique vases" and you get "The collection was displayed" — clearly correct. Choices A and D use plural verbs with a singular subject.
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Q2. Choose the sentence with correct pronoun agreement:
A) The team celebrated their victory loudly. B) The team celebrated its victory loudly. C) The team celebrated it's victory loudly. D) The teams celebrated its victory loudly.
Answer: B — "Team" is a singular collective noun; it takes the singular pronoun "its." Choice A uses the plural "their." Choice C confuses "its" (possessive) with "it's" (it is). Choice D uses a plural noun with a singular pronoun.
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Q3. Which sentence has a dangling modifier?
A) Excited about the trip, the students packed their bags. B) Having studied all night, Maria felt confident before the exam. C) Running through the park, the leaves crunched underfoot. D) To improve her score, she practiced daily.
Answer: C — In choice C, "running through the park" is a dangling modifier. The leaves weren't running through the park — a person was. The other sentences correctly attach the modifier to the right noun.
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Q4. Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure:
A) The new app allows users to message friends, share photos, and the posting of videos. B) The new app allows users to message friends, to share photos, and to post videos. C) The new app allows users to messaging friends, sharing photos, and posting videos. D) The new app allows users to message friends, shared photos, and posting videos.
Answer: B — All three items are in the infinitive form (to message, to share, to post), creating parallel structure. Choices A and D mix forms. Choice C uses gerunds after "to," which is incorrect.
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Q5. Which sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement with a compound subject?
A) Neither the teacher nor the students was prepared for the fire drill. B) Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared for the fire drill. C) Neither the teacher nor the students is prepared for the fire drill. D) Neither the teacher nor the students has been prepared for the fire drill.
Answer: B — With "neither...nor" constructions, the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb. "Students" (plural) is closest to the verb, so use "were." This is the "proximity rule" for neither/nor and either/or constructions.