The SAT Writing section may look simple — short questions, multiple-choice format — but it’s also one of the most predictable and high-scoring parts of the entire test. Every question tests clear, rule-based concepts that repeat across exams. If you know the right grammar patterns, you can answer nearly every question correctly.

The 2025 Digital SAT combines Reading and Writing into a single section, but grammar-based questions still make up roughly half of all points. The good news? These rules don’t change. Once you master them, you can recognize and fix any sentence in seconds.

At RevisionDojo, we teach students to focus on high-yield grammar patterns — the ones that show up again and again. Here’s your complete 2025 guide to conquering SAT Grammar.

Quick Start Checklist

Before diving into the full grammar list, start here:

• Learn the 10 most-tested grammar rules first.
• Read the entire sentence, not just the underlined portion.
• Always check for meaning and clarity.
• Eliminate grammatically correct but illogical answers.
• Use RevisionDojo’s SAT Grammar Cheatsheets for structured rule practice and examples.

Once you know what the SAT tests — and what it doesn’t — grammar becomes a logic puzzle, not a guessing game.

1. Subject–Verb Agreement

This is one of the most common SAT grammar traps. The verb must agree with its subject in number and person.

Example:

• Correct: The students study every morning.
• Incorrect: The students studies every morning.

Pro Tip:
Ignore prepositional phrases when finding the subject.

• “The list of students is long.” (Subject = list, not students.)

2. Pronoun Agreement and Clarity

Pronouns must clearly refer to a specific noun and agree in number.

Common Errors:

• Vague references: “They said it would rain.” (Who is they?)
• Mismatched number: “Each of the players took their bag.” → Should be his or her.

SAT Tip:
When in doubt, replace the pronoun with the noun it represents — if it doesn’t make sense, it’s wrong.

3. Modifier Placement

Modifiers (phrases that describe) must be placed next to what they describe. Misplaced modifiers are a frequent SAT trick.

Incorrect: Running to class, the backpack slipped off my shoulder.
Correct: Running to class, I felt my backpack slip off my shoulder.

Fix: Always check what the descriptive phrase logically modifies.

4. Parallel Structure

Items in a list or comparison must be in the same grammatical form.

Incorrect: She likes reading, to swim, and biking.
Correct: She likes reading, swimming, and biking.

SAT Shortcut: If you see commas separating items, make sure every one follows the same form (verb + -ing, noun, infinitive, etc.).

5. Punctuation Rules

You’ll see punctuation tested in almost every SAT Writing module. Memorize these rules:

• Comma + FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) joins two independent clauses.
  • “I studied, and I slept.”
• Semicolons (;) connect two related independent clauses.
  • “I studied; I was prepared.”
• Colons (:) introduce explanations or lists.
  • “She had one goal: success.”
• Em dashes (—) can replace commas or parentheses for emphasis.
  • “The SAT — a test of logic — rewards structure.”

Avoid comma splices: Never connect two sentences with just a comma.

6. Verb Tense Consistency

Keep verb tenses consistent with the time frame of the sentence.

Incorrect: He walked to class and is eating lunch.
Correct: He walked to class and ate lunch.

SAT Tip: Context clues (like yesterday, now, by that time) reveal which tense the sentence requires.

7. Comparison Errors

Comparisons must be logical and parallel.

Incorrect: The salary at Company A is higher than Company B.
Correct: The salary at Company A is higher than the salary at Company B.

Rule: Always compare like with like.

8. Commonly Confused Words

The SAT loves subtle vocabulary traps. Learn these pairs cold:

Word 1 Word 2 Affect (verb: to influence) Effect (noun: result) Its (possessive) It’s (it is) Than (comparison) Then (sequence) Fewer (countable) Less (uncountable) Who (subject) Whom (object)

Knowing the difference between these common pairs can gain you several easy points.

9. Conciseness and Redundancy

SAT Grammar rewards clarity and precision. The shortest grammatically correct option is often right.

Example:

• Wordy: “The reason why is because the school decided to change the rule.”
• Concise: “The school changed the rule.”

Avoid phrases like in order to, due to the fact that, and because of the reason that.

10. Logical Transitions

Transitions guide the reader through relationships between ideas. Choose based on meaning, not similarity.

Contrast: however, although, despite
Cause/Effect: therefore, as a result, consequently
Addition: moreover, furthermore, in addition

SAT Tip: Read the sentence before and after. The transition must match the logical relationship between them.

Strategy 1: Read the Whole Sentence

Don’t just focus on the underlined section — most grammar errors are revealed by surrounding context. Reading the full sentence (and sometimes the one before it) ensures you catch tense shifts, modifier errors, or missing transitions.

Strategy 2: Eliminate Wrong Choices First

Most grammar questions have two obviously wrong answers. Cross them out immediately. You’ll often narrow four choices down to two in under 10 seconds — giving you time to double-check the final pair for logic and conciseness.

Strategy 3: Trust Meaning Over Sound

The SAT loves sentences that “sound fine” but are logically broken. Grammar correctness depends on structure, not how the sentence feels when read aloud. Always double-check the logic and relationships between words.

Common SAT Grammar Traps

• “Being” → Often unnecessary or wordy.
• Double negatives → “Not hardly” = incorrect.
• Passive voice → Avoid unless context demands it.
• Comma before ‘that’ → Never use one.

Spotting these traps quickly makes each question less confusing.

Pro Tips from RevisionDojo Grammar Experts

• Study patterns, not exceptions. 80% of questions repeat the same 15 grammar rules.
• Group rules by theme (verbs, punctuation, modifiers) to speed up recall.
• Review your mistakes weekly. Error logs reveal habits you can fix fast.
• Simulate the digital format — SAT grammar questions often appear in short, scroll-based modules.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What grammar rules appear most on the SAT?
Subject-verb agreement, punctuation, verb tense, and conciseness questions appear most frequently.

2. Do I need to know advanced grammar terms?
No. The SAT focuses on clarity and function, not academic jargon. Understanding how sentences work is more valuable than memorizing grammar labels.

3. How do I know if two clauses need a comma or semicolon?
If both parts can stand alone as sentences, use a semicolon (or comma + FANBOYS).

4. Are punctuation rules changing for 2025?
No — grammar rules are standardized. The SAT’s testing method remains the same even in the digital format.

5. How can RevisionDojo help me master grammar faster?
RevisionDojo’s SAT Cheatsheets summarize every SAT grammar rule, example, and pattern in one easy visual guide. Perfect for quick review before exam day.

Final Thoughts

SAT Grammar rewards discipline and repetition. Once you master these 10 core rules, you’ll recognize almost every question instantly. The key isn’t memorization alone — it’s practice in context.

Use RevisionDojo’s SAT Cheatsheets to internalize grammar through examples, real test questions, and smart strategies that transform theory into automatic accuracy.

Clarity wins points. Precision earns perfection. Start mastering both today.