SAT Grammar rules
Parallelism—ANSWER--a series of items is written in the same logical
structure.
a list of actions or items might trigger a problem with structure.
example of incorrect usage:
I like running, hiking, and to swim
Adjectives—ANSWER--describe things, modify nouns or pronouns
ex. purple, kind, tall
Adverbs—ANSWER--modifty verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs usually
end in --ly
ex. examine calmly
Comparative Form—ANSWER--used to compare two things typically
formed by adding -er or more + adj. or more + adv.
ex. Of the two sauces, I liked the first one better.
, Superlative Form—ANSWER--used to compare more than two things
typically formed by -est or most + adj. or most +adv.
ex. My cat is the cutest cat of all.
Redundancy/Wordliness—ANSWER--a unncecssarily repetitive and usually
contains a ridiculous repetition such as "free gifts" or "new innovation"
a pharse can usually be replaced with a more concise alternative, for
example "a few " instead of "a small number of"
Word choice—ANSWER--similar sounding or similar looking words which
are used incorrectly
ex. constrict vs. restrict
regenerated vs. regressed
Idioms—ANSWER--expressions which take on a meaning of their own;
usually involve verb + preposition
ex: preoccupation with
Double Negatives—ANSWER--avoid pharses which use two negatives
words instead of one
typical incorrect phrases:
can't scarcely/ scarcely no
© 2026 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. This document is
protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Brittie Donald
Parallelism—ANSWER--a series of items is written in the same logical
structure.
a list of actions or items might trigger a problem with structure.
example of incorrect usage:
I like running, hiking, and to swim
Adjectives—ANSWER--describe things, modify nouns or pronouns
ex. purple, kind, tall
Adverbs—ANSWER--modifty verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs usually
end in --ly
ex. examine calmly
Comparative Form—ANSWER--used to compare two things typically
formed by adding -er or more + adj. or more + adv.
ex. Of the two sauces, I liked the first one better.
, Superlative Form—ANSWER--used to compare more than two things
typically formed by -est or most + adj. or most +adv.
ex. My cat is the cutest cat of all.
Redundancy/Wordliness—ANSWER--a unncecssarily repetitive and usually
contains a ridiculous repetition such as "free gifts" or "new innovation"
a pharse can usually be replaced with a more concise alternative, for
example "a few " instead of "a small number of"
Word choice—ANSWER--similar sounding or similar looking words which
are used incorrectly
ex. constrict vs. restrict
regenerated vs. regressed
Idioms—ANSWER--expressions which take on a meaning of their own;
usually involve verb + preposition
ex: preoccupation with
Double Negatives—ANSWER--avoid pharses which use two negatives
words instead of one
typical incorrect phrases:
can't scarcely/ scarcely no
© 2026 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. This document is
protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Brittie Donald
