Why is using correct grammar important?
 |
Your writing talents rely on a strong foundation in grammar. |
|
Your SAT and ACT scores depend upon your ability to use grammar correctly. |
|
Even your AP scores will benefit from an improved understanding and use of grammar. |
Links to websites which both define and clearly explain common grammatical problems:
Faulty Parallelism. This site provides a good review of the value of parallel constructions. The webmasters address the topic as both a grammatical and a rhetorical structure. The explanations are thorough, the quizzes are relevant, and the movie of the Gettysburg Address is interesting. Enjoy!
Looking for information on sentence types? Visit this website with comprehensive definitions of simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences. It includes numerous examples and very clear details to be sure you understand the difference. For the AP English test, it is helpful to understand and be able to identify various sentence types. For the SAT or ACT, it would be more helpful to understand clauses and how they relate to punctuation.
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers. Throughout our PSAT and SAT practices, I have become aware of egregious weaknesses in identifying Misplaced Modifiers. The 2004 PSAT Practice Test revealed the majority of errors involved locating Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers. Be sure to review this quick website to ensure you know the difference between a correctly placed modifier and a misplaced or dangling one.
Another site also explains misplaced and dangling modifiers. The best part about this site is the option to take two quizzes on misplaced modifiers. Scroll to the bottom of the page. The quizzes only take a few moments and will really solidify your understanding of modifiers. (If you're still having problems, meet with me or visit the writing lab.)
Another Misplaced and Dangling Modifier Quiz. This site looks a little hokey, but I read all of the pages on Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers and aced the quiz. I think you'll do well also. Give it a try!
A very thorough explanation of subject verb agreement. The details include s-v agreement with intervening phrases (a favorite problem on the SAT) and how to handle confusing subjects like "some" and "each". There are also two quizzes offered at the bottom of the page.
Back in the day, English instruction typically involved Diagramming Sentences. I even had an entire course in it in college. Just in case you're interesting in learning more about Diagramming Sentences, you can check out this webpage. Do watch the Powerpoint presentation; it's SO thorough!
