SAT R&W 7: Standard English Conventions — Boundaries

Punctuation

A system of marks, spacing, and related conventions that signals how written language should be read and interpreted. It can indicate pauses, sentence boundaries, grammatical relationships, emphasis, or tone.

How can punctuation change the meaning of a sentence?

Punctuation can alter which words or ideas are grouped together and therefore change emphasis or interpretation. For example, changing a comma to a colon can change the relationship the sentence emphasizes.

What punctuation can end a complete sentence?

A period ends a declarative sentence, a question mark ends a direct question, and an exclamation point ends an exclamation or emphatic statement.

What is a complete sentence?

A complete sentence contains at least one independent clause: a group of words with a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought.

What is a sentence fragment?

A sentence fragment is an incomplete group of words presented as a sentence. It may lack a subject, a finite verb, or a complete thought.

What is a run-on sentence?

A run-on sentence improperly joins two or more independent clauses without the punctuation or conjunction required between them.

What is a comma splice?

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma. Replace the comma with a period, semicolon, or comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

How can two independent clauses be joined correctly?

Use a period, a semicolon, or a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet.

When is a semicolon used between clauses?

Use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. Both sides of the semicolon must be able to stand as complete sentences.

When is a colon used between clauses?

Use a colon after a complete independent clause to introduce an explanation, example, elaboration, or list. The material before the colon must be able to stand as a complete sentence.

How does a dash function as internal punctuation?

A dash can set off an interruption, aside, clarification, or emphatic conclusion. The sentence must remain grammatically complete if the dash-set-off material is removed, unless the dash introduces a final elaboration.

How are commas used to separate items in a series?

Commas separate three or more coordinate items. A serial comma appears before the conjunction in the final pair and can clarify the list's structure.

What is a serial comma?

The comma placed before the conjunction in a list of three or more items. It is used more consistently in American English than in British English.

When should a comma separate an introductory element from the main clause?

Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause when it helps mark the boundary before the main independent clause.

When should commas set off a nonessential element?

Use matching commas around information that can be removed without changing which person, thing, or idea the sentence identifies. Do not use commas around an essential element.

What is the difference between essential and nonessential information?

Essential information restricts or identifies the noun and is not set off with commas. Nonessential information adds extra detail and is set off with matching commas, dashes, or parentheses.

What is the difference between British and American quotation-punctuation conventions?

In British English, a period or comma generally goes inside quotation marks only when it belongs to the quoted material. In American English, periods and commas are usually placed inside the closing quotation mark regardless of whether they were part of the original quotation.

Why can punctuation rules not be assumed to be universal across languages?

Conventions vary by language, region, writing direction, historical period, and level of formality. The same mark may have a different shape, position, or grammatical function in another language.