Your entire SAT score depends heavily on the SAT Writing Section, where punctuation is a significant area of emphasis. Commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes are all necessary for a composition that is clear and effective, but many students need help understanding how to use them.

Gaining proficiency in punctuation can significantly improve your score on the SAT's Written and Linguistic section. The fundamental SAT punctuation guidelines will be covered in this essay, along with helpful hints and techniques to help you become an expert.

The importance of punctuation in the SAT Writing Section:

The key component that maintains paragraph coherence elucidates significance and divides thoughts to guarantee concise and efficient composition is punctuation. In order to assess your proficiency with punctuation in constructing sentences, the SATs assess the way you use punctuation. 

The meaning of a phrase can be changed by improper punctuation, which could lead to misunderstandings. You may significantly improve your grade on the SAT Written and Linguistic portion by knowing how to utilize punctuation, semicolons, colons, and dashes correctly. For this reason, learning the SAT punctuation principles is essential to getting a good score. Check out our extensive advice on punctuation techniques and SAT success tips.

There is a need for the applicants to know the most frequently examined punctuation characters to do well on the SAT Writing part. These consist of:

• Semicolons (): There is no need to use conjunctions to use these punctuation marks. Semicolons are used to connect mutually distinct sentences. In a complicated list, when commas are previously deployed, they can additionally be employed to distinguish elements.
• Commas (,): These punctuation marks are used to set off opening factors. It joins distinct sentences using conjunctions to connect sentences. The sentences divide unimportant material and differentiate between objects mentioned in a list.
• Dashes (—): To emphasize a point or draw attention to a subject that is not needed, dashes can be used instead of colons, brackets, or commas. They are also helpful for giving your writing style some variation, although they are less professional.
• Colons: These punctuation marks are the beginning of a list. The colons show a list of clarifications or extensions of the phrase that comes before it. The reader is informed that something significant is about to happen by these vital signs of punctuation.

What are the SAT Punctuation rules?

By using proper punctuation on the SAT, you can get the opportunity to get a high score. There are specific rules and regulations for using these punctuation marks, which applicants have to follow. Let’s read the below detail:

Rules for using Comma-

• Taking items out of a list: If there is a list of items, events, or actions, then you can use commas to distinguish them. But remember, don’t use commas after conjunction words; they will be only used before conjunction words.

For example, I purchased cucumber, tomato, and carrot.

I went walking, running, and climbing.

• Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses: To understand the use of commas, restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses need to be understood. It is impossible to delete a restricted sentence from a paragraph without definitely changing the statement's overall purpose.

Example: The students studied in the library for hours on end.

Commas can only be used to separate sections in this phrase by modifying the meaning of it. A section of text is non-restrictive and ought to be enclosed by commas if it is not necessary for the paragraph's content or logic. Clauses that are essential to the paragraph sense shouldn't be surrounded by punctuation.

Example: Miss Rachna, who lives in the next bungalow, claims to be Riya.

The sentence's logic and meaning are not significantly affected by the term "who lives next bungalow." Commas correctly surround it.

To link two separate sentences: Before a conjunction like and, but, or, not, for, so, or still, place a comma. A comma can be used to join two separate clauses before a conjunction word.

Example: He studied hard, and he passed the exam.

·       Presenting modifiers and dependent sentences

If a sentence starts with a dependent clause, a comma will be placed after it. Here, we are sharing an example that will help you understand the dependent sentence.

Example: Because Richa did not study punctuation, her score was weaker than she had hoped.

 

On the other hand, when a sentence begins with a modifier, a comma also has to follow it.

Example: Regardless of her skills, the coach would not allow Tara to play during the game.

To get command over this modifier and dependent clause, you have to practice more. Moreover, correcting incorrect punctuation is required if you notice that it comes after a dependent clause or modifier.

Terminating introductory elements: Follow opening clauses, phrases, or words with a comma.

Example: After the match, we all went out for lunch."

• Commas should not separate adjectives and nouns. This is an inappropriate arrangement. Your understanding of this punctuation norm will be assessed on the SAT by employing headings as adjectives.

For example, I ran into John, my flatmate, on my way to class.

• Non-Essential Information: Eliminating these sentences would not alter the clause's sense. Additionally, commas must be used to separate each of these words.

Example with unnecessary terms: My grandmother's favorite recipe has been passed down through generations of families.

This example illustrates that it lacks the verb "my grandmother's favorite," which is not very helpful information.

After removing unnecessary terms,

Example: The family has been using this recipe for many generations.

So, we can see that after eliminating "my grandmother's favorite," the content's meaning remains unchanged. Make sure that these expressions are enclosed in commas, and practice identifying an appositive.

Rules for Colons on SAT-

·       Presenting a list or clarification: Colons are used to connect separate sentences. To ensure correct functioning, ensure that the colon comes after an entire sentence. You must correct the punctuation if a pause will not be used instead of the colon. Colons are often employed before lists or explanations on the SAT exam.

Examples-

She has three objectives: to travel, get employment, and graduate.

The well-known dessert recipe required a few simple components: sugar, wheat flour, milk, egg yolks, and powdered sugar.

Aunt Julie enjoys travelling, and her favourite places to visit are: historic sites and sunny beaches.

 

·       Emphasis: Colon is also used to highlight a point.

Example:

Only one subject is left: preparation. 

Rules for Semicolons on SAT-

·       Semicolons Between Complete Thoughts: Semicolons are used to separate two entire ideas. A semicolon is misused, and the phrase's punctuation needs to be corrected if it is to be substituted with another period.

Example of improper semicolon usage:

Since Beyonce is my preferred singer, I genuinely want to attend her concert.

 

This semicolon separates an entire idea from an unfinished concept. The statement must be rewritten to distinguish between two coherent ideas.

 

Example of proper semicolon usage:

My favorite singer is Beyonce, and I would really like to see her perform live.

 

·       Complex Lists: components in an order that possess commas should be separated with semicolons.

Example: John Doe, the CEO, joined the meeting; Jane Smith, the CFO; and Mary Johnson, the COO."

Rules for Dashes on SAT-

·       Dashes are an excellent way to identify a non-essential phrase. Similar to a colon, dashes can also come before an order or a clarification. It is improper to put dashes and commas simultaneously to indicate unnecessary sentences.

Example: The following sentence needs to be corrected.

The neighbor’s dog—a yellow lab—is always running away.

 

However, the below example shows how dashes should be used appropriately to illustrate meaningful sentences:

The neighbor’s dog—a yellow lab—is always running away.

 

·       An example of the dash using a list: For the well-known dessert recipe, a few simple components were needed: flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and baking powder.

• Adding Emphasis: To highlight an instance or indicate a halt, use a dash. Example: "There was just one activity she could do—run."

Here are a few of the practice questions for SAT punctuation:

1. According to Naomi Nakayama of the University of Edinburgh, seeds from a dying dandelion seem to float in the air while ______ because their porous plumes increase drag. This keeps the seeds in the air long enough for the wind to spread them throughout the surrounding area.

Which option completes the paragraph and makes it adhere to Standard English conventions?

1. falling, B. falling; C. falling; D. falling

Explanation-

Take note that the punctuation mark type is the only change in the options. That indicates that punctuation is the main topic of this question.

Let's examine the preceding and following words:

A lengthy and intricate noun phrase ("the reason... while falling") appears before the blank.

A verb ("is") comes after the blank.

Colonies and semicolons both need to come after an independent clause. We can rule out options B and C because neither side of the blank is an independent clause.

We also don't want a comma here because we know that it shouldn't be used between a subject and a verb. We can rule out option A. Option D, which truly refrains from using punctuation, is the only one that does not make any mistakes. The answer is choice D.

The SAT Preparation course offered by Gateway Abroad Education allows you to practice these punctuation norms. It is a consulting firm for international education that provides practice tests, thorough explanations of the questions, and performance monitoring tools to help you get ready for the significant examination. These sites might also help you learn more about your areas of weakness.

FAQs on SAT Punctuation

Q.1: When should I use commas or dashes in SAT?

Ans: In addition to introducing an index or clarification, they can be used to indicate the end of an unnecessary sentence or term. Dashes and commas cannot be combined when they serve a purpose with unnecessary verbs or sentences.

Q.2: What function does the colon serve on the SAT?

Ans-Colon establishes a link between an autonomous sentence or a whole idea and any subsequent pertinent details.

Q.3: Why would someone utilize a colon technique?

Whenever we change a part of a separate phrase or entire sentence, the colon always appears before it. They are connected by a colon, which indicates that the second section functions as a discussion of the previous section.