Language: Conventions of Standard English
What this domain tests
Conventions questions check grammar, usage, punctuation, and capitalization in context. The task is usually to choose the version of a sentence that is correct and clearest.
Concepts to master
- Subject-verb agreement: ignore interrupting phrases. "The box of old letters was stored" - the subject is "box."
- Pronoun-antecedent agreement and case: "Everyone must bring his or her form"; "between you and me" after a preposition.
- Verb tense consistency: keep tenses logical; shift only when time actually shifts.
- Sentence boundaries: comma splices and run-ons join independent clauses without proper punctuation. Fix with a period, semicolon, or comma plus conjunction.
- Punctuation: commas set off nonessential clauses; apostrophes mark possession (its = possessive, it's = it is); colons introduce lists or explanations.
- Modifiers: place modifiers next to what they describe. "Running late, she missed the bus" - not "Running late, the bus was missed."
Traps to expect
- Interrupting phrases that hide the real subject.
- Tricky pairs - their/there/they're, its/it's, your/you're, affect/effect.
- Comma splices that look acceptable because the clauses are short.
- Dangling modifiers at the start of a sentence.
Rule of thumb
For any agreement question, find the subject and the verb and read them alone together, ignoring everything between them. Then check the rest of the sentence.
Worked example
"The collection of rare coins, along with several old bills, were donated." Find the subject: "collection" (singular). "Along with several old bills" is an interrupting phrase. The verb must be "was." Corrected: "The collection of rare coins, along with several old bills, was donated."