English and Language Usage
Grammar, punctuation, and the traps test writers love
The English and Language Usage section tests standard conventions: parts of speech, sentence structure, fragments and run-ons, subject-verb agreement, pronoun case and agreement, punctuation, modifiers, parallelism, capitalization, and commonly confused words.
Sentence structure: a simple sentence has one independent clause; a compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon; a complex sentence pairs an independent clause with a dependent clause.
Traps:
- Subject-verb agreement with interrupting phrases: 'The box of tools is heavy.' The subject is box, not tools.
- Comma splices: two independent clauses joined by only a comma. Fix with a period, semicolon, or conjunction.
- Pronoun-antecedent: 'Each student must bring his or her book.' Each is singular.
- Misplaced modifiers: 'Running late, she missed the bus.' The opening phrase must describe the subject.
- Its versus it's: its is possessive; it's means it is.
Worked example: 'The report, along with its appendices, ___ due Friday.' The subject is report (singular), so the verb is is: 'is due Friday.' The phrase 'along with its appendices' does not change the subject.