Standard English Conventions • 26% of test
Form, Structure & Sense
Select your difficulty level to start practicing. We recommend mastering each level before moving to the next.
Beginner17 Sets
Beginner Practice
Start here to build your foundation. Clear texts and straightforward questions.
Target Score
400-550
Intermediate15 Sets
Intermediate Practice
Level up with more complex passages and nuanced answer choices.
Target Score
550-700
Advanced15 Sets
Advanced Practice
Master the hardest concepts. Dense academic prose and abstract topics.
Target Score
700-800
What is Form, Structure & Sense?
Form, Structure & Sense questions test grammar rules beyond punctuation: subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, verb tense, modifier placement, and parallel structure.
Step-by-Step Strategy
- 1Identify what's being tested: subject-verb agreement? pronoun? tense?
- 2Find the subject for agreement questions (ignore interrupting phrases)
- 3Check pronoun reference clarity and number agreement
- 4Maintain consistent verb tense unless logic requires a shift
- 5Ensure parallel structure in lists and comparisons
⚠️ Common Traps to Avoid
- ✗Being confused by words between subject and verb
- ✗Using singular verbs with plural subjects (or vice versa)
- ✗Unclear pronoun reference (who does 'they' refer to?)
- ✗Breaking parallel structure in lists
- ✗Shifting tense unnecessarily
Frequently Asked Questions
What is subject-verb agreement?
Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs. Find the true subject, ignoring interrupting phrases.
How do I find the subject?
Ask: WHO or WHAT is doing the action? Ignore prepositional phrases between subject and verb.
What's a pronoun reference error?
When it's unclear what the pronoun refers to. 'John told Mike that he was wrong'—who is 'he'? Ambiguous.
When should verb tense change?
Only when the time frame changes. 'Yesterday I walked' (past) vs 'tomorrow I will walk' (future). Stay consistent otherwise.
What is parallel structure?
Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison. 'I like swimming, hiking, and to run' is wrong—should be 'swimming, hiking, and running.'
How common are these questions?
Expect 6-10 per test. They make up a large portion of the <a href='/reading-writing'>Standard English Conventions section</a>.
What about modifier placement?
Modifiers should be next to what they describe. 'Running quickly, the bus was caught' makes it sound like the bus is running.
Are collective nouns singular or plural?
Usually singular in American English: 'The team IS winning,' 'The jury HAS decided.'
How do I check my answer?
Read the entire sentence with your answer. Does it sound grammatically correct? Does it follow the relevant rule?
Should I memorize all grammar rules?
Focus on the dozen most-tested rules. SAT grammar is predictable; mastering common patterns covers most questions.
What's the most tested rule?
Subject-verb agreement, followed by pronoun issues and parallel structure. These three appear frequently.
How do I practice effectively?
Learn the rule, then practice. Try our <a href='/reading-writing/form-structure-sense/advanced'>Advanced Form & Structure sets</a> for complex grammar.
How do I handle 'Dangling Modifiers'?
Check if the introductory phrase correctly describes the noun following the comma. If not, the modifier is dangling.
What is the 'Subjunctive' mood?
Used for hypothetical situations or wishes (e.g., 'If I WERE you...'). Note 'were' is used even for singular subjects.
Each, Everyone: Singular or Plural?
In formal SAT grammar, 'each' and 'everyone' are always SINGULAR and take singular pronouns (he/she, his/her).
What are 'Faulty Comparisons'?
Comparing two things that aren't alike. 'The price of apples is higher than oranges' is wrong; it should be 'than the price of oranges'.
How do I maintain 'Parallelism' in comparisons?
Use the same form: 'I prefer playing tennis to watching it' (both -ing). Don't mix 'to play' and 'watching'.
What about 'Who' vs 'Whom'?
Use 'Who' for subjects (who did this?) and 'Whom' for objects (to whom am I speaking?). A quick trick: Who=He, Whom=Him.