SAT Grammar 6: Modifiers and Parallel StructureSAT Grammar 6: Modifiers and Parallel Structure

S A T R E A D I N G A N D W R I T I N G · GRAMMAR

Modifiers and Parallel Structure

SAT Grammar Guide 6

Goal: Place descriptive phrases next to what they describe and keep matching ideas in matching grammatical form. Original study notes on standard SAT grammar and punctuation rules, with original examples. Not copied from any prep book.

Big Picture

Modifier and parallelism questions test whether a sentence is logically built. A descriptive phrase must touch its noun, and items in a list or comparison must have the same form.

Modifiers

Rule: a modifying phrase must be next to the noun it describes. An opening phrase describes the subject of the main clause that follows the comma.

Dangling modifier: "Walking to school, the rain started." The rain was not walking. Fix: "Walking to school, Lena felt the rain start."

Misplaced modifier: "She served pie to the guests on paper plates." Better: "She served the guests pie on paper plates."

Only, almost, nearly go right before the word they limit.

Comparisons: compare like with like. Wrong: "The population of Denver is larger than Boise." Right: "larger than that of Boise."

Parallel Structure

Items joined by and, or, but, or listed in a series should share the same grammatical form.

Lists: "She likes hiking, biking, and swimming." (all -ing)

Correlative pairs must be parallel: either...or, neither...nor, both...and, not only...but also. Comparisons: "to run is better than to walk" or "running is better than walking," not a mix.

Infinitives and verbs: "to read, to write, and to edit."

Not parallel Parallel

The coach asked us to stretch, run laps, and that we drink water. The coach asked us to stretch, run laps, and drink water. He is both a skilled painter and plays piano. He is both a skilled painter and a talented pianist. She not only wrote the code but also the documentation was hers. She wrote not only the code but also the documentation. Key Terms

Term / Actor What it is and why it matters

Dangling modifier Opening phrase whose doer does not appear in the main clause.

Misplaced modifier Phrase placed far from the word it describes.

Parallel structure Matching grammatical form for matching ideas.

Correlative conjunctions Pairs like either...or and not only...but also.

Making This Essay-Ready

Check: Ask who or what is doing the action in the opening phrase, then see whether that noun comes right after the comma.

Trap: Both parts of a correlative pair must be followed by the same type of phrase.

SAT Grammar Guide 6 · Original SAT grammar study notes