A solid understanding of sentence structure (see previous lesson) lays a solid foundation for a discussion of punctuation. Be encouraged: although there are many kinds of punctuation and many circumstances for its use, the SAT tests those ideas in relatively limited ways. Additionally, many punctuation questions also concern sentence structure and are best addressed via the Clause Test recently introduced. This module reviews the Clause Test, but also concerns the aspects of punctuation it doesn’t cover.
The mathematician Émilie du Châtelet, a key Enlightenment thinker, translated Newton’s Principia Mathematica into French. Her version included extensive commentary and corrections that clarified complex theories. Du Châtelet’s work—still cited by scholars ______ lay the foundation for French mathematical thought in the 18th century.
Which text completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. today, helped
B. today helped
C. today–helped
D. today; helped
Punctuation questions always involve some aspect of sentence structure, so you will find some overlap between this lesson and the previous one. In this case, though, we can zoom in just on the portion of the sentence including “still cited by scholars today.” The reason we can be so narrowly focused is the em dash (looks like a hyphen, but longer) found before the word “still”. An em dash acts like a comma, but provides a stronger break; another way to describe it is in its similarity to parentheses. For a more vivid picture, imagine an actor on stage, turning aside from the dialogue to speak directly to the audience. In theater, this is known as an “aside” and illustrates how an em dash pauses the narration to add detail about the subject recently introduced.
In this case, it is Du Châtelet’s work that is described in fuller detail by what comes after the em dash. Her work was so significant that it is “still cited by scholars today.” But how do we punctuate the end of that phrase? The rule for em dashes is that one em dash requires another–unless the phrase comes at the end of the sentence, in which case the sentence simply ends with a period instead of a second em dash. Think again of parentheses; one parenthesis requires another. Unless at the very end of the sentence, an em dash clause is just the same.
We now know how to complete the punctuation. Since the sentence continues after this “aside” between em dashes, we need a second em dash rather than a period (and the answer choices don’t offer a period anyway). A comma won’t do, and we can also eliminate the answer without any punctuation (some is required). The semicolon would be separating two independent clauses, and the part inside the em dashes is not an independent clause. The answer is C.
The first step to mastering punctuation questions is understanding the primary rules for common marks. For example:
Commas: Use to separate elements in a list, after introductory phrases, or to set off non-essential information.
Example: Of all of the different calendar layouts, including horizontal and vertical timetables, Betsy prefers a grid system with a lot of scheduling freedom.
Semicolons: Use to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a list when commas are present.
Example: While parrots prefer warmer temperatures, sparrows can thrive anywhere; in fact, the sparrow population is booming in Alaska.
Colons: Use to introduce a list, explanation, or emphasis.
Example: He lost his car keys in the snow, bumped his head on the mailbox looking for them, and acquired mild frostbite: it was not shaping up to be a good morning for Kevin.
Dashes (also known as em dashes): Use for emphasis or to set off parenthetical information.
Example: The Tichenor House—located in Long Beach, CA—is one of America’s architectural gems and structural oddities.
A good rule of thumb is to think of dashes like parentheses; just like parentheses, you will typically find two of them. But unlike parentheses, a dash may be single if it starts a phrase that ends the sentence. In this case the period at the end of the sentence closes the phrase in the way a second dash normally would.
Example: Will France just have a revolution every hundred years–as appears to be its custom?
If you see multiple punctuation options that all seem potentially correct from a grammatical point of view, look for clarity. Which of the answers most helps you understand the meaning of the sentence? Meanwhile, conciseness is always preferred to wordiness. Your guide is the principle that all other things being equal, a shorter answer is better.
This handy rhyming phrase is our way of helping you deal with a fact known to English teachers across the globe: people (perhaps especially students!) tend to overuse punctuation, especially commas. Perhaps something makes us nervous when we have too many words in a row without punctuation, but the fact is that the English language can accommodate rather long phrases and clauses without punctuation. If you can’t name a specific reason for a comma to be present and you can read the sentence without having to pause at that particular place, “take it out!” No comma necessary.
The Handlebar Rule is implied by what is said about commas under “Know the Core Rules”; commas are used to “set off unnecessary information.” It’s worth expanding this thought with a word picture. Imagine you see a phrase that, when taken out of a sentence, permits the sentence to still exist as a full thought. That phrase should be surrounded by commas. Imagine grabbing these commas like handlebars and pulling the entire phrase out of the sentence. Don’t be afraid to use your hands and arms in imagining this! If you can grab those commas and pull out everything in between and the sentence still works, you have found a phrase that should be surrounded by commas. Grab those “handlebars”.
The main aspect of punctuation with which students might not be familiar is the use of the semicolon in a series. Overwhelmingly, SAT questions will use the semicolon for its primary function: separating independent clauses. On occasion, though, a sentence will use semicolons to separate long phrases or clauses from each other. Here is an example:
The San Francisco 49ers were quite the dynasty in the 1980’s. They won their first Super Bowl after the 1981 season; after the 1984 season, their second one; and their third and fourth, back to back, after the 1988 and 1989 seasons.
Answer this: What does the letter C in the QUICKER method stand for?
CONTEXT is king.
In 1938, chemist Roy Plunkett accidentally discovered polytetrafluoroethylene, better known as Teflon. The substance was found to be remarkably heat-resistant, chemically stable, and nonstick. Because these properties made it ideal for use in everything from cookware to _______ Teflon became a household name.
Which text completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. spacecraft
B. spacecraft,
C. spacecraft;
D. spacecraft:
The answer is B. The rule in this case is that an introductory phrase or clause requires a comma after it. An introductory phrase might be as short as “After dinner”, as in the sentence, “After dinner, we did the dishes.” But you may encounter an entire clause used in an introductory way; in these cases, the clause will begin with a subordinating conjunction, like “because” in this sentence. Part of the reason we know a comma is required is that there is another entire clause in this sentence: “Teflon became a household name.” Two clauses must be joined by some punctuation, and the Clause Test (see the lesson on Sentence Structure) shows us that if one clause is dependent (as is the first one here), we use a comma.
The Amazon rainforest is home to a staggering variety of life. Researchers estimate that it contains more than three million species of plants, animals, and insects. This rich biodiversity supports local communities and regulates the global climate. It also provides essential ______ medicines, foods, and natural fibers.
Which text completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. resources such as
B. resources, such as,
C. resources, such as:
D. resources, such as
The answer is D. You may have read choice A and noticed that it feels awkward to place no punctuation after “resources”; if you read the sentence aloud, it sounds like there should be a pause there. The remaining choices provide a comma for that purpose, and the comma works in part because the rest of the sentence does not constitute an independent clause.
But what should follow “such as”: a comma, a colon, or nothing at all? Many students will mistakenly choose the colon here, since what follows “such as” is a list of essential resources. Usually, colons introduce lists, but following the word “including” or the phrase “such as”, the colon is not used. If this doesn’t feel natural to you, make sure to memorize this exception. No punctuation is required after “such as” here; the sentence reads fine without a pause at that location.
In 2004, astronomers discovered a new object beyond Pluto. This object was later named Eris, and it led to a reclassification of what defines a planet. As a result, Pluto lost its planetary ______ it became known as a “dwarf planet.”
Which text completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. status; in fact,
B. status; in fact
C. status, in fact
D. status in fact,
The answer is A. This question requires us to make two decisions. The first determination is what punctuation should follow “status”: a semicolon, a comma, or nothing. The Clause Test helps us here: both “Pluto lost its planetary status” and “it became known as a ‘dwarf planet’” are independent clauses, so a semicolon is appropriate. From there, we proceed to our second decision: a comma versus no punctuation after “in fact”. This prepositional phrase is acting here as a discourse marker, introducing an idea that amplifies what came before. Since it is grammatically separate from the rest of the sentence, a comma is required. As always, read the sentence to yourself and pause where the comma is placed; a pause after “in fact” should sound natural.
Caribbean folklore is known for its emphasis on the symbolism of water. Whether as a destructive force or a symbol of renewal, water thematically pervades Caribbean folk writing. Literary scholar Maya Higgins argues that oral storytelling transforms this kind of symbol into a cultural anchor.
Which text completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Literary scholar, Maya Higgins
B. Literary scholar, Maya Higgins,
C. Literary scholar Maya Higgins,
D. Literary scholar Maya Higgins
The answer is D. Though this type of question is often missed on the SAT, the explanation is straightforward. There is a difference between “Maya Higgins, a literary scholar” and “Literary scholar Maya Higgins.” The former uses “a literary scholar” as an appositive phrase and requires commas on both sides due to what we call the “Handlebar Rule” above. The latter uses “literary scholar” as a sort of title. The rule with titles is that they do not require commas. Consider two examples: “Former professional athlete Mia Hamm” or “Insurance spokesman Dean Winters”, when functioning as the subject of a sentence, sound fine without any commas or pauses. “Literary scholar Maya Higgins” follows the same rule.
Librarian Nancy Pearl became famous for promoting the concept of the “rule of 50.” This rule suggests that readers should give a book 50 pages before deciding to stop. ______ has written several books recommending titles across many genres.
Which text completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Pearl, a well-known bibliophile
B. Pearl, a well-known bibliophile,
C. Pearl, a well-known bibliophile—
D. Pearl a well-known bibliophile,
The answer is B. The explanation to the previous question referenced the Handlebar Rule as a contrast to the right answer; this question uses the rule to point to the right answer. Quoting the description above: “If you can grab those commas and pull out everything in between and the sentence still works, you have found a phrase that should be surrounded by commas. Grab those ‘handlebars’.”
Let’s apply that idea here. The key phrase is “a well-known bibliophile”. Could the sentence survive grammatically if we took out that phrase? We would be left with, “Pearl has written several books recommending titles across many genres.” That sentence sounds complete, so we known that “a well-known bibliophile” functions as an appositive phrase needing to be surrounded by commas. Fortunately for you, you are taking this course, so instead of having to remember something obscure like “appositive phrase”, you can think of it as the Handlebar Rule!
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