KUTEMWA'S SAT WRITING CHEAT SHEET.

1. Shorter is better.
2. Being = wrong.
3. Period = Semicolon = Comma + FANBOYS conjunction. They must not be used
together.
They are used to separate independent clauses ONLY.
4. FANBOYS conjunctions can never begin a sentence.
5. Subordinating conjunctions can be used to start a dependent clause that must be joined
to an independent clause.
6. Subordinating conjunctions even after a comma can never join two dependent clauses
(run-on sentence).
7. Passive constructions(tip-off is 'by') are always longer than active ones.
8. Never use two synonyms to describe the same thing.
9. A complete sentence must contain a subject and a conjugated verb.
10. Verb + -ing is not a verb.
11. If a sentence still makes sense when a clause is crossed out, it is nonessential and
should be set off by commas or dashes.
12. If a phrase narrows down what is being talked about, it is essential.
13. Relative clauses are not essential to the sentence being a complete sentence but some
are essential.
14. Clauses beginning with 'that' are always essential and should not be set off any
punctuation. When 'that' is optional, no comma should replace it.
15. Which = that but 'which' follows a comma.
16. Inflated phrases like 'due to the fact that' and 'a way that was deemed' must be made
concise.
17. Commas around a name or title indicate that it is the only person/thing, making the name
nonessential.
18. Modifiers (including prepositional phrases, principals, gerunds and nonessential clauses)
must immediately be followed by the nouns they modify.
19. Group pronouns: G.P + of which / of whom = fragment.
G.P + 'of them' = sentence.
20. Where/when = preposition + which.
21. This, that and these should always be followed by a noun.
22. Never use a pronoun without an aforementioned noun and keep pronouns consistent.
23. Only compare like objects.
24. In a list, all items must be from the same part of speech.
25. In a list, a comma before 'and' is optional.
26. Full Colon = List or explanation. A complete, standalone thought is required before.
27. For transition questions, cross out the transition and determine the relationship between
the two parts of a sentence or sentences before looking at the options.
28. If choosing between options with or without transitions, look at the option without a
transition first.
29. Double transition = wrong.
30. Transitions can be used nonessentially within clauses.
31. For addition questions,read the surrounding information and get the point before looking
at the options. An added sentence must have part of the sentence before and part of the
sentence after with proper transition.
32. Its- possessive. It's- it is.
Possessive form of a noun requires an apostrophe + 's'.
For the possessive form of plural nouns, just add an apostrophe.
33. Parallel order: tense must be maintained in a list.
34. Answers choices with present perfect or past perfect tenses are almost always wrong
because most passages are in simple past and present.
35. Comma before or after a preposition = wrong.
36. A comma should be placed between adjectives whose order can be reversed(if putting
'and' between them makes sense).
37. A comma can be placed after a close parenthesis.
38. Who = whom but who is before a verb, whom after a preposition.
39. Reason = Why = Because so they must not be used together.
40. Whereby means 'by which' or 'according to which' and thereby means 'because of the'.
41. Use moderate English and do not choose a complicated word when a simple word is
enough to convey the intended meaning.
42. Avoid vague words: people, things, something, stuff, matters, aspects and tons of.
43. Use a semicolon to separate different types of items in a list if they are already
separated by commas.
44. For paragraph order, notice where a shift in topic occurs.
45. If you have a 'delete the underlined' option, check it first.