6.13.

17
SAT Writing Rules
Examples

1. Apostrophe
Singular [ + s]
o The girls pencil
o Miless students
Plural [-S + , -ES + (if singular ends in S (e.g. dress)]
If plural BUT doesnt end in S (e.g. feet, children, mice), add + -S
o The girls pencils
o The dresses colors
o The mices cheese
Pronoun
o Its vs. Its
Wrong: Seoul is a city known for its many idol groups.
Right: Seoul is a city known for its many idol groups.
nd
o 2
Wrong: Seoul is a densely populated city; in fact, its
among the most populated cities in the world.
Right: Seoul is a densely populated city; in fact, its
among the most populated cities in the world.
o Theyre vs. Their vs. There
Theyre
Right: Seoul and Tokyo are two of the most
famous cities in Asia, and theyre known for
having many idol groups.
Their
Right: Seoul and Tokyo, two of the most famous
cities in Asia, are known for their many idol
groups.
There
Right: Back in the day, Seoul was considered the
capital of the breakdancing culture because so
many skilled dancers lived and danced there.
o Whos vs. Whose
 Whos
Right: Miles Kim is a dictator whos best known
for his aggressive teaching style.
Whose
Right: Miles Kim is a dictator whose grammar
lessons helped earn his students stellar scores.
Whose/Who Whose unlike who can be used for both
people & things/places
Right: Seoul is a city whose many idol groups,
break-dancers, and pianists make it a popular
music destination.

2. Semicolons & Periods

Semicolon = Period
When are they used?
o Between two complete sentences (Complete sentence =
Independent Clause)
Seoul is an old city; it has many new buildings.
o Before conjunctive adverbs (transition words) such as
however, moreover, and therefore when they are used to begin
a clause
Seoul is an old city; however, it has many new buildings.
Seoul is an old city; therefore, it has buildings from many
different eras.
o Sentence Boundary Questions Beginning of one sentence
(in 2017 [beginning of 2nd sentence part of 1st sentence =
WRONG]
Wrong: Miles Kim is a dictator whose teaching style
helped earn him the Teachers Award in 2016, he won
the award in the Writing.
Right: Miles Kim is a dictator whose teaching style
helped earn him the Teachers Award. In 2016, he won
the award in Writing.