Commas

In general, commas can do many things. Within the SAT, they tend to revolve around one word: describe.

So, we are going to engender the idea comma = describe.

Before we delve in to the first application of this idea, let’s acknowledge that as we get more and more comfortable with recognizing when to use a comma, we are helping ourselves on two fronts.

i) Knowing when to use commas, we’ll use them when the time is right.

ii) Knowing when to use commas, we’ll also realize when not to use them.

Ok, let’s talk about how commas can be used to create a classic appositive.

A classic appositive has three key attributes.

i) It is a phrase in the middle of a sentence that is being used to describe(which is why we are talking about this concept on this page).

ii) It is bracketed by either two commas or two dashes.

iii) It can be removed from a sentence and what’s left is still a complete sentence.

ex.   Annalisa, a well-known singer in Italia, had a major hit with the song “Sinceramente”.

The highlighted phrase above is an example of a classic appositive, and it brings to life all three mentioned attributes.

i) The phrase is in the middle of the sentence and it is describing “Annalisa”.

ii) It is bracketed by two commas(which could have also been two dashes).

iii) If we remove the phrase from the sentence, we are left with, “Annalisa had a major hit with the song “Sinceramente””, which is indeed a complete sentence.

As we continue to train together, it won’t be a big deal if you call an appositive and appositive. What’s more important is that, eventually, you can spot one with confidence.

In defining this concept of an appositive, we are being very particular in acknowledging that the description is in the middle of the sentence. Let’s now acknowledge that an SAT sentence can certainly start or end with a description.

ex.   A well-known singer in Italia, Annalisa had a major hit with the song “Sinceramente”.

The sentence above starts with the description and the comma is separating the description from who/what is getting described.

ex.   The major hit song “Sinceramente” is by Annalisa, a well-known singer in Italia.

Now, we see the description ending the sentence, but again, the comma is separating the description from who/what is getting described.

Think comma = describe, sì?

Let’s come back round to something we said earlier: when we know when to use a comma, we also cultivate the know-how to know when not to use a comma.

For the typical SAT question, if a comma is part of a correct answer, it will be there for a concrete reason, such as what we’ve been discussing here in regards to describing. This can lead us to thinking then, that if we do not have a concrete reason to use a comma, then there is a very solid chance that we should not end up using a comma.