How ESL Students Can Tackle Modifiers and Verbs Questions in SAT Grammar
LESSON 4
English Grammar for ESL Students
This article helps ESL students improve their SAT grammar skills by focusing on modifiers and verbs.
Understanding how to use modifiers and verbs correctly is essential for answering SAT grammar questions with confidence.
With clear explanations and practice tips, you’ll learn how to tackle these common question types and boost your Digital SAT score.
What is a Modifier?
A modifier in English is a word, phrase or clause that adds description. To modify means to change, so, in a sentence, the modifier can ‘change’ the meaning of an element like the subject (noun) or what they are doing (verb).
Modifier Examples
- She is a beautiful woman – Subject (noun): woman, Modifier (adjective): beautiful
- The car is fast – Subject (noun): car, Modifier (adjective): fast
- He arrived early– action (verb): to arrive, Modifier (adverb): early
- The pizza was very tasty – phrase (adjective): to be tasty, Modifier (adverb): very
Try it for yourself. Play the modifier game.
- Choose a subject area like ‘the man’ or ‘the woman’
- Now start with ‘A’ and choose a modifier of the man or the woman beginning with the letter ‘A’
- Choose the next student to play.
- The next student chooses a modifier of the man or the woman beginning with the letter ‘B’
- Continue until a student can’t find an answer
- then choose a new subject (e.g. animals, school items) and play again
GAME EXAMPLE
- the adventurous man
- a beautiful woman
- a caring woman
- a dangerous man
- a man easily recognized
- a man fearlessly brave
- a woman gently sat down
- a happily married man
Modifiers that are Phrases
The man in the red shirt is my teacher.
She saw a cat under the table.
The book on the desk is mine
- The phrase ‘in the red shirt’ modifies the subject ‘the man’
- The propositional phrases ‘under the table’ and ‘on the desk’ tell us where the cat and the book (the subjects) are located.
Modifiers that are Clauses
The man who is wearing a red shirt is my teacher.
She saw a cat that was hiding under the table.
The book that is on the desk is mine.
The sentences ‘The man is my teacher’, ‘She saw a cat’, and ‘the book is mine’ have a clause inserted into the sentence, to add, describe or ‘modify’ the subject.
What is the Subject Modifier?
Inside the sentence (mid-sentence modifier)
Maria, who had arrived early, helped set up the classroom.
Jack, who was feeling tired, stayed at home.
The car, which my father bought last year, is very fast.
Opening modifier
When she arrived at school, Maria saw her friends waiting.
Although he was tired, Jack finished his homework.
Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
Identify the Subject (Noun)
Subject modifier placement is a grammar rule that says a modifier needs to be next to the subject.
In the following exercises, the initial phrase act as modifiers to the subject. What is the subject?
Identify the Subject - Simple Exercise 1
Enter the correct subject from this list:
the man, the car, the dog, the book, the house, the student, the tree
- Wearing the blue shirt, _________ was seen in the restaurant.
- With the green door, _________ also had a unique chimney.
- Barking loudly at the gate, _________ didn’t like the visitor.
- Placed on the table, __________ stood out with its bright colors.
- Reading in the library, ___________ focused intensely.
- With a red roof, ___________ stands out from the others.
- Covered in beautiful flowers, ________ makes the scene even better.
Identify the Subject - Exercise 2
Enter the correct subject from this list:
the lamp, the story, the park, the shoes, the building, the girl, the artist
- Damaged by the storm, _________ looked in need of repair.
- Painting a stunning landscape, _________ used a range of green and blues.
- filled with joggers in the morning, _________ is the biggest in town.
- inspired by true events, __________ documents the life of the writer.
- shining brightly in the corner, ___________ lit the room.
- playing the violin beautifully, ___________ was amazing.
- made of high-quality leather, ________ are expensive but worth it.
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Improve your grammar preparing for the SAT (SAT Prep)
SAT Subject Modifier Placement
Time to try the SAT subject modifier placement practice exercises. In this article we show how to answer these questions and then you can try the subject modifier placement questions with answers given after. Good luck!
SAT Grammar Verb Form
Time to try the SAT verb form practice exercises. In this article we show details of verb form below. To prep for SAT try the practice questions with answers given in this link. Good luck!
What is Verb Form?
There are many types of verbs so they can take different forms due to the verb tense (past, present or future tense), number (e.g. sing, sings) and other forms like modal verbs (e.g. can sing, could sing)
SAT Strategy
Questions will normally have the wrong verb form or have auxiliay verbs incorrect or missing. Have confidence in your feeling if the text is wrong and what option is correct.
SAT writing: Verbs in the English Language
There are many types of verbs so they can take different forms due to the verb tense (past, present or future tense), number (e.g. sing, sings) and other forms like modal verbs (e.g. can sing, could sing)
Example:
The students are preparing for the SAT. (Correct verb form: present continuous for an action happening now.)
Tip for ESL students: When preparing for the SAT or ACT test, make sure you understand how English verb tenses show time and subject-verb agreement.
SAT Tips & Advice
Recognizing the correct form of the verb is gained by reading and general exposure to English and English learning. It is a skill gained naturally rather than having to learn many grammar rules.
As a native speaker English it is easier to gain afeeling to what sounds or feels correct rahter than understand the complexity of the differnet verb forms. Preparing for the digital SAT (DSAT), it is better to use practice questions than spending time on these areas of grammar.
If you wish to check on an area of verb-related grammar there are many resources. But these questions are only a small part of the SAT test.
FAQ for Digital SAT Grammar Rules & Punctuation
What are modifiers in SAT grammar?
Modifiers are words or phrases that describe or give more detail about another word in a sentence, such as an adjective describing a noun or an adverb modifying a verb. Correct placement of modifiers is important to avoid confusion.
How can ESL students improve their understanding of verbs for the SAT?
Practice recognizing different verb forms, tenses, and how verbs agree with subjects. Focus on common SAT verb questions like subject-verb agreement and verb tense consistency.
Why is modifier placement important in SAT grammar questions?
Incorrect modifier placement can change the meaning of a sentence or make it unclear. The SAT tests your ability to place modifiers correctly to ensure clarity.
What strategies help with answering modifiers and verbs questions on the SAT?
Read the sentence carefully, identify what the modifier is describing, and make sure it is placed next to the correct word. For verbs, check that the verb tense and subject-verb agreement are correct.
What grammar rules do I need to know for the SAT?
To do well on the SAT grammar questions, you need to know standard English conventions, including verb forms, subject-verb agreement, subject modifier placement, punctuation rules, and sentence structure. A good understanding of grammar rules helps with both the writing section and the reading section of the SAT.
What is the best resource for SAT grammar?
The best resource for SAT grammar depends on your English level. The College Board offers official practice tests and sample questions. Many international students and English language learners find that SAT prep books with explanations in simple English and SAT practice exams with answer explanations are helpful. ESL learners may also benefit from targeted grammar and reading practice focused on standard English.
How to get 800 on SAT grammar?
To get a perfect score on the SAT writing section, you should build your knowledge of English grammar, practice timed tests, and review types of questions often found on the SAT. Work on comprehension of test directions and focus on answering the questions correctly within the time limit. Using SAT practice tests designed for ESL learners or non-native English speakers can also help improve your accuracy and speed.
Where can I practice SAT grammar?
You can practice SAT grammar using official SAT practice questions from the College Board, SAT prep for ESL programs, or websites that offer SAT practice tests and ACT English practice. Timed practice tests are useful for improving both grammar and reading comprehension. Many study apps also offer SAT vocabulary, grammar, and writing practice.
SAT Test Prep Worksheet
A good SAT prep worksheet for ESL learners includes:
- Practice questions on verb forms and subject modifiers
- Timed practice tests that match the portion of the test you are preparing for
- SAT reading and writing practice with answer choice explanations
- Exercises combining grammar and reading comprehension to build skills needed for the writing section of the SAT
Using worksheets with comprehension tasks helps students improve their English while prepping for the SAT.
Final Tips and Strategies for ELL Students and Second Language Learners
For ELL students and anyone learning English as a second language, preparing for the SAT or ACT can feel challenging — but with the right tips and strategies, you can succeed.
Build your understanding of English grammar by focusing on areas tested on both the SAT and ACT. These include subject-verb agreement, verb forms, punctuation, and sentence structure.
When you are looking to take the SAT, there are 54 questions in total in the SAT reading and writing part and about 20% of the test questions are for grammar. So study for the SAT using your time to improve reading, vocabulary and the grammar you learn in these lessons.
If you’re deciding whether you require the SAT or want to explore ACT prep as an alternative, look at the test format that best matches your strengths. Both the SAT and ACT include English and reading sections that assess comprehension and grammar.
Practice questions on the ACT or SAT regularly, and try timed practice sessions to improve your speed and accuracy. This is especially important for SAT ESL learners who may need to get used to the pace of the test.
For second language learners, it helps to build vocabulary alongside grammar practice. Focus on common English words that often appear in the tests.
Finally, use official materials, such as practice tests from the College Board and ACT organization, to get familiar with the types of questions and instructions you’ll see on test day.