<p>Could someone give a brief summary on when to use what punctuation, and some examples, please?
I never understand when to use colons, and semi-colons. I also have a lot of problems with using commas.</p>
<p>The SAT does not test you on punctuation - unlike the ACT.
Leave them commas alone! :)</p>
<p>I thought i might be helpful for the writing part. I dont want to confuse my scorers by putting commas in random places :)</p>
<p>"I never understand when to use colons, and semi-colons."</p>
<p>Ah, the irony! Sorry...</p>
<p>The SAT actually tests you on punctuation, but rarely.</p>
<p>Anyway, here's my 2 cents:</p>
<p>Use semicolons to connect sentences or constructions that can normally stand on their own.
Ex.
The SAT used to stand for Scholastic Aptitude Test; it now stands for Stupid American Test.
Today it rained heavily; tomorrow it will snow.
The twerp was entertaining thoughts of killing the poor insect; he never did so.</p>
<p>Use the colon to introduce a term, idea or object that you've been discussing about earlier in the sentence.
Ex.
He hated the most detestable human trait: ignorance.
Bob had but one goal: to immigrate to Wisconsin.
His only purpose was blatant: to eradicate the pests.</p>
<p>Comma is widely used and I'm afraid I can't provide you a comprehensive set of rules or examples. As far as the SAT goes, always use it before and, which, who and the like.
Ex.
Andi, who was dangerously in love, forwent his other concerns.
The College Board connects students to college success, and takes a good whole of money for doing that.
The decree, which had been previously proposed, was finally enacted.</p>
<p>Thanks 714nD1!</p>
<p>one more concrete question:
"When she saw her SAT scores, she fainted from the shock"
Is it correct to use a comma in this sentence?</p>
<p>harvard, yes....and to amber's post:</p>
<p>"I never understand when to use colons, and semi-colons."
is a perfectly fine sentence. it depends on how you say it.<br>
Listen, basically, whenever you have a pause in your sentence, you need a comma.
Look at that sentence i just wrote. Say it out loud like you would, and each time you pause, you'll see that I put a comma there.</p>
<p>HEY can some one explain when to use which, that, and who vs. whom. i am getting confused</p>
<p>Which explanation you'll like depends on who will give it to you and whom you trust. If that does not answer your question, just bump that request for help.</p>
<p>I hoped somebody would take the bait and correct me... </p>
<p>WHICH and WHAT as adjectives.</p>
<p>WHICH is generally used when choices are limited:
"which word do you prefer using - which or what?"</p>
<p>WHAT is used when there are (somewhat) unlimited possibilities:
"what score will I get???"</p>
<p>To further complicate things...
Each of WHICH and WHAT can be used as an interrogative pronoun:
"what do you mean?"
"which is my seat?"</p>
<p>WHICH can be used as a relative pronoun:
"the test which I am taking tomorrow :eek: scares me out of my breeches".</p>