For these questions, the magic number is three.

This type of construction consists of three consecutive verb “blocks”.

The verbs in each block have to match, just like they do when you speak in everyday life. There is a reason that you don't say, " I like to swim, to dive, and fished."

Instead, because the verb blocks match, you say, "I like to swim, to dive, and to fish."

On the SAT, whichever of the three blocks does not match, usually the last one, is the incorrect one.

SAMPLE PRACTICE QUESTION FOR COMMA SERIES WITH VERBS

        Standing on the hill, looking down on the town,
                                                             (A)
        and relaxed, the students realized how much they
                    (B)                                               (C)        (D)
        all wanted to move to the city. No Error
                                                               (E)

When you see that the question presents three items separated by commas, look back to find the first item in the series not underlined.

Here, you find “standing” (verb), “looking” (verb) and then “relaxed”.

While “relaxed” in choice (B) is a verb, it does not match the form of the first two items.

Thus choice (B) is incorrect and should be “relaxing”.

SAT Writing: Comma Series with Verbs

Lesson Includes:

—Explanation of Comma Series with Verbs

—Sample Practice Questions

—Sample Practice Questions

COMMA SERIES WITH VERBS REVIEW QUIZ

 

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