Quick Answer
The colon is a punctuation mark used on the Digital SAT primarily to introduce lists, explanations, or emphasis. In the Reading and Writing section, 'Boundaries' questions frequently test this mark. A colon must follow a complete independent clause, a specific rule that distinguishes it from other punctuation marks in standard English conventions.
A colon (:) is a punctuation mark used to indicate that what follows provides further information about, or a list of, what preceded it. The fundamental grammar rule for the SAT is that the text preceding the colon must be an independent clause, regardless of whether the following text is a word, phrase, or sentence.
Question: The researcher identified the primary cause of the chemical reaction [ ]: an unexpected increase in ambient temperature. (A) reaction; (B) reaction, (C) reaction: (D) reaction. Solution: The correct answer is (C). 'The researcher identified the primary cause of the chemical reaction' is an independent clause. The phrase 'an unexpected increase in ambient temperature' explains the cause. A colon is the appropriate mark to introduce this explanation.
Using a colon after an incomplete thought: Students often place colons after verbs like 'including' or 'are,' even though the preceding phrase cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Confusing colons with semicolons: Students mistakenly believe colons and semicolons are interchangeable, but a colon introduces information while a semicolon typically connects two related independent clauses.
Over-reliance on lists: Many students assume colons can only introduce lists, failing to recognize their use for introducing single words or explanatory phrases for emphasis.
Students targeting 750+ should know that the SAT often uses a colon to introduce a second independent clause that explains or illustrates the first. While a semicolon or a period would also be grammatically correct in these instances, the colon is specifically used when the second clause functions as a direct elaboration or definition of the first.
Appositive
An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. On the Digital SAT, these frequently appear in the Standard English Conventions questions of the Reading and Writing section. Mastery of appositives is essential, as they typically appear in approximately 10-15% of punctuation-based questions.
Comma Splice
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a comma without a conjunction. On the Digital SAT, this error is frequently tested within the 'Boundaries' question type in the Reading and Writing section. Students must identify these mistakes to ensure sentences are punctuated according to Standard English Conventions.
Em Dash
The em dash is a versatile punctuation mark on the Digital SAT used primarily to set off nonessential information or provide emphasis. Frequently appearing in the Reading and Writing section under Standard English Conventions, it functions similarly to commas or parentheses when used in pairs to isolate parenthetical phrases.
Independent Clause
An independent clause is a grammatical unit that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. On the Digital SAT, this concept is frequently tested in the Reading and Writing section, particularly within Standard English Conventions questions. Students must often distinguish between independent and dependent clauses to avoid punctuation errors like comma splices.
Semicolon
A semicolon is a punctuation mark used on the Digital SAT to link two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. Appearing frequently in the Reading and Writing section under 'Standard English Conventions,' it typically tests a student's ability to identify complete sentences and avoid comma splices or run-on sentences in 'Boundaries' questions.
A colon is a punctuation mark tested in the Reading and Writing section of the Digital SAT to signal an explanation or list. It is used to connect an independent clause to a following element that defines or elaborates on it. Mastery of the colon is essential for 'Boundaries' questions, which evaluate a student's grasp of standard English conventions and sentence structure.
To use a colon correctly on the Digital SAT, ensure that the text before the colon is a complete independent clause. This means the lead-in must have a subject and a verb and express a complete thought. The text after the colon can be a list, a single word, a phrase, or even another independent clause, as long as it elaborates on the first.
The main difference between a colon and a semicolon lies in the requirement of the following text. A semicolon must be preceded and followed by independent clauses that are closely related. In contrast, a colon must be preceded by an independent clause, but it can be followed by a list, a fragment, or a single word that explains the preceding statement.
While the exact number varies by test form, students can typically expect to see approximately 2 to 4 questions involving colons on the Digital SAT. These usually appear in the 'Standard English Conventions' portion of the Reading and Writing modules. Because they often appear alongside semicolons and dashes, understanding their specific rules is vital for scoring high.
