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How to Solve Verb Questions (Subject Verb Agreement) for the New Digital SAT | TTA Guide
Understanding SAT Verb Questions for the NEW Digital SAT
Welcome to our guide on SAT verb questions! Let's explore the two main types of verb questions you'll encounter on the SAT.
Two Main Types of Verb Questions
The SAT focuses on two primary types of verb questions:
1. Subject-verb agreement: This concept answers the question "singular or plural?"
2. Verb tense: This concept answers the question "when?"
While some questions may test both concepts, it's crucial to understand them separately.
Subject-Verb Agreement: Key Points
Subject-verb agreement is about matching singular subjects with singular verbs, and plural subjects with plural verbs. Here's an important rule:
Verbs must agree with their subjects: singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
Let's examine an example that demonstrates this concept:
"The crystals of the geode sparkles in the sunlight, attracting collectors from around the world."
This sentence contains a disagreement between the subject and the verb. The subject "crystals" is plural, but the verb "sparkles" is singular. The singular noun "geode" appears immediately before the verb but is part of the prepositional phrase "of the geode" and doesn't affect the verb's number.
To correct this, we should use the plural verb "sparkle" instead of the singular "sparkles".
Verb Tense: Understanding Time in Grammar
Verb tense indicates whether an action occurs in the past, present, or future. Some students might instinctively change the tense of a verb to fix a sentence, but this approach doesn't always address the real issue.
In our geode example, changing "sparkles" to "sparkled" would make the sentence grammatically acceptable. However, it doesn't address the actual problem: the subject-verb disagreement.
Combining Concepts: A Challenging Example
Now, let's look at a more complex example that combines both concepts:
"Many avant-garde composers experiment with unconventional sounds and rhythms. For instance, the compositions of renowned musician Zara Nyx __ elements typically associated with industrial machinery and urban soundscapes."
Options: A) has incorporated, B) incorporates, C) have incorporated, D) having incorporated
The correct answer is C) have incorporated. The subject is "compositions" (plural), so we need a plural verb. Don't let "Zara Nyx" mislead you – she's not the subject in this sentence.
Notice that while the answers contain different tenses (present perfect in A and C, simple present in B, and present participle in D), the key to solving this question is identifying the correct subject-verb agreement.
Strategy for Tackling These Questions
If you can't immediately identify the error, follow these steps:
1. Examine the answer choices. If some contain singular verbs and others plural verbs, it's likely testing subject-verb agreement.
2. Identify the subject and determine if it's singular or plural. Remember, the noun right before the verb usually isn't the subject.
3. Choose the verb that agrees with the subject.
Remember, different tenses in answer choices often serve as a distraction. Focus on agreement first, then consider tense if necessary.
TTA Pro Tip
When dealing with subject-verb agreement questions, be extra cautious with sentences that have prepositional phrases between the subject and the verb. These phrases often contain nouns that can trick you into choosing the wrong verb form. Always identify the true subject of the sentence before selecting your answer.
Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement on the SAT
Subject-verb agreement is a crucial concept in SAT verb questions. You're likely to encounter at least one question testing this on your exam, so let's dive deeper into how these questions are constructed.
Key Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
For third-person singular (she/he/it/one) and plural (they) forms:
- Singular verbs end in -s (e.g., it makes)
- Plural verbs do not end in -s (e.g., they make)
Note: This is opposite to nouns, where -s usually indicates plural (e.g., book vs. books).
Regular and Irregular Verbs
| Subject | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | The scientist hypothesizes | The scientist hypothesize |
| Plural Simple | The scientists hypothesize | The scientists hypothesizes |
| Plural Compound | The scientist and her team hypothesize | The scientist and her team hypothesizes |
Irregular Verbs: "To be" and "To have"
| To be | To have | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Present | is | has |
| Plural Present | are | have |
| Singular Past | was | had |
| Plural Past | were | had |
Common Structures for Disguising Disagreements
A. Subject - Non-Essential Clause - Verb
In this structure, a non-essential clause is inserted between the subject and verb to distract from a disagreement.
Quantum computing, which promises to revolutionize data processing, are still in its early stages of development. (Incorrect)
Quantum computing, which promises to revolutionize data processing, is still in its early stages of development. (Correct)
B. Subject - Prepositional Phrase - Verb
Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb can distract from disagreements.
The impact of artificial intelligence on various industries are becoming increasingly apparent. (Incorrect)
The impact of artificial intelligence on various industries is becoming increasingly apparent. (Correct)
C. Verb Before Subject
Sometimes, the normal word order is reversed, placing the verb before the subject.
Among the breakthroughs in modern medicine was gene editing techniques that promise to cure genetic disorders. (Incorrect)
Among the breakthroughs in modern medicine were gene editing techniques that promise to cure genetic disorders. (Correct)
TTA Pro Tip
When tackling subject-verb agreement questions, always identify the true subject of the sentence. Don't let intervening phrases or clauses trick you. If you're unsure, try mentally removing the intervening elements to see the core sentence structure more clearly.
Advanced Subject-Verb Agreement Scenarios
D. Compound Subjects
A compound subject consists of two nouns (singular or plural) joined by "and". These subjects always take plural verbs.
Incorrect: Artificial intelligence and machine learning is transforming various industries.
Correct: Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming various industries.
E. "There is/are" Constructions
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| There is | There are |
| There was | There were |
| There has been | There have been |
Incorrect: There has been many advancements in renewable energy technology.
Correct: There have been many advancements in renewable energy technology.
F. Gerunds as Subjects
Gerunds (-ing words) acting as subjects take singular verbs.
Incorrect: Coding complex algorithms were once a task reserved for expert programmers.
Correct: Coding complex algorithms was once a task reserved for expert programmers.
G. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns (e.g., team, company, jury) are treated as singular on the SAT.
Incorrect: The research team have made significant progress in developing a COVID-19 vaccine.
Correct: The research team has made significant progress in developing a COVID-19 vaccine.
H. "That", "What", or "Whether" as Subjects
When these words act as subjects, they take singular verbs.
Correct: That nanotechnology will revolutionize medicine is a widely accepted prediction among scientists.
I. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns can take singular or plural verbs, depending on the pronoun.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
anyone, each, everyone, everything, nobody, nothing, someone
Plural Indefinite Pronouns
both, few, many, several
Singular or Plural (depends on context)
all, any, more, most, none, some
Incorrect: None of the experiments were successful in proving the hypothesis.
Correct: None of the experiments was successful in proving the hypothesis.
Tip: When indefinite pronouns are followed by prepositional phrases, don't let the noun in the phrase distract you from the true subject.
TTA Pro Tip
When dealing with complex subject-verb agreement scenarios, always identify the core subject and verb. Mentally remove any intervening phrases or clauses to see the basic structure more clearly. Remember, the SAT often uses these structures to create tricky questions, so stay vigilant!
Interactive Practice: Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement Example (Answers to the right)
When a fire burns red or green or blue, the color of its flames ______ the chemical composition of the combustible material.
Subject: the color
Prepositional Phrase: of its flames
Verb: (verb)
The subject "the color" is singular, so it requires a singular verb.
