SAT Subject Verb Agreement Questions: Tips and Strategies
The SAT is a standardized test that assesses a student`s readiness for college. One critical component of the SAT Writing and Language section is subject-verb agreement. Subject-verb agreement means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number, which means they must both be singular or both be plural. Incorrect subject-verb agreement can result in awkward sentences that are confusing to read and can negatively impact a student`s SAT score. This article will provide tips and strategies to help students master subject-verb agreement questions on the SAT.
Understand the Rules
The first step to mastering subject-verb agreement questions is to understand the rules. Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. This seems simple enough, but tricky words like „either” and „neither” can trip up even the best writers. For example, „Neither the dog nor the cat (is/are) going to the park?” The correct answer is „is” because „neither” is a singular subject.
Pay Attention to Intervening Phrases
Intervening phrases can confuse subject-verb agreement. For example, „The boy, along with his friends, (run/runs) to the store.” The correct answer is „runs” because „the boy” is the subject and is singular, while „his friends” is an intervening phrase and should be ignored.
Watch Out for Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are singular nouns that refer to a group of people, animals, or things. For example, „The team (has/have) won three games this season.” The correct answer is „has” because „team” is a singular collective noun.
Practice, Practice, Practice
The best way to master subject-verb agreement questions is to practice. Take practice tests, use online resources, and read plenty of well-written English. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement whenever you read or write, and you`ll be better prepared for the SAT.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement questions are an essential part of the SAT Writing and Language section. To master these questions, students must understand the rules, pay attention to intervening phrases, watch out for collective nouns, and practice, practice, practice. With these tips and strategies, students can confidently tackle subject-verb agreement questions and improve their overall SAT score.