Subject–verb agreement
SAT glossary · Reading & Writing
Definition
A verb must match its subject in number. The test hides the subject behind intervening phrases so a plural noun near the verb tempts a plural verb when the true subject is singular.
Subject–verb agreement in plain English
Subject-verb agreement means the verb in a sentence has to match its subject in NUMBER — a singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb. This test loves to hide the TRUE subject behind other descriptive phrases sitting in between the subject and its verb — so a plural noun sitting right next to the verb might tempt you into using a plural verb, even when the REAL subject (buried earlier in the sentence) is actually singular.
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