Subject-Verb Agreement TRICKS [SAT/ACT 2021] PART 1

Updated: November 19, 2024

Seberson Method


Summary

The video delves into the significance of mastering subject-verb agreement for the SAT and ACT exams, emphasizing how these questions can impact writing scores. It provides guidance on identifying subjects and verbs in sentences, stressing the importance of matching verb form with subject number. With examples and strategies, the video highlights the challenges posed by prepositional phrases and additional clauses in subject-verb agreement questions, offering practice opportunities to refine skills in tackling complex sentence structures.


Introduction to Subject-Verb Agreement

Explanation of the importance of understanding subject-verb agreement on the SAT and ACT exams. Overview of how the SAT and ACT make subject-verb agreement questions complex. Description of the impact of these questions on the total writing score.

Identifying Subjects and Verbs

Guidance on identifying subjects and verbs in sentences. Explanation of how to match the form of the verb with the subject's number (singular or plural). Introduction to testing knowledge of identifying subjects through examples and pronoun replacements.

Introduction of Fluff in Sentences

Discussion on how prepositional phrases, relative clauses, and additional phrases can complicate subject-verb agreement. Examples provided to illustrate how fluff can mislead in determining the correct subject for the verb.

Subject-Verb Agreement Challenges

Challenges presented by the SAT and ACT in subject-verb agreement questions. Explanation of how inserting additional phrases between the subject and verb can cause confusion. Examples given to demonstrate the difficulties in identifying the subject for the verb.

More Examples and Practice

Additional examples provided to practice subject-verb agreement. Detailed explanations on identifying subjects and selecting the correct form of the verb to match the subject's number. Further guidance on tackling complex subject-verb agreement questions.

Advanced Examples and Strategies

Advanced examples presented to enhance understanding of subject-verb agreement challenges. Strategies for navigating complex sentences with prepositional phrases and separating subjects from verbs. Practice opportunities to refine skills in subject-verb agreement.


FAQ

Q: What is the importance of understanding subject-verb agreement on the SAT and ACT exams?

A: Understanding subject-verb agreement is crucial on the SAT and ACT exams as it affects the grammatical correctness of sentences, which is a key aspect of the writing sections.

Q: How do the SAT and ACT make subject-verb agreement questions complex?

A: The SAT and ACT make subject-verb agreement questions complex by introducing various grammatical structures, such as prepositional phrases and relative clauses, that can obscure the relationship between subjects and verbs.

Q: What is the impact of subject-verb agreement questions on the total writing score?

A: Subject-verb agreement questions have a significant impact on the total writing score as they directly assess the test-taker's ability to recognize and apply proper grammar rules.

Q: How can one identify subjects and verbs in sentences?

A: Subjects are the nouns or pronouns that perform the action in a sentence, while verbs are the action or state of being. Identifying the subject and verb helps in ensuring their agreement.

Q: Why is it important to match the form of the verb with the subject's number (singular or plural)?

A: Matching the form of the verb with the subject's number is crucial for maintaining subject-verb agreement, which is essential for sentence clarity and grammatical correctness.

Q: How do prepositional phrases, relative clauses, and additional phrases complicate subject-verb agreement?

A: These elements complicate subject-verb agreement by introducing additional words that may mislead in identifying the true subject, leading to errors in subject-verb agreement.

Q: What challenges are presented by the SAT and ACT in subject-verb agreement questions?

A: The SAT and ACT present challenges in subject-verb agreement by using deceptive sentence structures and distracting phrases that make it difficult to determine the correct subject for the verb.

Q: How does inserting additional phrases between the subject and verb cause confusion?

A: Inserting additional phrases between the subject and verb can cause confusion by disrupting the direct relationship between the subject and verb, leading to errors in subject-verb agreement.

Q: Why is identifying the subject for the verb important in subject-verb agreement questions?

A: Identifying the subject for the verb is crucial as it determines the correct form of the verb to use, ensuring proper subject-verb agreement and grammatical accuracy.

Q: What are some strategies for navigating complex sentences with prepositional phrases and separating subjects from verbs?

A: Strategies include isolating the subject and verb, disregarding irrelevant information, and focusing on the core subject-verb relationship to clarify complex sentences with intervening phrases.

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