As a copy editor, one of the key aspects of my job is ensuring proper grammar usage, including subject-verb agreement. In this article, I will be focusing specifically on SAT subject-verb agreement rules.
The SAT is a standardized test that assesses a student’s readiness for college. One of the key components of the SAT is the Writing and Language test, which evaluates a student’s ability to recognize and correct errors in grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. To perform well on this section, it’s crucial to have a good understanding of subject-verb agreement rules.
Subject-verb agreement refers to the way in which the subject and verb of a sentence must correspond in number. In other words, a singular subject must be paired with a singular verb, and a plural subject must be paired with a plural verb. Below are some key SAT subject-verb agreement rules to keep in mind.
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs
A singular subject refers to a single person, place, or thing. For example, “The cat” is a singular subject. When paired with a verb, it must take a singular verb, such as “runs” or “sits.”
2. Plural subjects take plural verbs
A plural subject refers to multiple people, places, or things. For example, “The cats” is a plural subject. When paired with a verb, it must take a plural verb, such as “run” or “sit.”
3. “And” usually requires a plural verb
When “and” is used to connect two subjects, it usually requires a plural verb. For example, “The cat and the dog run” is correct, while “The cat and the dog runs” is not.
4. “Or” and “nor” require singular verbs
When “or” and “nor” are used to connect two subjects, the verb that follows must be singular. For example, “Neither the cat nor the dog is happy” is correct, while “Neither the cat nor the dog are happy” is not.
5. Indefinite pronouns often require singular verbs
Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “someone,” and “anyone,” usually require a singular verb. For example, “Everyone is here” is correct, while “Everyone are here” is not.
6. Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs
Collective nouns, such as “team,” “family,” and “audience,” can take either a singular or plural verb, depending on the context. For example, “The team is playing well” and “The team are arguing” are both correct.
By keeping these SAT subject-verb agreement rules in mind, you can improve your performance on the Writing and Language test and ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and clear. As a copy editor, I know how important it is to pay attention to such details, and I hope this article has helped you do the same.