SAT Writing : Identifying Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #554 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The book of fairy tales are one of the grandfather's favorite books to read to his grandchildren before they fall asleep at night. No error
grandchildren
asleep
No error
books
are
are
The subject, "the book of fairy tales" is singular, as the phrase refers to a single book. The fact that there are multiple "tales" within the book does not make the subject plural. The corresponding verb in this case should be "is," not "are."
Example Question #61 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The teacher did not realize that each one of his twenty students need a green marker for the exam. No error
The
exam.
No error
realize
need
need
The word "need" refers to "each one" of the students. "Each one" is singular, and thus, the form "needs" is appropriate, even though the existence of twenty students may be misleading. "Needed" would be the correct replacement for this sentence.
Example Question #63 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
"Our choices have led us to this fell point," he said, looking around, "and now we've no choices remained." No error
we've
have led
remained
fell
No error
remained
This sentence includes several tricky word usages, but only one underlined choice is actually incorrect. "Have led" is an entirely legitimate use of the perfect present tense: the choices the speaker has made over time led up to this moment. "Fell" is used here in an unusual adjective form, which means "fierce, cruel, or terrible." "We've" is momentarily tempting, since we're used to seeing "we've" used in perfect tenses, and points to the correct answer because "we've no choices remained" sounds strange. Expanding the contraction, however, clarifies the meaning: restating it as "we have no choices remained" makes it clearer that "remained" should be "remaining."
Example Question #1112 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many students have trouble learning the order of operations in math, which have led to the creation of many mnemonic devices to help them remember it. No error
many mnemonic devices
math, which
Many students have
No error
have led to
have led to
"Have led" refers to "the order of operations," or more specifically, "order," a singular noun. "Have" is a verb that is used with plural nouns, so it does not agree with the singular "order." To fix the sentence, "have" would need to be changed to "has."
Example Question #1113 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We have all been taught that dinosaurs is a types of reptile that went extinct a long time ago. No error
No error
that
have all been
dinosaurs
is a
is a
"Dinosaurs" is in its plural form, and needs to be accompanied by a verb also in the plural form. Thus, "is a" contains the sentence's error, and should be changed to "are."
Example Question #62 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
The bald eagle, a symbol of American freedom and justice, are no longer considered to be threatened.
and
are
No error
symbol of
considered to be
are
The verb “are” does not agree in number with its singular subject “bald eagle.” The corrected sentence reads: The bald eagle, a symbol of American freedom and justice, is no longer considered to be threatened.
Example Question #63 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
The embellished facades in the city’s downtown is a major attraction for tourists from around the world.
No error
embellished
city's
around the world
is
is
The verb “is” does not match in number with the subject “facades.” The corrected sentence reads: The embellished facades in the city’s downtown are a major attraction for tourists from around the world.
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