SAT Writing : Identifying Agreement Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #33 : 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.
My doctor told me to spend more time gardening, watching movies, and playing board games, because doing things that make me feel good are actually good for my health. No error
actually good
playing
are
feel good
No error
are
The subject here is the singular gerund (verbal noun) "doing"—not the plural noun "things." Thus, the main verb should be the singular—"is," not "are."
Example Question #35 : 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.
A spread, such as honey or syrup, are often used to sweeten pancakes and give them more flavor. No error
are often
them
or
No error
sweeten
are often
The subject of the sentence is "spread," which is being used as a singular noun; however, the sentence's verb, "are," agrees with plural nouns, not singular ones. To correct the sentence's error, "are" should be changed to "is."
Example Question #31 : Identifying 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.
Massage and physical therapy helps to alleviate pain for many individuals who otherwise would suffer chronically from their conditions. No error
No error
would
helps
from
for
helps
The subject in this sentece is "Massage and physical therapy." Because the sentence's subject consists of multiple nouns connected by the conjunction "and," it is a compound subject; compound subjects take plural verbs, so "helps," which agrees with singular nouns, is incorrect. The corresponding verb should be "help," not "helps."
Example Question #32 : Identifying 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 politician, along with his many constituents, are opposed to the new reforms being enacted by the government. No error
No error
constituents, are
along with
opposed to
being enacted
constituents, are
It is easy to think that the verb "are" refers to "constituents," but in this case ("The politician, along with his many constituents, are . . ."), the verb refers back to "politician," since "along with his many constituents" is a prepositional phrase. So, the plural verb "are" is incorrect since it refers to the singular "politician," and should be replaced with the singular verb "is." The corrected sentence reads, "The politician, along with his many constituents, is opposed to the new reforms being enacted by the government."
Example Question #41 : 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.
While I don't mind training on the school track, running on trails in our town's local parks are my favorite workout. No error
No error
are
on
in our town's
While
are
Don't be confused here by the plural nouns "trails" and "parks"—neither of these is the subject of the sentence's main clause; they merely add information about the subject. "Running," may initially seem to be a verb, but here it is functioning as a gerund, a verbal ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun. As such, it is a singular subject and needs to take the singular verb "is," making "are" incorrect.
Example Question #42 : 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.
Rabbits spend more time caring for their young than does other types of rodents such as hamsters and gerbils. No error
such as
No error
than does
spend
caring
than does
The verb "does" is used with singular nouns, but in the sentence as it is written, it refers to "types," a plural noun. To correct the sentence's error, we would need to change "does" to "do," or omit "do" completely, as just the "than" is sufficient to make the comparison.
Example Question #42 : 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 two families developed their farms in friendly competition and eventually became the leader of the region’s dairy production. No error
No error
the region's dairy production
their
the leader
friendly
the leader
This sentence is about two families (plural) that are successful. The sentence has them becoming the leader (singular) in the region. This discrepancy in number is an error. The corrected sentence reads: The two families developed their farms in friendly competition and eventually became the leaders of the region’s dairy production.
Example Question #1082 : 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.
Unfamiliar customs and a sharp intelligence is intimidating, but a good sense of humor is very disarming. No error
but
No error
Unfamiliar
very disarming
is
is
This sentence lacks agreement between subject and verb. “Is” corresponds with a singular subject, but here the subject is plural. The corrected sentence reads: Unfamiliar customs and a sharp intelligence are intimidating, but a good sense of humor is very disarming.
Example Question #43 : 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 cans of paint, although seemingly light, was too heavy for me to move to the corner of the room where they wouldn't be in anyone's way. No error
although
No error
wouldn't
was
anyone's
was
People get these kinds of questions wrong because of the phrase set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. That little seperation between the first and second part of the sentence is a distraction to subject-verb agreement. When read quickly, it may seem like "paint," which is singular, is the subject. The real subject, however, is "cans." This means our verb has to agree with a plural noun, and so "was" contains the error, because "was" should be "were."
Example Question #44 : 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 closet of shoes are hard to open; the door has swollen due to the massive amount of rain this spring. No error
has swollen
are
this
No error
closet
are
This question tries to confuse you by putting "shoes" after "closet." "Are" should be "is" as "closet" is the subject of the verb.
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