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The Secret Hack for Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement is about making sure the verb of a sentence matches its subject. It is all about avoiding errors like "they is happy" or "he drive fast." Don't confuse this with "verb tense," which is about choosing past versus present tense!

Recognizing It

Getting Subject-Verb Agreement questions right on the SAT is about spotting patterns fast. You need to quickly identify whether a question is truly Subject-Verb Agreement or something else.

How to Recognize: The answers include a mix of singular and plural verbs.

But how do I know if a verb is singular or plural...or neither? That's right, some verbs work with both singular and plural subjects.

TRICK: To identify whether a verb is singular or plural, put the pronouns "it" and "they" before the verb.

  • If "it" sounds better, the verb is singular.
  • If "they" sounds better, the verb is plural.
  • If "it" and "they" both work (or neither does!), the verb is neutral. In that case, this question is likely not a Subject-Verb Agreement question at all (although there are rare exceptions).
Singular ("it...")Plural ("they...")Neutral
isareto be
waswerebeing
has jumpedhave jumpedhad jumped
is jumpingare jumpingjumping
jumpsjumpjumped

Important:

  • For two-word verbs, such as "is jumping" or "has jumped" we should focus on the first word only. The verb "is" or "has" tells us this form is singular.
  • All singular verbs end in "s." So "jumps" is a singular verb and "jump" is a plural verb. Don't be confused, nouns work the opposite way! "Table" is a singular noun and "tables" is a plural noun. Crazy, right?

The Secret Hack: 3/1 Split

The most important trick for these questions is what we call the “3/1 Split”:
  • If there are three plural verbs and one singular verb, choose the singular.
  • If there are three singular verbs and one plural verb, choose the plural.
In other words, the one that's not like the others is almost always right!

This trick works because the SAT likes to test one grammar skill at a time. So, if the question is testing only Subject-Verb Agreement, only one verb will match the subject correctly. But tests evolve, so we recommend that you consider the "3/1 Split" as a guide and use your grammatical understanding to double-check the answer.

Before we work on that, however, let's use the "3/1 split" to make a really hard question really easy:

Example SAT Problem

SAT question: In the 1940s, Alice E. Kober analyzed the symbols in Linear B, an undeciphered Aegean script, and isolated recurring suffixal patterns that suggested inflectional grammar. In particular, her analysis of clay tablet inscriptions from Knossos, a Bronze Age palace complex in Heraklion, Greece, known for its well-preserved administrative records (primarily lists of food supplies, transactions, and labor assignments), ______ instrumental in enabling the script's eventual decipherment. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) have been, B) are, C) was, D) were.

Explanation

3/1 Split
Ⓐ they have beenplural
Ⓑ they areplural
Ⓒ it was✅ only singular, so almost definitely correct
Ⓓ they wereplural

Ideally, we can double-check using grammar rules to confirm that "her analysis" is a singular subject, so indeed, it needs a singular verb. (See "Comma Interrupters" and "Prepositional Phrases" below.) The answer is C.

But what if there isn't a 3/1 Split? Or you want to double-check your answer? Or you're a great student so you want to actually understand the grammar?

Let's learn the 6 Subject-Verb Agreement types that the SAT tests:

#1 Adjacent Subject

When the subject is directly next to the verb, these are the fastest to solve. Simply match it up:

singular subject → singular verb

plural subject → plural verb

Example SAT Problem

SAT question: Haute cuisine emerged in the aristocratic courts of France, where precise technique and refined presentation were considered marks of cultural sophistication. One tool that helped shape this tradition of delicate preparation is the bain-marie. The bain-marie ______ a heated water bath that maintains a gentle, even cooking temperature around the delicate dishes or containers placed inside it. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) were, B) are, C) is, D) have been.

Explanation

3/1 Split
Ⓐ they wereplural
Ⓑ they areplural
Ⓒ it is✅ only singular, so almost surely correct
Ⓓ they have beenplural
  1. Find the subject. Ask yourself: What "is/are" a heated water bath? Well, it's the word right next to the verb: the bain-marie. That's our subject! We might not know immediately if this strange word is singular or plural, but let's look at the context. The paragraph defines it as "one tool" and "a heated water bath," so it certainly sounds singular!
  2. Singular subjects need singular verbs. The only singular verb is C.

#2 Comma Interrupters

A comma interrupter is a phrase set off by commas between the subject and verb. The SAT loves to hide the real subject this way.

Method

  1. Ignore the interrupter. Cross it out mentally.
  2. Link the subject before the interrupter to the verb after the interrupter. Don’t let words inside the interrupter confuse you.

Example SAT Problem

SAT question: The Latin America Bioimaging (LABI) Meeting, an annual gathering focused on advancing microscopy and image analysis, ______ the regional microscopy community by creating opportunities for early-career researchers to forge collaborations and access research facilities. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) have supported, B) are supporting, C) supports, D) support.

Explanation

3/1 Split
Ⓐ they have supportedplural
Ⓑ they are supportingplural
Ⓒ it supports✅ only singular, so very likely correct
Ⓓ they supportplural
  1. Verify: The comma interrupter is the phrase "an annual gathering focused on advancing microscopy and image analysis in Latin America." If we pull that out, we are left with "The LABI Meeting" as the subject.
  2. The LABI Meeting is singular, so it matches the singular "supports." Thus, the "3/1 Split" pushed us in the right direction. The answer is C.

#3 Prepositional Phrases and Other Modifiers

The SAT also likes to hide subjects by pairing them with a bunch of confusing prepositional phrases. For example, in the clause "the class of students has returned," the correct subject is "class" not "students" because "of students” is a prepositional phrase defining the "class." When checking Subject-Verb Agreement, we ignore prepositional phrases (with rare exceptions). Thus, the singular verb "has returned" agrees with the singular "class", not the plural "students."

Prepositional phrases act as modifiers in these examples, and we also ignore other modifiers the same way. For example, in the clause "the class visiting the museums has returned," "the class" would still be the subject because "visiting the museums" is an -ing modifier that we ignore.

Method

  1. Cross out the prepositional phrase or other modifier.
  2. Identify the core subject and match it to the verb.

Example SAT Problem

SAT question: The ornithologist Pamela C. Rasmussen's studies of the South American seabird population ______ the focus of her early work; however, she later gained fame as the author of Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) is, B) were, C) was, D) has been.

Explanation

3/1 Split
Ⓐ it issingular
Ⓑ they were✅ only plural, so almost definitely correct
Ⓒ it wassingular
Ⓓ it has beensingular
  1. Verify: There is one prepositional phrase here to cross out: "of the South American seabird population." Which means the subject is "The ornithologist Pamela C. Rasmussen's studies."
  2. "Studies" is plural so it matches with the plural "were." So, the "3/1 Split" pointed to the right answer. The answer is B.

#4 Relative Pronouns

Words like who, which, and that are usually relative pronouns when they appear on the test. Any verb that comes after a relative pronoun should agree with the noun/pronoun phrase immediately before the relative pronoun (even though that noun/pronoun phrase is often not the main subject of the sentence). For example: "The man eats the pizzas, which are already cold." Here, the singular main subject is "The man" and the singular main verb is "eats." But the relative pronoun clause "which are already cold" describes the plural "pizzas," so we use "are" instead of "is" as the second verb in the sentence.

Method

  1. Identify the noun/pronoun phrase immediately before the “who” / “which” / “that.”
  2. Make sure the verb agrees with that noun, not necessarily the main subject of the sentence.

Example SAT Problem

SAT question: Polymer composites are strengthened by fibers embedded in the polymer matrix, but some also possess capabilities that enable them to seal and mend tiny fractures known as microcracks. Researcher Scott R. White has detailed how the rupture of a microcapsule in a composite releases a liquid healing agent that polymerizes to repair cracks that ______ the material. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) compromise, B) compromises, C) is compromising, D) has compromised.

Explanation

3/1 Split
Ⓐ they compromise✅ only plural, so almost certainly correct
Ⓑ it compromisessingular
Ⓒ it is compromisingsingular
Ⓓ it has compromisedsingular
  1. Verify: We see a relative pronoun "that" immediately before the verb, so the subject will be the noun/pronoun phrase immediately before the relative pronoun. In this case, that refers to "cracks."
  2. Yes, "cracks" is plural so it matches the plural "compromise." Once again, the "3/1 Split" trick worked. The answer is A.

#5 Gerunds

Gerunds — verbs ending in -ing used as nouns — are always singular (unless there are two or more of them).

Running is fun. ✅

Running are fun. ❌

Running and jumping are fun. ✅

Method

  1. Recognize the gerund functioning as the subject.
  2. Use a singular verb.

Example SAT Problem

SAT question: The recent recognition of 62 additional moons in Saturn's orbit brings the planet's total number of moons to 145, the most in the solar system. According to Bonnie Buratti of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, studying these moons ______ important clues in the ongoing search for answers about the solar system's origins. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) provide, B) provides, C) have been providing, D) have provided.

Explanation

3/1 Split
Ⓐ they provideplural
Ⓑ it provides✅ only singular, so almost certainly correct
Ⓒ they have been providingplural
Ⓓ they have providedplural
  1. Verify: We see the main subject is “studying these moons” (not the moons themselves).
  2. Because “studying” is a gerund (-ing word), it is singular, which matches the singular “provides.” Thanks, “3/1 Split”! The answer is B.

#6 Inverted Sentences

Normally, subjects come before verbs, but in inverted sentences, the verb comes before the subject. Confusing! There are 4 common varieties to look out for:

The clause starts with "there", "here," or question words.

  • ex: There are many books on the shelf.
  • ✅ (subject = books)

The clause starts with a prepositional phrase without a comma.

  • ex: In the school are many students.
  • ✅ (subject = many students)

The clause starts with an -ing/-ed or other modifier without a comma.

  • ex: Rising above the trees is the sun.
  • ✅ (subject = the sun)

The verb "to do" follows a comparison.

  • ex: The pillow smells bad, as do the sheets.
  • ✅ (subject = the sheets)

Method

  1. Find the real subject or subjects, which come after the verb.
  2. Match number accordingly.

Example SAT Problem

SAT question: Available through the community library ______ a catalog of historical archives and a list of local research organizations that offer resources for scholars in search of primary documents. Answer choices: A) has been, B) is being, C) is, D) are.

Explanation

3/1 Split
Ⓐ it has beensingular
Ⓑ it is beingsingular
Ⓒ it issingular
Ⓓ they are✅ only plural, so almost definitely correct
  1. Verify: Because this sentence begins with a descriptive phrase known as a modifier ("Available through the community library"), it is an inverted sentence. The main subject comes after the verb: "a catalog of historical archives AND a list of local research organizations."
  2. The subject is plural because it is compound (two things joined by "and"), so it matches the plural "are." The "3/1 Split" worked. The answer is D.

Final Thoughts: Strategy Meets Recognition

Subject-Verb Agreement is one of the most common grammar topics on the SAT.

  • Use the 3/1 split to eliminate wrong answers fast.
  • Verify by identifying the subject (especially with interrupters and modifiers).
  • Distinguish Subject-Verb Agreement questions from tense, infinitives, and other verb forms.
  • Practice systematically — because once you see these patterns, they become automatic.

👉 Want targeted practice? Our free Subject-Verb Agreement question bank has many realistic SAT-style Subject-Verb Agreement problems so you can lock in these skills.