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subject verb agreement

kristin fracchia
lesson by kristin fracchia
magoosh expert
summary
understanding subject-verb agreement is crucial for tackling one of the most common error types on the act exam, with strategies focusing on identifying the true subject amidst distracting elements and recognizing subject-verb inversion.
  • the subject may not be directly in front of the verb, often obscured by prepositional phrases or subordinate clauses.
  • prepositional phrases and subordinate clauses can mislead the test-taker's 'ear' for grammar, making it essential to mentally restructure sentences to find the true subject.
  • subject-verb inversion, where the subject follows the verb, presents a unique challenge, requiring test-takers to adjust their approach to identify the correct verb form.
  • practical examples illustrate common pitfalls and demonstrate strategies for correctly identifying subject-verb agreement in complex sentences.
  • test-takers are advised to mentally 'bracket off' distracting phrases and to 'flip' sentences to better understand the correct form of the verb.
chapters
00:00
identifying the true subject
00:34
navigating prepositional and subordinate clauses
04:53
subject-verb inversion