SAT Grammar Rules: Subject-Verb Agreement & Verb Tense and Form
When it comes to the Reading and Writing section, nothing beats rock-solid grammar fundamentals. If you’ve ever stumbled over a sneaky pronoun or an oddly placed verb, don’t worry—these slip-ups happen to everyone. The good news is that a few clear pointers can help you tighten up your command of SAT standard English conventions and conquer those elusive SAT subject verb agreement pitfalls.
Below is a rundown of key grammar moves. We’ll start with simpler scenarios and move toward tougher ones so you can pace your study and feel more confident, step by step.
Subject-Verb Agreement (Easy Difficulty)
Subject-verb agreement is an essential part of SAT grammar rules. It seems straightforward—if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Yet many students rush and slip up even in simple cases.
- Identify the Subject First
Before you settle on a verb, figure out precisely who or what is doing the action. In a sentence like “The teacher speaks to the class,” the subject is “teacher,” which is singular, so we use “speaks” instead of “speak.” - Check for Plural
If your subject is plural (e.g., “The teachers speak …”), make sure the verb matches (no sneaky “-s” at the end). - Practice Tip
Jot down a few sentences and underline the subject. Then highlight the matching verb. This quick check is the key to sticking with correct SAT standard English conventions.
Verb Tense and Form: Consistent Tenses (Medium Difficulty)
Staying consistent with tenses is a game-changer for clarity. Some of the questions might feature a story that begins in the past and then flips to the present or future. Your job is to make sure every verb follows a clear timeline.
- Watch for Unintentional Swaps
“Yesterday, I studied French and learn new vocabulary” is jarring because it merges past (“studied”) with present (“learn”). Keep them parallel by sticking to one timeline: “Yesterday, I studied French and learned new vocabulary.” - Reflect the Context
If a sentence describes a routine or general truth, present tense often works best. If it describes a completed event, past tense fits.
Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Text (Hard Difficulty)
Here’s where SAT subject verb agreement really ramps up. You might see something like “The group of enthusiastic students is on time” or “The dancers, along with their coach, were rehearsing.” Lines like these test your focus.
- Ignore Intervening Phrases
The subject is often at the start, and a distracting phrase like “of enthusiastic students” might trick you into using a plural verb. If the core subject is “group” (which is singular), you need “is,” not “are.” - Appositives and Clauses
Sentences might add background info between commas: “The puppy, which is always eager to play with other dogs, runs in circles.” The subject is still “puppy,” so the singular verb “runs” stays put. - Mind the Details
This advanced rule appears frequently on the SAT, so treat it with respect. On test day, cover that phrase in the middle and read only the subject and verb to be sure they match.
Practical Strategies for the Digital SAT
- Highlight Key Elements: During practice, quickly highlight the subject and circle the verb. This helps you confirm agreement fast.
- Tense Awareness: Keep an eye on the timeline. If the paragraph starts in the past, stay there unless something signals a time jump.
- Adaptive Modules: The SAT’s new adaptive design means you’ll face grammar questions at varying difficulty levels. Consistent practice ensures you’re ready for anything.
Next Steps
Improving on SAT standard English conventions doesn’t have to be a slog. Focus on building a habit of checking subject-verb agreement carefully, reviewing irregular verbs regularly, and reading your sentences out loud when possible to catch tense errors.
You can also explore additional resources on our site, especially if you want to take a look at the grammar cheat sheet. The more you recognize those recurring trouble spots, the more naturally you’ll knock out tough questions.
Ultimately, mastering SAT subject verb agreement and smoothing out your verb tenses will earn you serious points on test day. Keep practicing, trust your instincts, and remember: a couple of extra seconds verifying each verb is worth it if it helps you avoid the big mistake many test-takers make—rushing through the grammar section. You’ve got this.
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