Subject–Verb Agreement
SAT Reading & WritingStandard English ConventionsFoundation
Match the verb to the true subject, even when distracting phrases intervene.
What you need to know
- A singular subject takes a singular present-tense verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.
- Prepositional phrases usually do not change the subject’s number.
- Compound subjects joined by and are usually plural.
- With either/or and neither/nor, the nearer subject often controls agreement.
The AYLOTI method
- Cross out interrupting prepositional phrases.
- Locate the true subject.
- Decide whether it is singular or plural.
- Match the verb and reread the complete sentence.
AYLOTI • Sir Hunain Zia • SAT Score 1594/1600 • 154 Total A Grades (Personal), 11 World Records, 7 Distinctions
Worked example
The collection of rare photographs ___ stored underground. Choose is or are.
- “Of rare photographs” is a prepositional phrase.
- The subject is collection.
- Collection is singular.
Answer: “The collection of rare photographs is stored underground.”
Common SAT traps
- Matching the verb to the nearest noun.
- Treating each/every as plural.
- Missing an inverted subject after there is/there are.
Quick check
Choose: “Each of the proposals is/are reviewed.”
“Is,” because the subject “each” is singular.
Before you move on
- Explain the core rule without looking back.
- Redo the worked example using your own steps.
- Write the trap you are most likely to fall for.
