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Subject Verb Agreement



Summary
Understanding subject-verb agreement is crucial for tackling one of the most common error types on the GRE test, with strategies focusing on identifying the true subject amidst distracting elements and handling subject-verb inversion.
  • The subject may not be directly in front of the verb, often obscured by prepositional phrases or subordinate clauses.
  • Identifying the true subject requires looking beyond intervening plural or singular nouns and focusing on the core noun the verb should agree with.
  • Prepositional phrases and subordinate clauses set off by commas can mislead the ear, but bracketing them off helps in identifying the subject.
  • Subject-verb inversion presents a unique challenge, with the subject following the verb, necessitating a reordering of the sentence for clarity.
  • Practical examples illustrate common pitfalls and strategies for correct subject-verb agreement, emphasizing the importance of understanding the structure of sentences.
Chapters
00:16
Identifying the True Subject
01:34
Navigating Prepositional Phrases and Subordinate Clauses
04:53
Understanding Subject-Verb Inversion
06:16
Recap and Strategy Overview