Must-Know SAT/PSAT Grammar Topic #1: Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is one of the most commonly tested grammar concepts on the SAT & PSAT. While the basic rule sounds simple—singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs—the SAT rarely tests it in straightforward sentences.
Instead, the College Board often hides the true subject inside long phrases, places distracting nouns next to the verb, or uses sentence structures designed to make students choose the wrong verb.
The good news is that once you know the common patterns, these questions become much easier to recognize.
In this guide, we'll cover the subject-verb agreement rules that appear most often on the SAT, along with the traps the College Board frequently uses to test them.
How Do You Know It's a Subject-Verb Agreement Question?
If the answer choices differ only in whether the verb is singular or plural (for example, is/are, has/have, or runs/run), you're most likely looking at a subject-verb agreement question. Your job is to identify the true subject—not the closest noun.
For example:
A. is
B. are
C. was
D. wereor
A. has
B. haveor
A. runs
B. run
4 steps to avoiding mistakes:
Find the verb.
Ask yourself: Who or what is performing this action?
Cross out everything that is not the subject.
Match the verb to the real subject—not the closest noun.
Easy Rule #1 (you probably already know): The Verb Must Match the Subject
Correct: The student is studying.
Correct: The students are studying.
| Singular | Plural |
| student is | students are |
| dog runs | dogs run |
| teacher has | teachers have |
Rule #2: Ignore Prepositional Phrases
The most common SAT trick.
Everything inside a prepositional phrase is NOT the subject.
Incorrect: The collection of books are valuable.
Correct: The collection of books is valuable.
Incorrect: The teacher with the green shoes live nearby.
Correct: The teacher with the green shoes lives nearby.
Subject: teacher
Ignore: with the green shoes
Rule #3: Ignore Interrupting Phrases
SAT loves placing extra information between the subject and verb.
Examples include:
along with
together with
as well as
including
accompanied by
in addition to
rather than
These do NOT make the subject plural.
Example
Incorrect: The principal, along with several teachers, are attending.
Correct: The principal, along with several teachers, is attending.
Subject: principal
Incorrect: Sarah, as well as her friends, were invited.
Correct: Sarah, as well as her friends, was invited.
Rule #4: Compound Subjects
Usually plural.
✅ Tom and Jerry are
✅ Reading and writing require practice.
Exception
When the two nouns refer to one thing or one unit, use a singular verb.
✅ Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite lunch.
“Peanut butter and jelly” = one thing
✅ Macaroni and cheese is delicious.
“Macaroni and cheese” = one thing
Rule #5: Either...Or / Neither...Nor
The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Examples
Either the students or the teacher is speaking.
Either the teacher or the students are speaking.
Neither the dogs nor the cat is hungry.
Neither the cat nor the dogs are hungry.
Tip!
Always look at the noun immediately before the verb.
Rule #6: Indefinite Pronoun- Always Singular.
What is an indefinite pronoun?
each
every
everyone
everybody
everything
anyone
anybody
anything
someone
somebody
something
no one
nobody
neither
either
one
Example
Each of the students is prepared.
Everyone has arrived.
Neither of the answers is correct.
What is a relative clause?
Rule #7: Collective Nouns
team
committee
audience
family
class
group
jury
staff
On the SAT, treat these as singular unless the sentence clearly emphasizes individual members acting separately.
Examples
The team is winning.
The committee meets every Friday.
The audience was silent.
Rule #8: Here and There Sentences
The subject comes after the verb.
Examples
There are three cookies.
There is a problem.
Here comes the bus.
Do not assume "there" is the subject. Always look after the verb to find the true subject, then match the verb to that noun.
Rule #9: Titles, Subjects, and Measurements
Even if they contain plural words, they can be singular.
Examples
The Chronicles of Narniais a classic.
Mathematics is difficult.
Five dollars is enough.
Ten miles is too far.
Rule #10: Plural-Looking Singular Nouns
Some nouns end in -s but are singular.
Examples
news
physics
economics
politics
mathematics
Examples
The news is surprising.
Physics is fascinating.
Economics has changed dramatically.
Rule #11: Don't Be Fooled by Relative Clauses
What is a relative clause?
A relative clause is a clause that describes or gives more information about a noun. It usually begins with a relative pronoun:
who (people)
whom (people, object)
whose (possession)
which (things)
that (people or things, usually in essential clauses)
Don’t be fooled by these!!!
Ignore information beginning with who, which, or that when identifying the subject.
Example
The scientist who discovered the fossil was honored.
Subject: scientist
Ignore: who discovered the fossil
Another example
The cars that were parked outside belong to the guests.
Subject: cars
Ignore: that were parked outside
Final Thoughts
Subject-verb agreement questions on the SAT aren't designed to test whether you know the difference between is and are—they're designed to see whether you can identify the real subject of a sentence.
Whenever you encounter a subject-verb agreement question, ignore the distracting words and focus on the noun that actually controls the verb. Prepositional phrases, interrupting phrases, and relative clauses are all common SAT traps meant to pull your attention away from the true subject.
Once you develop the habit of finding the subject first and matching the verb second, these questions become much more predictable—and much easier to answer consistently.
About the Author
Kim is the founder and lead instructor of MetaPrep. A University of Virginia graduate with over 10 years of instruction experience, she specializes in Digital SAT and PSAT preparation, focusing on strategic problem-solving, pattern recognition, and individualized student support.
