Verb Questions
The Digital SAT tests your knowledge of verbs through three main question types:
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Verb Tenses/Aspect
- Verb Forms (Finite, Infinite, Participle)
Subject-Verb Agreement
Rule: The subject and verb must agree in number.
- Singular Subject: Takes a singular verb.
Example: Ahmad plays football.
- Plural Subject: Takes a plural verb.
Example: The boys play football.
Key Points:
- Everyone, someone, no one take singular verbs.
- Few, both, several, and many are plural.
- Each, every, one are singular.
- Special Cases:
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- A number = Plural:
Example: A number of students are attending.
- A number = Plural:
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- The number = Singular:
Example: The number of students is increasing.
- The number = Singular:
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- Collective Nouns: Usually singular (e.g., team, family).
- Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb “were” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “dedication.”
- Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb “have been” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “dedication.”
- Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb “has been” agrees in number with the singular subject “dedication.”
- Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb “are” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “dedication.”
Verb Tense
Tense questions on the SAT test your understanding of the appropriate verb tense to use in a given context.
These questions assess your ability to recognize and correctly use past, present, and future tenses, as well as the perfect and progressive aspects.
- Consistency:
Keep verb tenses consistent throughout a sentence or passage unless a shift in time frame is logically required.
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- Present tense paragraphs should remain in the present.
- Past tense paragraphs should remain in the past.
- Ensure the underlined verb matches the surrounding verbs.
- Correct Form:
Choosing the correct form of the verb to match the time frame indicated by the context.
- Sequence of Tenses:
Properly sequencing tenses in complex sentences, especially when dealing with dependent clauses.
Present Tense
Past Tense
Future Tense
Conditional Tense
SAT CONTEXT
Explanation:
To answer this question, students should use the context clues provided in the passage. The passage discusses Leonardo da Vinci’s work during the Renaissance and its lasting influence.
- A. were: This choice is incorrect because it does not agree with the singular subject “dedication.”
- B. have been: This choice is incorrect because it suggests ongoing action that doesn’t fit the context.
- C. is: This choice is correct because it indicates that his dedication remains evident today.
- D. was: This choice is also correct in a different context, but here, it doesn’t fit as well because the influence is ongoing.
Verb Forms
- Finite Verb:
- Definition: A verb that shows tense and agrees with the subject.
Example: She writes every day.
- Infinitive Verb:
- Definition: The base form of the verb, often preceded by “to.”
Example: She likes to write.
- Participle:
- Definition: A form of a verb used as an adjective or to form verb tenses.
Example: The writing process can be difficult (present participle).
Example: The book was written by her (past participle).
Explanation:
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is finite and nonfinite verb forms within a sentence. A main clause requires a finite verb to perform the action of the subject (in this case, “some species of octopus”), and this choice supplies the clause with the finite present tense verb “have” to indicate the ability of the octopus’ species.
Choice B is incorrect because the nonfinite participle “having” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb.
Choice C is incorrect because the nonfinite to-infinitive “to have” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb.
Choice D is incorrect because it incorrectly uses a singular verb form “has” instead of the correct plural verb form “have” for the plural subject “some species of octopus.