If you are preparing for the GMAT, you are likely familiar with the importance of proper grammar and syntax in the exam. One area where many students struggle is subject-verb agreement, which is a common topic on the GMAT. In this article, we will discuss tips and strategies for mastering GMAT subject-verb agreement questions.
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with the subject. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. For example, “She walks to the store” is correct, while “She walk to the store” is incorrect.
The Importance of Subject-Verb Agreement on the GMAT
Subject-verb agreement is a crucial topic on the GMAT, as it appears in both sentence correction questions and in critical reasoning questions. In sentence correction questions, you will be asked to identify and correct errors in grammar and syntax, including subject-verb agreement. In critical reasoning questions, you will be asked to identify the logical flaws in arguments, which may include errors in subject-verb agreement.
Strategies for Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement on the GMAT
1. Identify the Subject
The first step in mastering subject-verb agreement on the GMAT is to identify the subject of the sentence. The subject is the person, place, or thing that the sentence is about, and it is usually located at the beginning of the sentence.
2. Match the Verb to the Subject
Once you have identified the subject, you must make sure that the verb agrees in number with the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
3. Watch Out for Tricky Singular Subjects
Some singular subjects can be tricky, as they may appear to be plural. For example, “each,” “every,” and “neither” are all singular subjects, even though they may refer to multiple things. In these cases, the verb must still be singular.
4. Beware of Compound Subjects
Compound subjects are two or more subjects joined by “and.” In these cases, the verb must be plural to agree with the multiple subjects. For example, “The cat and the dog chase the mouse” is correct, while “The cat and the dog chases the mouse” is incorrect.
5. Ignore Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases, which begin with words like “of,” “in,” and “on,” do not affect subject-verb agreement. For example, in the sentence “The group of students is studying,” “group” is the subject, and the verb “is” agrees in number with the singular subject.
In conclusion, mastering subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of preparing for the GMAT. By following these strategies and practicing with sample questions, you can improve your performance on this challenging topic and increase your chances of success on the exam. Good luck!