Digital SATReading and Writing: Standard English ConventionsHard
A historian, meticulously analyzing ancient texts, uncovered evidence that the widespread belief in a flat Earth, despite compelling counter-evidence from early navigators, ______________ surprisingly persistent among some populations.
- Aare
- Bhave been
- Cwas
- Dwere
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. was
The subject of the sentence is 'belief,' which is a singular abstract noun. The long intervening phrase 'in a flat Earth, despite compelling counter-evidence from early navigators' does not change the number of the subject. Therefore, the singular past tense verb 'was' is needed.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 'Are' is a plural present tense verb and does not agree with the singular subject 'belief'.
- B. 'Have been' is a plural present perfect verb and does not agree with the singular subject 'belief'.
- D. 'Were' is a plural past tense verb and does not agree with the singular subject 'belief'.
Subject-Verb Agreement with Complex Intervening Phrases
When a long and complex phrase separates the subject from its verb, ignore the intervening phrase and ensure the verb agrees with the true subject.
- Identify the main subject first.
- Mentally remove all prepositional phrases and clauses between the subject and verb.
- The verb must agree only with the main subject's number.
Memory trick: Cut through the noise, find the true subject's voice!