Digital SATReading and Writing: Standard English ConventionsHard
A meteorologist observed that the atmospheric conditions, particularly the rapidly shifting wind patterns, ______ indicative of an approaching severe storm.
- Ais
- Bhas been
- Care
- Dwas
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. are
The actual subject of the verb is 'conditions,' which is plural. The phrase 'particularly the rapidly shifting wind patterns' is an intervening phrase that describes the conditions but is not the subject itself. Therefore, the plural verb 'are' is correct.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This singular present tense verb does not agree with the plural subject 'conditions'.
- B. This singular perfect tense verb does not agree with the plural subject 'conditions'.
- D. This singular past tense verb does not agree with the plural subject 'conditions'.
Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases
Phrases that come between the subject and the verb (e.g., prepositional phrases, appositives, clauses beginning with 'along with,' 'as well as,' 'in addition to') do not affect the number of the subject.
- The verb must agree with the true subject, not a noun in an intervening phrase.
- Mentally remove intervening phrases to identify the core subject.
- Phrases like 'especially,' 'particularly,' 'including' are often distractors.
Memory trick: Don't let the words in the middle fool you, find the real subject, it's true!