Digital SATReading and Writing: Standard English ConventionsHard
A historian argues that the widespread belief in a flat Earth, despite compelling evidence to the contrary, ______ a symptom of intellectual inertia rather than a lack of observational data.
- Ahave been
- Bare
- Cis
- Dwere
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. is
The subject of the clause is 'belief,' which is singular. The long prepositional phrase 'in a flat Earth, despite compelling evidence to the contrary' intervenes between the subject and the verb but does not change the subject's singular nature. Therefore, the singular verb 'is' is correct.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This plural perfect tense verb does not agree with the singular subject 'belief'.
- B. This plural present tense verb does not agree with the singular subject 'belief'.
- D. This plural past tense verb does not agree with the singular subject 'belief'.
Subject-Verb Agreement with Complex Prepositional Phrases
When a singular subject is followed by a long or complex prepositional phrase, the verb must still agree with the singular subject, ignoring any nouns within the phrase.
- Prepositional phrases never contain the grammatical subject.
- Mentally cross out prepositional phrases to reveal the true subject.
- Be vigilant for plural nouns within these phrases that act as distractors.
Memory trick: Prepositional phrases are just a disguise, hide the real subject right before your eyes!