ACT Preparation / Unit 3 ACT 0208 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Finding the Real Subject
The idea
To choose a verb in a long or turned-around sentence, work in four steps. First, cross out phrases that sit between subject and verb, such as those beginning with of or with. Second, if the verb comes first, turn the sentence around. Third, check whether the subject is compound: and makes it plural, while or and nor send you to the nearer part. Fourth, for some, most, all or none, look at the noun they refer to.
In practice
Worked example: "Along the fence there (is, are) a row of tall sunflowers and two benches." Turned around: a row of tall sunflowers and two benches, along the fence. Cross out "of tall sunflowers": a row and two benches. Joined by and, the subject is plural, so are. Second: "Most of the paint on the walls (has, have) dried." Cross out "on the walls": most of the paint. Paint is one mass, so has.
Where people slip
Two decoys sat in those sentences, sunflowers and walls, both plural, and neither was the subject. The noun nearest the verb is a guess, not a method.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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