SAT Reading & Writing: Identifying the Complete Subject
25+ practice questions in Praczo
The concept, explained
- 1
The complete subject includes the main noun (simple subject) and all the words that modify it (adjectives, prepositional phrases, dependent clauses).
- 2
The SAT often separates the simple subject from the verb with long prepositional phrases to confuse subject-verb agreement.
- 3
Prepositional phrases (e.g., "of the students," "in the box") are NEVER the subject.
- 4
To find the simple subject, start at the verb and ask "Who or what is doing this action?"
- 5
If the sentence is inverted (verb comes before subject), find the verb first, then locate what the verb governs. "Under the table sits the cat." Verb = sits, Subject = cat.
- ✗ Assuming the noun closest to the verb is the subject, especially when it sits inside a prepositional phrase.
- ✗ Treating introductory phrases ("After the game, ...") as the subject.
SAT-style practice
In the sentence "The basket of red apples and green pears sits on the counter," what is the simple subject?
Ready to master this concept?
Praczo tracks your mastery on all 179 SAT concepts — not just broad topics. One sample question is a start; drilling to mastery is how scores move.
3-day free trial — no credit card required