GED Prep: Grammar and Language Conventions (Subject‑Verb, Pronoun, Modifier Errors)

GED – Grammar and Language Conventions (Subject‑Verb, Pronoun, Modifier Errors)

GED Grammar & Language Conventions Study Guide: Subject-Verb, Pronoun, and Modifier Errors

What This Is

This section tests your ability to identify and correct errors in subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, and modifier placement—key skills for clear, professional writing. On the GED Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) test, you’ll see multiple-choice questions asking you to spot and fix these errors in sentences or short passages. Example: "The team of scientists (is/are) presenting their findings today." (Answer: is—the subject is "team," a singular collective noun.)

Key Terms & Rules

Subject-Verb Agreement

• Singular vs. Plural Subjects: Singular subjects take singular verbs (she runs), plural subjects take plural verbs (they run).
• Indefinite Pronouns (Singular): Anyone, everybody, each, either, neither, one, nobody always take singular verbs.
• ❌ Everyone are happy. ✅ Everyone is happy.
• Compound Subjects (Joined by "and"): Usually plural (Tom and Jerry are friends), unless they refer to one thing (Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite).
• Subjects After the Verb: Flip the sentence to find the subject (There are two books on the table).
• Collective Nouns: Words like team, family, class can be singular or plural depending on context.
• Singular: The team is winning. (acting as one unit)
• Plural: The team are arguing among themselves. (acting as individuals)

Pronoun Errors

• Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: Pronouns must match their antecedents (the noun they replace) in number and gender.
• ❌ Each student must bring their book. ✅ Each student must bring his or her book. (or rewrite: All students must bring their books.)
• Ambiguous Pronouns: Avoid unclear references (When Jake and Sam met, he was late. Who was late?).
• Pronoun Case (Subject vs. Object):
• Subject pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they (She and I went).
• Object pronouns: me, you, him, her, it, us, them (Give it to her and me).
• Who vs. Whom:
• Who = subject (Who called?)
• Whom = object (To whom did you speak?)

Modifier Errors

• Misplaced Modifiers: Descriptive phrases must be next to the word they modify.
• ❌ Running down the street, the dog chased the mailman. (The dog isn’t running!)
• ✅ Running down the street, the mailman was chased by the dog.
• Dangling Modifiers: The word being modified is missing.
• ❌ After finishing the project, the computer crashed. (Who finished the project?)
• ✅ After I finished the project, the computer crashed.
• Squinting Modifiers: Ambiguous placement (Students who study often get good grades—does "often" modify "study" or "get"?).

Step-by-Step / Process Flow

How to tackle a grammar question on the GED:
1. Read the full sentence (or passage) first—don’t just scan for errors.
2. Identify the subject and verb (underline them if needed). Ask: Does the verb match the subject in number? 3. Check pronouns: Do they clearly refer to a noun? Do they agree in number/gender? 4. Look for modifiers: Are they next to the word they describe? Could they be misinterpreted? 5. Eliminate answer choices that introduce new errors or don’t fix the original issue.
6. Plug in your answer and reread the sentence aloud—does it sound correct?

Common Mistakes

Exam Insights

• Most-tested concept: Subject-verb agreement, especially with tricky subjects (collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, compound subjects).
• Common distractor: Answer choices that "sound right" but are grammatically incorrect (e.g., The data is conclusive vs. The data are conclusive—both sound natural, but "data" is plural).
• Modifier traps: The GED loves misplaced modifiers—always ask: What is this phrase describing?
• Pronoun traps: Watch for gender-neutral singular pronouns (e.g., a student...they). The GED may test whether you recognize this as incorrect (unless the context allows "they" as singular).

Quick Check Questions

1. Which sentence is correct?
   A) Neither of the options are suitable.
   B) Neither of the options is suitable.
   C) Neither of the options were suitable.
   Answer: B (Neither is singular; the verb must be is.)

2. Fix the modifier error:
   Covered in frosting, the children devoured the cupcakes.
   Answer: Covered in frosting, the cupcakes were devoured by the children. (The cupcakes—not the children—are covered in frosting.)

3. Choose the correct pronoun:
   The teacher gave the books to Sarah and (I/me).
   Answer: me (Object pronoun needed after "to.")

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs (she has, not she have).
2. Indefinite pronouns (each, either, neither, one) are always singular.
3. Compound subjects with "and" are plural (Tom and Jerry are).
4. Collective nouns (team, family) can be singular or plural—check context.
5. Pronouns must match their antecedents in number/gender (a student...he or she).
6. Who = subject (who called?), whom = object (to whom?).
7. Misplaced modifiers describe the wrong word—move them next to what they modify.
8. Dangling modifiers lack a clear subject—add one (After I finished...).
9. ⚠️ Watch for "sound-alike" traps (data are, not data is).
10. ⚠️ The GED tests "they" as a singular pronoun—only correct if the context allows it (e.g., A person should bring their ID).