For subject-verb agreement questions, locate the complete grammatical subject before considering the nouns closest to the blank. When a clause beginning with “that” serves as the subject, treat the whole clause as one singular fact or idea and choose the verb form that agrees with it.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look beyond the nearest noun
Do not assume that the noun closest to the blank is the subject of the missing verb.
- Hint 2
Condense the subject
Temporarily replace the entire clause beginning with “That” with the singular phrase “This finding.” Then determine which verb form agrees.
Step-by-step
- Step 1
Identify the complete subject
The subject is not one of the nearby plural nouns, such as “paths” or “vessels.” The complete subject is the clause beginning with “That” and ending with “were shaped.”
- Step 2
Apply subject-verb agreement
This clause represents one fact or finding, so it is treated as singular. The singular present-tense verb “supports” therefore completes the sentence correctly.