Subject verb agreement exercise answers

Subject-Verb Agreement Exercises:
Answers and Explanations

There (doesn’t/don’t) seem to be any
people from Scandinavia present.
 “There” postpones the subject, so look for it after the
verb.
 We can eliminate “from Scandinavia,” since that’s a
prepositional phrase.
 That leaves us with “people” as the subject.
 People doesn’t? Or People don’t?
ThereThere don’tdon’t seem to be anyseem to be any
people from Scandinavia presentpeople from Scandinavia present..

Jasper National Park, with its natural beauty andJasper National Park, with its natural beauty and
year-round schedule of activities, (attract/attracts)year-round schedule of activities, (attract/attracts)
visitors from all over the world.visitors from all over the world.
 We can eliminate “with its . . .,” since that’s a
prepositional phrase. These are simply intervening
words that need to be ignored.
 That leaves us with “Jasper National Park” as the
subject.
 The park attract? Or the park attracts?
Jasper National Park, with its natural beautyJasper National Park, with its natural beauty
and year-round schedule of activities,and year-round schedule of activities,
attractsattracts visitors from all over the world.visitors from all over the world.

Neither of the passengers (was/were)Neither of the passengers (was/were)
able to help the driver with directions.able to help the driver with directions.
 We can eliminate “of the passengers,” since this is a
 So the subject is “neither.”
 “Neither” is singular (always think of it as “neither
one”).
 Neither one was? Neither one were?
Neither of the passengersNeither of the passengers waswas able to helpable to help
the driver with directions.the driver with directions.

Local interest in international commoditiesLocal interest in international commodities
(is/are) increasing.(is/are) increasing.
 We can eliminate “in international commodities,”
since that is a prepositional phrase.
 The subject, then, is “local interest.”
 Local interest is? Local interest are?
Local interest in internationalLocal interest in international
commoditiescommodities isis increasing.increasing.

 This sentence follows the “agreement with the closest
subject rule.”
 Eliminate the first part: not only the pupil but also.
 The instructor was? The instructor were?
Not only the pupil but also the instructorNot only the pupil but also the instructor
waswas exhausted at the end of the day.exhausted at the end of the day.
Not only the pupil but also the instructorNot only the pupil but also the instructor
(was/were) exhausted at the end of the day.(was/were) exhausted at the end of the day.

 Eliminate “of hanging flowers”: this is a prepositional
phrase, so ignore it.
 The basket add? The basket adds?
The basket of hangingThe basket of hanging
flowersflowers addsadds a decorativea decorative
touch to the balcony.touch to the balcony.
The basket of hanging flowers (add/adds)The basket of hanging flowers (add/adds)
a decorative touch to the balcony.a decorative touch to the balcony.

 Ignore “as well as the desk clerk.” It doesn’t use the
word “and,” so it doesn’t make the subject plural. It’s
just intervening words to be ignored.
 The porter was? The porter were?
The porter, as well as the desk clerk,The porter, as well as the desk clerk,
waswas unsure of the man’s whereabouts.unsure of the man’s whereabouts.
The porter, as well as the desk clerk,The porter, as well as the desk clerk,
(was/were) unsure of the man’s(was/were) unsure of the man’s
whereabouts.whereabouts.

 Ignore “of my biggest problems.” It’s a prepositional
phrase: it modifies the subject, but it’s not the subject
itself. It’s just intervening words to be ignored.
 One is? One are?
One of my biggest problemsOne of my biggest problems
isis subject-verb agreement.subject-verb agreement.
One of my biggest problems (is/are)One of my biggest problems (is/are)
subject-verb agreement.subject-verb agreement.

 The word “and” combines the two nouns and makes
the subject plural. (If it helps you to get the verb
right, think of plurals as “they.”)
 They make? They makes?
The owl and the loonThe owl and the loon makemake
their home in the region.their home in the region.
The owl and the loon (make/makes)The owl and the loon (make/makes)
their home in the region.their home in the region.

 “Each” is singular. It doesn’t actually matter that
“hand and foot” is plural: “each,” coming in front of
the subject, takes precedence.
 Think of “each” as “each one.”
 Each one leave? Each one leaves?
Each human hand and footEach human hand and foot
leavesleaves a distinctive print.a distinctive print.
Each human hand and foot (leave/leaves)Each human hand and foot (leave/leaves)
a distinctive print.a distinctive print.

 When “each” comes after the subject, ignore it.
 “And” makes the subject plural: they.
 They expect? They expects?
My uncle and my nephew eachMy uncle and my nephew each
expectexpect to catch the biggest fish.to catch the biggest fish.
My uncle and my nephew each (expect/expects)My uncle and my nephew each (expect/expects)
to catch the biggest fish.to catch the biggest fish.

 “Every” means “every ONE.” It makes the subject
singular.
 “As well as” doesn’t make the subject plural (only
“and” can do that.) So ignore the intervening words.
 Every one experience? Every one experiences?
Every adult, as well as mostEvery adult, as well as most
children,children, experiencesexperiences some anxiety.some anxiety.
Every adult, as well as most children,Every adult, as well as most children,
(experience/experiences) some anxiety.(experience/experiences) some anxiety.

 “Each” is singular. It doesn’t actually matter that
“freshman, sophomore, and junior” is plural: “each,”
coming in front of the subject, takes precedence.
 Think of “each” as “each one.”
 Each one is? Each one are?
Each freshman, sophomore, and juniorEach freshman, sophomore, and junior
isis asked to contribute to the project.asked to contribute to the project.
Each freshman, sophomore, and juniorEach freshman, sophomore, and junior
(is/are) asked to contribute to the project.(is/are) asked to contribute to the project.

 Ignore intervening words.
 The subject is “nervousness.”
 Nervousness take? Nervousness takes?
Nervousness, sometimes a sign of otherNervousness, sometimes a sign of other
disorders, oftendisorders, often takestakes several forms.several forms.
Nervousness, sometimes a sign of otherNervousness, sometimes a sign of other
disorders, often (take/takes) several forms.disorders, often (take/takes) several forms.

verb.
 Eliminate the prepositional phrases: “of children,” “in
the fields,” and “behind the house.”
 Ignore “playing”: it’s a verbal. “A group” is the subject.
 “Group” is a collective noun: it’s singular.
ThereThere isis a group of children playinga group of children playing
in the fields behind the house.in the fields behind the house.
There (is/are) a group of children playingThere (is/are) a group of children playing
in the fields behind the house.in the fields behind the house.

 Eliminate the prepositional phrase: “about those
intersections.”
 “Everything” is the subject.
 Everything is? Everything are?
Everything about thoseEverything about those
intersectionsintersections isis dangerous.dangerous.
Everything about those intersectionsEverything about those intersections
(is/are) dangerous.(is/are) dangerous.

 “The jury” is the subject.
 It’s a collective noun.
 Collective nouns are singular. You can test for the
correct verb by substituting a singular pronoun: he,
she, or it.
 It remain faithful? It remains faithful?
The juryThe jury remainsremains faithful to its pledgefaithful to its pledge
of fairness and confidentiality.of fairness and confidentiality.
The jury (remain/remains) faithful to itsThe jury (remain/remains) faithful to its
pledge of fairness and confidentiality.pledge of fairness and confidentiality.

 Ignore the prepositional phrase,
“of the Rockies.”
 The grandeur is? The grandeur
are?
The grandeur of theThe grandeur of the
RockiesRockies isis a major factora major factor
in the park’s popularity.in the park’s popularity.
The grandeur of the Rockies (is/are) aThe grandeur of the Rockies (is/are) a
major factor in the park’s popularity.major factor in the park’s popularity.

 The pronoun “who” is the subject of the dependent clause.
It’s neither singular nor plural, so it can’t help with the verb
choice.
 We need to go to the antecedent to answer the
singular/plural question.
 The antecedent for “who” is “journalists.” (Structurally,
“who” must refer back to the closest available antecedent.)
 Journalists write? Journalists writes?
Franklin is one of the journalists whoFranklin is one of the journalists who
oftenoften writewrite editorials.editorials.
Franklin is one of the journalists whoFranklin is one of the journalists who
often (write/writes) editorials.often (write/writes) editorials.

 The pronoun “who” is the subject of the dependent clause.
choice. We need to go to the antecedent to answer the
 The antecedent for “who” is “sisters.” (Structurally, “who”
must refer back to the closest available antecedent.)
 Sisters travel? Sisters travels?
Melissa is the only one of the sisters whoMelissa is the only one of the sisters who
traveltravel regularly to New York.regularly to New York.
Melissa is the only one of the sisters whoMelissa is the only one of the sisters who
(travel/travels) regularly to New York.(travel/travels) regularly to New York.

 The subject of the sentence is “twenty-five cents.”
 Sums of money are, according to the rules of
grammar, treated as singular. (Substitute the
pronoun “it.”)
 It does not? It do not?
Twenty-five centsTwenty-five cents does notdoes not
buy much these days.buy much these days.
Twenty-five cents (does not/do not)Twenty-five cents (does not/do not)
buy much these days.buy much these days.

 Ignore the modifier, “each morning,” and ignore the
prepositional phrase, “of open coastline.”
 Distances are, according to the rules of grammar,
treated as singular. (Substitute the pronoun “it.”)
 It spread out? It spreads out?
Each morning, eight kilometers of openEach morning, eight kilometers of open
coastlinecoastline spreadsspreads out before his view.out before his view.
Each morning, eight kilometers of open coastlineEach morning, eight kilometers of open coastline
(spread/spreads) out before his view.(spread/spreads) out before his view.

 “One-third” is the subject. (“Of the students” is, of
course, a prepositional phrase.)
 Fractions may be single or plural, depending on
what they refer to. In this case, the fraction refers
to several students. Since it refers to more than
one, it’s plural.
One-third of the studentsOne-third of the students feelfeel thatthat
the teacher is asking too much.the teacher is asking too much.
One-third of the students (feel/feels) thatOne-third of the students (feel/feels) that
the teacher is asking too much.the teacher is asking too much.

 “One-third” is the subject. (“Of the swimming pool”
is, of course, a prepositional phrase.)
 Fractions may be single or plural, depending on
what they are fractions of. In this case, we have a
fractional portion of a swimming pool—one single
thing.
 In this case, the fraction is singular.
One-third of the swimming pool desperatelyOne-third of the swimming pool desperately
needsneeds to be refurbished.to be refurbished.
One-third of the swimming pool desperatelyOne-third of the swimming pool desperately
(need/needs) to(need/needs) to be refurbished.be refurbished.

The subject is “physics.”
Titles of school subjects are, by definition,
singular.
Replace with the singular pronoun “it” to test for
the right verb: It sound? It sounds?
PhysicsPhysics soundssounds like a verylike a very
interesting course to take this year.interesting course to take this year.
Physics (sound/sounds) like a veryPhysics (sound/sounds) like a very
interesting course to take this year.interesting course to take this year.

The subject is “the media.”
“Media” is a collective noun, and therefore
singular.
In this sentence, not only the verb but also the
pronoun needs to be made singular.
The mediaThe media downplaysdownplays the significancethe significance
ofof itsits presence at the event.presence at the event.
The media (downplay/downplays) theThe media (downplay/downplays) the
significance of their presence at the event.significance of their presence at the event.

The subject is “statistics.”
“Statistics” is plural.
You can substitute the plural pronoun “they” to
test for the right verb. They reveal? They
reveals?
StatisticsStatistics revealreveal several alarmingseveral alarming
trends regarding global warming.trends regarding global warming.
Statistics (reveal/reveals) several alarmingStatistics (reveal/reveals) several alarming
trends regarding global warming.trends regarding global warming.

The subject is “glasses.”
“Glasses” is plural.
You can substitute the plural pronoun “they” to
test for the right verb. They make? They
makes?
My brother’s new glassesMy brother’s new glasses makemake
him look like a librarian.him look like a librarian.
My brother’s new glasses (make/makes)My brother’s new glasses (make/makes)
him look like a librarian.him look like a librarian.

The subject is “pair.” (“Winter gloves” isn’t it,
since “winter gloves” is the object of the
preposition “of.”)
“Pair” is a collective noun. Collective nouns are
singular.
My pair of winter glovesMy pair of winter gloves
hasn’thasn’t been seen sincebeen seen since
we moved in March.we moved in March.
My pair of winter gloves (haven’t/hasn’t)My pair of winter gloves (haven’t/hasn’t)
been seen since we moved in March.been seen since we moved in March.

“The Seven Samurai” is a title. Titles are
singular.
Akiro Kurosawa’sAkiro Kurosawa’s The SevenThe Seven
SamuraiSamurai remainsremains a landmark film.a landmark film.
Akiro Kurosawa’sAkiro Kurosawa’s The Seven SamuraiThe Seven Samurai
(remain/remains) a landmark film.(remain/remains) a landmark film.

We can eliminate “to these incidents,”
since this is a prepositional phrase.
So the subject is “the reaction.”
The reaction was? The reaction were?
The reaction to these incidentsThe reaction to these incidents
waswas quick and angry.quick and angry.
The reaction to these incidentsThe reaction to these incidents
(was/were) quick and angry.(was/were) quick and angry.

We can eliminate “of the passengers,”
since this is a prepositional phrase.
So the subject is “each.”
Each is singular.
Each one has? Each one have?
Each of the passengersEach of the passengers
hashas a headphone.a headphone.
Each of the passengersEach of the passengers
(has/have) a headphone.(has/have) a headphone.

“Controlled substances” is the subject.
In this case, it’s not plural, because it’s a
name or a title (in this case, a name for
illegal drugs).
Titles are singular.
ControlIed substancesControlIed substances isis aa
euphemism for illegal drugs.euphemism for illegal drugs.
ControlIed substancesControlIed substances (is/are)(is/are)
a euphemism for illegal drugs.a euphemism for illegal drugs.

 The pronoun “that” is the subject of the dependent clause.
choice.
 We need to go to the antecedent to answer the
 The antecedent for “that” is “things.” (Structurally, “that”
must refer back to the closest available antecedent.)
 Things set? Things sets?
Our facility with language is one of theOur facility with language is one of the
things thatthings that setset us apart from animals.us apart from animals.
Our facility with language is one of the thingsOur facility with language is one of the things
that (set/sets) us apart from animals.that (set/sets) us apart from animals.

 “There” postpones the subject, so look for it after the verb.
 We can eliminate “of twenty volunteers,” since that’s a
 The subject is “a social worker and a crew.” The word
“and” combines these into a plural subject. (Substitute
“they” to check the verb.)
 They was? They were?
ThereThere werewere a social worker anda social worker and
a crew of twenty volunteers.a crew of twenty volunteers.
There (was/were) a social worker andThere (was/were) a social worker and
a crew of twenty volunteers.a crew of twenty volunteers.

 Where’s the subject? It’s not “at the front” or “of the
orchestra”—these are prepositional phrases.
 The usual word order in this sentence is inverted. The subject
comes after the verb.
 The word “and” joins the words “the concertmaster” and “the
pianist” and makes the subject plural.
 They sit? They sits?
At the front of the orchestraAt the front of the orchestra sitsit thethe
concertmaster and the pianist.concertmaster and the pianist.
At the front of the orchestra (sit/sits)At the front of the orchestra (sit/sits)
the concertmaster and the pianist.the concertmaster and the pianist.
This may sound wrong to you, but it is correct. Change the
sentence to the more standard word order, and it will sound
fine: The concertmaster and the pianistThe concertmaster and the pianist sitsit at the front of theat the front of the
orchestra.orchestra.

 We can eliminate “of the children,” since this is a
 So the subject is “none.”
 “None” (not one) is singular.
 Not one have? Not one has?
None of the children who were absentNone of the children who were absent
yesterdayyesterday hashas returned to school.returned to school.
None of the children who were absentNone of the children who were absent
yesterday (have/has) returned to school.yesterday (have/has) returned to school.
(In case you’re wondering, “were” is plural, because it agrees
with “who,” which stands in for the plural antecedent “children.”)

We can eliminate “in Japan,” since this is a
The subject is “company.”
“Company” is a collective noun.
Collective nouns are singular.
In Japan, a company oftenIn Japan, a company often requiresrequires
people to carry business cards.people to carry business cards.
In Japan, a company often (require/requires)In Japan, a company often (require/requires)
people to carry business cards.people to carry business cards.

verb.
 We can eliminate “of jeans” and “on the market,”
since these are prepositional phrases.
 The subject is “styles.”
 Styles is? Styles are?
ThereThere areare many different stylesmany different styles
of jeans on the market.of jeans on the market.
There (is/are) many different stylesThere (is/are) many different styles
of jeans on the market.of jeans on the market.

“As well as” can’t make the subject plural—
only “and” can—so ignore these intervening
words entirely.
The important word is “every,” which is
singular.
Every one need? Every one needs?
Every bird, as well as mostEvery bird, as well as most
reptiles,reptiles, needsneeds to build nests.to build nests.
Every bird, as well as most reptiles,Every bird, as well as most reptiles,
(need/needs) to build nests.(need/needs) to build nests.

Los Angeles Times, which is the subject,
sounds plural, but it’s not. It’s a name.
Names are singular.
Use the singular pronoun “it” to test for the
right verb.
It publish? It publishes?
TheThe Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times publishespublishes
a number of investigative reports.a number of investigative reports.
TheThe Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times (publish/publishes) a(publish/publishes) a
number of investigative reports.number of investigative reports.

We can ignore “countries,” since it’s the object
of the preposition “of.”
“Community” is the subject. It is a collective
noun.
Collective nouns are singular.
The European community of countriesThe European community of countries
tendstends to work cooperatively.to work cooperatively.
The European community of countriesThe European community of countries
(tend/tends) to work cooperatively.(tend/tends) to work cooperatively.

We can ignore “in the bag” and “on the floor,”
since they are prepositional phrases.
“Books” is the subject.
Books belong? Books belongs?
The books in the bag on the floorThe books in the bag on the floor
belongbelong to my Brazilian friend.to my Brazilian friend.
The books in the bag on the floorThe books in the bag on the floor
(belong/belongs) to my Brazilian friend.(belong/belongs) to my Brazilian friend.

“Neither/nor” constructions follow the
“agreement with the closest subject” rule.
“Neither my sister nor her friends” is the
subject. The part the verb has to agree with is
“her friends.”
Her friends have? Her friends has?
Neither my sister nor her friendsNeither my sister nor her friends havehave
any interest in mountain-climbing.any interest in mountain-climbing.
Neither my sister nor her friends (have/has)Neither my sister nor her friends (have/has)
any interest in mountain-climbing.any interest in mountain-climbing.

 “Either/or” constructions follow the “agreement with the
closest subject” rule.
 “Either the cook, the chauffeur, or the twins from
Idaho” is the subject. The part the verb has to agree
with is “the twins.” (Ignore “from Idaho”—that’s a
prepositional phrase.)
 The twins is? The twins are?
Either the cook, the chauffeur, or theEither the cook, the chauffeur, or the
twins from Idahotwins from Idaho areare seeking revenge.seeking revenge.
Either the cook, the chauffeur, or the twinsEither the cook, the chauffeur, or the twins
from Idaho (is/are) seeking revenge.from Idaho (is/are) seeking revenge.

Ignore “of the answers,” because that’s a
The subject is “none.” “None” (not one) is
singular.
Not one seem? Not one seems?
None of my answersNone of my answers
seemsseems to be correct.to be correct.
None of my answers (seem/seems)None of my answers (seem/seems)
to be correct.to be correct.

Ignore “in the band,” because that’s a
The subject is “everyone.” “Everyone” (every
ONE) is singular.
Everyone want? Everyone wants?
Nearly everyone in theNearly everyone in the
bandband wantswants the school tothe school to
purchase new uniforms.purchase new uniforms.
Nearly everyone in the band (want/wants)Nearly everyone in the band (want/wants)
the school to purchase new uniforms.the school to purchase new uniforms.

Subject verb agreement exercise answers

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