Subject-Verb Agreement
A verb must match its subject in number. Find the true subject first, then check the verb.
The rules
- Cross out phrases that start with of, in, with, as well as, along with. The subject is never inside them.
- In sentences that start with There is or There are, the subject comes after the verb.
- Each, every, either, neither and one are singular. Both, few, many and several are plural.
- Subjects joined by and are plural. With or or nor, match the verb to the closer subject.
Watch out: Matching the verb to the noun closest to it. In "The box of apples are heavy," the subject is box, not apples.
Worked example
The collection of rare coins _____ displayed in the lobby. (is / are)
- Ignore "of rare coins."
- The subject is "collection," which is singular.
- So the verb is "is."
Answer: is
Try it yourself
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