The Ultimate Subject/Verb Agreement Review
(Don't, Doesn't) it make sense to you?
Does (Take out "not" when selecting the answer.)
(Has, Have) either of the flowers bloomed?
Has ("Either" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
(Is, Are) your favorite invention video games?
Is (The subject is "invention", NOT "games".)
A dictionary and an atlas (belongs, belong) in every library.
belong (Compound subjects joined by "and" are plural.)
Here (come, comes) the velociraptors that will eat us.
come ("There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects.)
Here (comes, come) the movers with the sofa.
come ("There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects.)
Not only the students but also their instructor (have, has) been called to the principal's office.
has (For compound subjects joined with two-part conjunctions like "either...or" and "not only...but also", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Mark, as well as Jane, (have, has) an English essay due Tuesday.
has (Ignore intervening expressions.)
Each of those opera singers regularly (hit, hits) notes high enough to break glass and paralyze small animals.
hits ("Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Even a small amount of similes and metaphors (improve, improves) narrative writing.
improves (The subject is "amount".)
Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" (include, includes) many humorous stories.
includes (Titles are singular.)
Many of the strategies used to improve a student's comprehension (involve, involves) a hands-on approach.
involve ("Many" is a plural indefinite pronoun.)
Beyond those buildings (is, are) a roller skating rink.
is ("Beyond those buildings" is a prepositional phrase.)
The lightest crate (are, is) two tons.
is ("Crate" is the subject.)
Neither of the parents (is, are) at home.
is ("Neither" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Neither of these envelopes (is, are) the correct size for my letter.
is ("Neither" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
None of this breakfast you cooked (are, is) fit to eat.
is ("None" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "breakfast".)
The real draw of this restaurant (is, are) the homemade pies.
is (The subject is "draw", NOT "pies".)
One reason for the abundance of good students at GCHS (is, are) dedicated parents.
is (The subject is "reason", NOT "parents".)
"Stir of Echoes" (is, are) worth seeing.
is (Titles are singular.)
Driving at unsafe speeds (put, puts) lives at risk.
puts (The subject is the gerund "Driving".)
Rice and beans, my favorite dish, (remind, reminds) me of my native Puerto Rico.
reminds (Although the compound subject has "and", it is a single dish.)
Although many students hope to earn an "A" on the final exam, only one in five (succeeds, succeed) in doing so.
succeeds ("One" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
The movie, including all the previews, (takes, take) about two hours to watch.
takes (Ignore intervening expressions.)
The shine on my hardwood floors (take, takes) abuse from the ragged toenails of my dog Stewy.
takes (The subject is "shine".)
There (were, was) two jugs of milk in the refrigerator.
were ("There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects.)
On the wall (was, were) several posters.
were (The subject is "posters".)
(Have, Has) neither of those students a clue that the research paper outline is due today?
Has ("Neither" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
(Have, Has) one of the students cheated on the exam?
Has ("One" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
(Have, Has) either Ella or her friends written to Elaine?
Has (For subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
(Is, Are) either of the answers acceptable?
Is ("Either" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
(Is, Are) my boss or my friends in the union going to win this grievance?
Is (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
(Is, Are) the dog or the cats outside?
Is (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Each lion and tiger (are, is) roaring.
is (If "each" or "every" is in front of a compound subject, the verb is singular because the subject is implying "each ONE".)
Every cat hair and loose thread (cling, clings) to Sue's favorite pair of pants.
is (If "each" or "every" is in front of a compound subject, the verb is singular because the subject is implying "every ONE".)
A vitamin C tablet, in addition to milk jug caps and dead cockroaches, (are, is) part of the debris that Sara found when she cleaned under the stove.
is (Ignore intervening expressions.)
Anthony Rizzo, along with Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist, (is, are) part of Major League Baseball's most potent offense.
is (Ignore intervening expressions.)
Hail, in addition to rain, (are, is) expected tomorrow.
is (Ignore intervening expressions.)
The whole family (is, are) active.
is (In this sentence, the collective noun "family" is regarded as a single unit.)
Zipping through the clouds (are, is) a fleet of UFO's.
is (In this sentence, the collective noun "fleet" refers to a single unit.)
A group of children in the lunchroom (are, is) not being cooperative.
is (The collective noun "group" is referring to a single unit.)
Peas and carrots (is, are) my favorite side dish.
is (The compound subject "peas and carrots" forms a single unit.)
The fishing boat that has been tied up at the pier for three days (are, is) no longer there.
is (The subject is "boat".)
Joe's favorite dessert (is, are) blueberry muffins.
is (The subject is "dessert", NOT "muffins".)
Tonight's topic (is, are) family vacations.
is (The subject is "topic", NOT "vacations".)
Even though Scott has already seen the film at least 10 times, "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" always (keep, keeps) him on the edge of his seat.
keeps (Titles are singular.)
Any one of Mr. Holland's students (know, knows) the rules that govern subject-verb agreement.
knows ("One" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Either the man or his wife (know, knows) the truth of the matter.
knows (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
The committee (lead, leads) very different lives in private.
lead (Because "lives" indicates "committee" is referring to the committee members separately, the collective noun is plural.)
Apathy, non-compliance, and failure (lead, leads) to school dropouts.
lead (Compound subjects joined by "and" are plural.)
Being too trusting and carrying too much cash (lead, leads) to trouble.
lead (Compound subjects joined with "and" are plural.)
The ghostly remains of the Titanic (lie, lies) in a berth more than two miles deep in the North Atlantic.
lie ("Remains" is the subject.)
Patience and compassion, in addition to a wallet bulging with money, (makes, make) everyone want Ferris as a friend.
make (1. Ignore intervening expressions. 2. Compound subjects joined with "and" are plural.)
Not only shopping for presents but also attending boring parties (makes, make) many people dislike the winter holidays.
makes (1. For compound subjects joined with two-part conjunctions like "either...or" and "not only...but also", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer. 2. The subject is the gerund "attending").
The giant spider in the kitchen, together with the cockroaches in the bathroom, (make, makes) entertaining at my house a potentially embarrassing experience.
makes (Ignore intervening expressions.)
The Rowing Club, as well as the Choral Society and the International Club, (need, needs) to submit a new constitution to the university president.
needs (Ignore intervening expressions.)
Neither my sisters nor my mother (plan, plans) to mow the grass.
plans (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
The science fiction fanatic, along with his two buddies, (plan, plans) to attend Comic-Con.
plans (Ignore intervening expressions.)
Kyra, together with her teammates, (present, presents) a formidable opponent on the basketball court.
presents (Ignoring intervening expressions.)
The state of Wisconsin, best known for its cheese, also (produces, produce) bratwursts and maple syrup.
produces (Ignore intervening expressions.)
Nobody, not even his best friends, (realize, realizes) the troubles Jeremy has reading.
realizes (1. Ignore intervening expressions. 2. "Nobody" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Statistics (require, requires) so much homework that Abby's poor fingers have permanent indentations from pressing the calculator pads.
requires (Certain nouns ending in -ics like "statistics", "physics", or "athletics" are singular.)
From the top of Mount Etna (rise, rises) smoke and ash, warning inhabitants and tourists alike that it is time to leave.
rise (1. The sentence starts with two prepositional phrases. 2. Compound subjects joined with "and" are plural.)
In the jungle (roars, roar) the lion.
roars ("Lion" is the subject.)
Howard and Sheldon, who (runs, run) a scooter shop in town, (have, has) decided to expand their business.
run, have (1. Since the subordinate clause "who run/runs a scooter shop in town" refers to "Howard and Sheldon", the first verb is plural. 2. A compound subject joined with "and" is plural.)
The ranger and the camper (see, sees) the hungry bear charging toward them.
see (Compound subjects joined with "and" are plural.)
Some of the votes (seem, seems) to have been miscounted.
seem ("Some" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun so base the verb on "votes".)
One strawberry pie for six or seven adults (seem, seems) adequate.
seems ("Pie" is the subject.)
Neither of the seals (see, sees) the approaching shark.
sees ("Neither" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
That sagging pair of pants (showcase, showcases) Alan's boxer shorts.
showcases ("Pair of pants" is singular because the subject is "pair", NOT "pants".)
Regina, the class snob, together with her arrogant buddies, Gretchen and Karen, (sneer, sneers) at everyone who pulls into the parking lot in a vehicle that (cost, costs) less than $50,000.
sneers, costs (1. Since intervening expressions are ignored, the subject is "Richard". 2. The subordinate clause "that cost/costs less than $50,000" refers to "vehicle", a singular noun.)
None of these broccoli muffins (tastes, taste) good.
taste ("None" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "muffins".)
Everybody on the softball team (try, tries) really hard to please the new coach.
tries ("Everybody" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
The coach, as well as the players, (want, wants) to win.
wants (Ignore intervening expressions.)
Anyone who ate oysters (were, was) asked to visit the infirmary.
was ("Anyone" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Each of the swimmers (was, were) standing on the platform at the start of the race.
was ("Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
None of the land near the creeks (were, was) affected by the flood.
was ("None" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "land".)
One of my best friends (was, were) an extra on The Walking Dead.
was ("One" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
The issue of war, peace, and nuclear holocaust (was, were) of paramount importance at the conference.
was (1. "Of war, peace, and nuclear holocaust" is a prepositional phrase. 2. "Issue" is the subject.)
Neither the traffic light on Broadway Avenue nor the one on Main Street (were, was) working after the storm.
was (1. For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer. 2. "One" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Neither money nor power (were, was) important to the third-grade teacher.
was (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Every literature book and grammar book (was, were) passed out to the students.
was (If "Each" or "Every" is in front of a compound subject, the verb is singular because the subject is implying "every ONE".)
Because of the tornado, every house, garage, and shed (were, was) destroyed.
was (If "each" or "every" is in front of a compound subject, the verb is singular because the subject is implying "every ONE".)
On September 1, 1985, a search party of American and French diving teams (was, were) thrilled to discover the Titanic.
was (In this sentence, the collective noun "party" refers to a single unit.)
The commander of the colonial army and our first president (was, were) George Washington.
was (It is singular since both parts of the compound subject are referring to the same person.)
None of the students in the class (was, were) asked to evaluate the instructor.
were ("None" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "students".)
The results of the elections (were, was) not available for two days.
were ("Results" is the subject.)
There (was, were) pieces of candy in that bag.
were ("There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects.)
There (was, were) several reasons she received the "Teacher of the Year" award.
were ("There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects.)
Where (was, were) the principal and the dean of students at that very moment?
were (1. "Where", "Here", and "There" are never subjects. 2. A compound subject joined by "and" is plural.)
Either the principal or the two science teachers (was, were) going to write a summary of the recent science fair for the school website.
were (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
The pack of spectators (was, were) running off in directions to escape the charging bulls.
were (In this sentence, the collective noun "pack" is plural because THEY are "running off in directions".)
The many mistakes made by the tour guide in giving directions (was, were) the reason we fired him.
were (The subject is "mistakes", NOT "reason".)
(Is, Are) the tweezers in the drawer?
Are (Do NOT replace subjects with two pieces, like "tweezers", "scissors", "pliers" and "pants", with a pronoun. Instead, just say the subject in front of the verb.)
What question do you ask to find the subject of a sentence, and when do you ask it?
Ask "who" or "what" before the verb to find the subject. (The subject will NOT be in a prepositional phrase.)
(Have, Has) your mother or father signed the permission slip so you can go on the class field trip?
has (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Devon's excuses for not completing his assignments on time always (amuses, amuse) me.
amuse ("Excuses" is the subject.)
Neither the coughing muffler nor the squeaky brakes (annoy, annoys) Sierra as much as the cracked windshield.
annoy (For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Each of my brothers (annoy, annoys) me with (his, their) bad habits, like nose-picking at the dinner table and spitting on the sidewalk.
annoys, his (1. "Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun. 2. Since the second choice refers to the singular "each", the singular "his" is needed to match.)
Some of the grain (appear, appears) to be contaminated.
appears ("Some" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun[ASMAN] so base the verb on "grain".)
Where (are, is) the gifts that I deserve for washing all the smashed insects off the front of your car?
are ("Where", "Here", and "There" are never subjects.)
All of the students, even Gabe, (are, is) capable of passing the upcoming test.
are (1. "All" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "students". 2. Ignore intervening expressions.)
Here (is, are) the DVD and novel I told you about.
are (1. "Here", "There", and "Where" are never subjects. 2. A compound subject joined by "and" is plural.)
Mr. Holland told the student, "There (are, is) way too many errors in this essay for it to earn a passing grade."
are (1. "There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects. 2. "Errors" is the subject.)
Today's Daily Prophet claims that there (is, are) photos of Professor Dumbledore battling Master Yoda.
are (1. "There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects. 2. The subject is "photos".)
Because there (are, is) so many students in that class, Kody can sometime sleep without being noticed.
are (1. "There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects. 2. The subject is "students".)
He seems to forget that there (are, is) things to be done before he can graduate.
are (1. "There", "here", and "where" are never subjects. 2. The subject is "things".)
Where (are, is) the catcher and the pitcher?
are (1. "Where", "Here", and "There" are never subjects. 2. Compound subjects joined by "and" are plural.)
Where (is, are) the gas mask and HAZMAT gloves? It's time to change the litter box.
are (1. "Where", "There", and "Here" are never subjects. 2. Compound subjects joined with "and" are plural.)
On the menu there (is, are) four pictures of the desserts offered.
are (1. "there", "here", and "where" are never subjects. 2. "Pictures" is the subject.)
(Where's, Where are) the scissors?
are (1. Ignore "Where". 2. Do NOT replace subjects with two pieces like "scissors", "pliers", and glasses". Instead, just say the subject in front of the verb.)
(Here's, Here are) the shorts I purchases at the mall.
are (1. Ignore "here". 2. Do NOT replace subjects with two pieces like "shorts", "pants", and "binoculars". Instead, just say the subject in front of the verb.)
(There's, There are) the glasses you were searching for.
are (1. Ignore "there". 2. Do NOT replace a subject with two pieces like "glasses", "pliers", or "scissors" with a pronoun. Instead, just say the subject in front of the verb.)
All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.
are (1. Ignore intervening expressions. 2. "All" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "CDs".)
Rich and his wife Tina (is, are) traveling across the country next summer.
are (A compound subject joined with "and" is plural.)
Your pants (is, are) at the cleaners.
are (Do NOT replace subjects with two pieces, like "pants, "scissors", "pliers", and "shorts", with a pronoun. Instead, just say the subject in front of the verb.)
The twisters that tear through the Midwest every spring (is, are) more than just a nuisance.
are (The subject "twisters" is plural.)
The star attractions at the museum (is, are) the art.
are (The subject is "attractions", NOT "art".)
(Is, Are) brownies Vanessa's favorite dessert?
are (The subject is "brownies", NOT "dessert".)
Speeding trucks (are, is) one reason for the abundance of fresh produce in grocery stores.
are (The subject is "trucks", NOT "reason".)
For the trial of the mafia boss, the jury (arrive, arrives) in a bulletproof van.
arrives (For this sentence, the collective noun "jury" refers to a single unit.)
Not one of the students failing the course (ask, asks) the teacher for additional help.
asks ("One" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Either my shoes or your coat (are, is) always on the floor.
is (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Sarah (doesn't, don't) know the answer.
does (Take out "not" when selecting the answer.)
The natives believe that noise, smoke, and dancing (drive, drives) away evil spirits.
drive (Compound subjects joined by "and" are plural.)
Each of the captive orcas (eat, eats) between 150 to 300 pounds of food a day.
eats ("Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
The news about Grandma's surgery (encourage, encourages) us so far.
encourages ("News" is singular.)
Neither the spoiled chimpanzees nor the pampered gorillas (enjoy, enjoys) bananas without ice cream, chocolate sauce, and chopped nut.
enjoy (For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
One thousand pounds of jelly beans (fills, fill) the bed of Ty's truck.
fills ("One thousand pounds" is a single amount.)
Physics (give, gives) Brooklyn many headaches because she has to solve long, difficult word problems.
gives (Certain nouns ending in -ics like "physics", "aeronautics", and "mathematics" are singular.)
Gerard, together with his trusty pug Lolita, (goes, go) walking through town every day, even in the rain.
goes (Ignore intervening expressions.)
The baker, together with his wife, (greet, greets) customers cordially.
greets (Ignore intervening expressions.)
Each of the bingo players (has, have) a chance to win.
has ("Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Everyone selected to serve on the jury (has, have) to be willing to give up a lot of time.
has ("Everyone" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Some of the milk in the refrigerator (have, has) gone bad.
has ("Some" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "milk".)
Somebody in Sophomore College-Bound English (have, has) submitted a research paper about colonizing Mars.
has ("Somebody" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Every freshman , sophomore, junior, and senior (has, have) to take at least one English class every semester.
has (If "each" or "every" is in front of a compound subject, the verb is singular because the subject is implying "every ONE".)
Mr. Strangeworth, along with his two sisters, (have, has) lived in this town for 30 years.
has (Ignore intervening expressions.)
The whole red ant colony, including the queen and all of her drones, (has, have) swarmed over Tommy's feet, stinging his ankles.
has (In this sentence, the collective noun "colony" refers to a single unit.)
Several of the GCHS seniors (have, has) applied for enrollment at Indiana University.
have ("Several" is a plural indefinite pronoun.)
There (have, has) to be some people left in that town after yesterday's flood.
have ("There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects. 2. "People" is the subject.)
There (have, has) been entirely too many students using electronic devices in the hallways.
have ("There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects.)
Either a bowl of soup or cups of coffee (has, have) boiled over in the microwave.
have (1. "Of soup" and "of coffee" are prepositional phrases. 2. For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Under the car seat are two notebooks that my brother (has, have) been missing for three weeks.
have (1. "Under the car seat" is a prepositional phrase. 2. The subordinate clause "that my brother has/have been missing for three weeks" refers to "notebooks", a plural noun.)
The family (have, has) met their various obligations.
have (Because "their" indicates "family" is referring to the family members separately, the collective noun is plural.)
After all these years in print, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" still (hold, holds) the reader's attention.
holds (Titles are singular.)
Everyone on the rollercoaster, including Betsy and Paige, (hope, hopes) the hot dogs, onion rings, funnel cake, and cotton candy will stay down during the twisting ride to come.
hopes (1. "Everyone" is a singular indefinite pronoun. 2. Ignore intervening expressions.)
Each and every student and instructor in this building (hope, hopes) for a new facility by next year.
hopes (If "each" or "every" is in front of a compound subject, the verb is singular because the subject is implying "each ONE".)
My favorite dessert (is, are) strawberries and cream.
is ("Dessert" is the subject.)
Since I cannot get out of work this evening, either of you (is, are) welcome to my concert ticket.
is ("Either" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Mumps (are, is) less common now that kids can be inoculated.
is ("Mumps" is a single disease.)
Neither of my two suitcases (are, is) adequate for this trip.
is ("Neither" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Neither of the hanging baskets my sister suggested I buy (are, is) attractive.
is ("Neither" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Every one of these books (are, is) fiction.
is ("One" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
One of my sisters (are, is) going on a trip to France.
is ("One" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Three-quarters of the student body (is, are) against the creation of a rice cake bar.
is ("Three-quarters" is a single amount.)
Among Nicole's favorite movies (are, is) "48 Hours".
is (1. "Among Nicole's favorite movies" is a prepositional phrase. 2. Titles are singular.)
Among the fundamental rights we cherish (is, are) freedom of speech.
is (1. "Among the fundamental rights" is a prepositional phrase. 2. "Freedom" is the subject.)
Where (is, are) the missing set of car keys?
is (1. "There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects. 2. "Set" is the subject.)
Under no circumstances (is, are) a student allowed to use his cellphone during English class.
is (1. "Under no circumstances" is a prepositional phrase. 2. "Student" is the subject.)
Measles (is, are) contagious.
is (Although it ends in -s, "measles" is a single disease.)
Eight dollars (are, is) the price for a movie ticket these days.
is (Amounts of money or measurements are singular.)
Four years (are, is) a long time to spend away from your family and friends.
is (Amounts of money or measurements are singular.)
One-and-a-half tons (is, are) equal to 3,306 pounds.
is (Amounts of money or measurements are singular.)
Politics (is, are) sometimes a dirty business.
is (Certain nouns ending in "-ics" like "politics", "genetics", and "aeronautics" are always singular.)
Either the University of Connecticut women's basketball team or the University of Connecticut men's basketball team (are, is) going to be national champion this year.
is (For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer. 2. In this sentence, the collective noun "team" refers to a single unit.)
Either the fried oyster sandwich or the shrimp pizza (is, are) the best choice for lunch at Barnacle Bill's Seafood Restaurant.
is (For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Neither Ashley nor Bailey (is, are) going to basketball camp this summer.
is (For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Neither the ingredients nor the appearance (is, are) neglected in a fine dish.
is (For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
There (is, are) many ways to study for a vocabulary quiz.
are ("There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects.)
When there (is, are) thunderstorms approaching, we are always reminded of the threat of tornados.
are ("There", "Here", and "Where" are never subjects.)
When Dad is angry, there (are, is) fire flickering in his eyes and smoke escaping his ears.
are ("There", "here", and "where" are never subjects. 2. Because the compound subjects "fire" and "smoke" are joined by "and", the verb is plural.)
All of the teachers at my school (is, are) in favor of a one-week Fall Break.
are ("All" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "teachers".)
Few of the students in the class (are, is) prepared to take the vocabulary quiz.
are ("Few" is a plural indefinite pronoun.)
Many of the Star Wars action figures on the shelf (are, is) in pristine condition.
are ("Many" is a plural indefinite pronoun.)
Some of the beads (is, are) gone.
are ("Some" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "beads").
Recent studies on the behavior of the elusive Bigfoot (are, is) his topic.
are ("Studies" is the subject, NOT "topic".)
Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.
is (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
The committee (believes, believe) that waiting until everyone arrives is more important than starting on time.
believes (In this sentence, the collective noun "committee" is referring to a single unit.)
Neither a pleasant atmosphere nor polite servers (bring, brings) customers to a restaurant if the cuisine is lousy.
bring (For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
Neither wealth nor fame always (brings, bring) the happiness that you might expect.
brings (For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.
Neither the nurses nor Dr. Balser (buy, buys) soup at the hospital cafeteria.
buys (For compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
From the hospital cafeteria (come, comes) the palest tomatoes, the driest lettuce, and the most nuclear-green pickle slices that you will ever see.
come (1. "From the hospital cafeteria" is a prepositional phrase. 2. Compound subjects joined by "and" are plural.)
The committee (come, comes) from all parts of the city so we usually have to start late because so many members get stuck in traffic.
come (In this sentence, the collective noun "committee" is plural because it is referring to the "members" separately.)
The issues of inflation and tax reform (continue, continues) to be on politicians' minds.
continue (The subject is "issues".)
On the tables in the library (crawl, crawls) the many germs that have escaped in the hot breath of hardworking students.
crawl (1. The sentence starts with two prepositional phrases. 2. The subject is "germs".)
This is one of those novels that (deal, deals) with espionage.
deal (The subordinate clause "that deal/deals with espionage" is describing "novels", a plural noun.)
The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.
debates (In this sentence, the collective noun "committee" is regarded as a single unit.)
Even after carefully considering the evidence for several days, the jury still (disagree, disagrees) about the alleged guilt of the mob kingpin.
disagree (In this sentence, the collective noun "jury" is plural because it is not referring to group as a single unit. A single unit can not disagree.)
Not only the Zorteks from Saturn but also the Martian ambassador (disapprove, disapproves) of the unfriendly greeting from the United Nations.
disapproves (For compound subjects joined with two-part conjunctions like "either...or" and "not only...but also", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
If any of the students (do, does) not understand, they should consult the teacher.
do ("Any" is a singular or plural indefinite pronoun [ASMAN] so base the verb on "students".)
Why (don't, doesn't) that junior and senior try out for the football team?
do (1. Take out "not" when selecting the answer. 2. Compound subjects joined by "and" are plural.)
Either Trent or his two daughters (do, does) the laundry on the weekends.
do (For compound subjects joined with "or" or "nor", the subject closest to the verb determines the answer.)
(Does, Do) each of the restaurant's daytime employees work 40 hours a week?
does ("Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun.)
Mathematics (doesn't, don't) appeal to all students.
does (1. Take out "not" when selecting the answer. 2. Certain nouns ending in -ics like "mathematics", "civics", and "aeronautics" are singular.)
Lane (doesn't, don't) like the new tardy policy.
does (Take out "not" when selecting the answer.)
