Grade: Grade 6 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Conventions Practice Lesson: 4 of 6 SAT: StandardEnglishConventions ACT: English

Subject-Verb Agreement

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Subjects and verbs must agree in number. A singular subject needs a singular verb; a plural subject needs a plural verb. The SAT and ACT often test tricky agreement situations.

Basic Rule

  • Singular: The dog runs fast. (one dog)
  • Plural: The dogs run fast. (multiple dogs)

Tricky Situation 1: Words Between Subject and Verb

Ignore phrases that come between the subject and verb.

  • Correct: The box of cookies is on the table. (box is singular)
  • Correct: The players on the team are practicing. (players is plural)

Tricky Situation 2: Compound Subjects

  • With "and": Tom and Jerry are friends. (plural)
  • With "or/nor": Neither the teacher nor the students were ready. (verb agrees with closer subject)

Tricky Situation 3: Indefinite Pronouns

  • Always singular: each, everyone, everybody, anyone, nobody, someone, something, either, neither
  • Example: Everyone is here. Each of the students has a book.
  • Always plural: both, few, many, several
  • Example: Few are chosen. Many have tried.

Tricky Situation 4: Inverted Sentences

When the subject comes after the verb, find the subject first.

  • Correct: There are many reasons. (reasons is plural)
  • Correct: Here is the answer. (answer is singular)

Tricky Situation 5: Collective Nouns

Words like team, group, family, class can be singular or plural depending on meaning.

  • Acting as one: The team is winning. (one unit)
  • Acting individually: The team are arguing among themselves. (individuals)

Practice Questions

Choose the correct verb form.

Question 1

The list of items (is/are) on the desk.

Question 2

Each of the students (has/have) completed the assignment.

Question 3

Neither the coach nor the players (was/were) satisfied with the result.

Question 4

There (is/are) several options to consider.

Question 5

The group of scientists (is/are) presenting their findings today.

Question 6

Everyone in the classes (need/needs) to bring a pencil.

Question 7

The news about the storms (worry/worries) the farmers.

Question 8

Either the manager or the employees (is/are) responsible.

Question 9

Many of the books on the shelf (belong/belongs) to the library.

Question 10

The committee (has/have) reached a unanimous decision.

Answer Key

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1. is - "List" is singular; ignore "of items"

2. has - "Each" is always singular

3. were - With "neither...nor," verb agrees with closer subject (players)

4. are - "Options" is plural; "there" is not the subject

5. is - "Group" is singular when acting as one unit

6. needs - "Everyone" is always singular

7. worries - "News" is singular (looks plural but isn't)

8. are - With "either...or," verb agrees with closer subject (employees)

9. belong - "Many" is always plural

10. has - "Committee" acting as one unit (unanimous)