Agreement - ACT English

1. Which verb agrees: 'Half of the pie ___ eaten.'

   was. 'Pie' is singular, so 'half' takes singular verb.

2. Identify the correct verb: "Neither the teachers nor the principal (is/are) attending."

   is. "Principal" (singular) is closer to the verb.

3. Identify the correct verb: "The team (wins/win) every year."

   wins. "Team" is singular, so it takes the singular verb form.

4. Identify the correct verb: 'The United States ___ a large country.'

   is. Country names are singular even if they sound plural.

5. Choose the correct verb: 'Many a student ___ tried this.'

   has. 'Many a' always requires singular verb form.

6. What is the rule for pronoun agreement with 'everyone'?

   Use singular pronouns with 'everyone.'. 'Everyone' is singular despite referring to multiple people.

7. Identify the correct verb: "Either the principal or the teachers (is/are) attending."

   are. "Teachers" (plural) is closer to the verb.

8. What is the agreement rule when a prepositional phrase sits between subject and verb?

   Ignore the prepositional phrase; match the verb to the main subject. Prepositional phrases don't affect verb agreement.

9. Identify the correct verb: 'Twenty percent of the cake ___ gone.'

   is. 'Cake' is singular, so percentage takes singular verb.

10. What is the agreement rule for amounts of time, money, and distance as a unit?

    Treat the amount as singular when it functions as one unit. Amounts function as single quantities, not individual items.

11. Correct the error: 'The number of participants are growing.'

    Correct: 'The number of participants is growing.'. 'The number of' is singular; 'a number of' is plural.

12. Identify the error: 'None of the cookies is left.'

    Correct: 'None of the cookies are left.'. 'Cookies' is countable plural, so 'none' takes the plural verb 'are.'

13. Identify the error: 'The scissors is on the table.'

    Correct: 'The scissors are on the table.'. 'Scissors' is naturally plural and takes plural verb.

14. What is the rule for subject-verb agreement with 'some'?

    'Some' can be singular or plural based on the noun it refers to. With countable nouns, 'some' is plural; with uncountable, singular.

15. What determines the verb in 'more than one' constructions?

    Treat as singular, even if it seems plural. 'More than one' is grammatically singular despite logical plurality.

16. Identify the verb agreement error: 'Neither of the options were good.'

    Correct: 'Neither of the options was good.'. 'Neither' is singular and requires the singular verb 'was.'

17. What is the agreement rule for plural-only nouns (e.g., "scissors," "pants")?

    Use a plural verb unless the noun is measured as "a pair of.". These nouns are inherently plural in meaning.

18. What is the rule for agreement with 'many a'?

    Takes a singular verb. 'Many a' construction always takes singular verb.

19. Identify the pronoun error: 'The committee made their decision.'

    Correct: 'The committee made its decision.'. 'Committee' is singular, so it takes the singular pronoun 'its.'

20. Correct the agreement error: 'Several of the books is missing.'

    Correct: 'Several of the books are missing.'. 'Several' is plural and requires the plural verb 'are.'

21. Identify the correct verb: "Each of the players (is/are) ready."

    is. "Each" is always singular, requiring a singular verb.

22. What is the rule for agreement with percentages?

    Depends on noun: singular for singular, plural for plural. Percentages match the number of the following noun.

23. Which verb agrees: 'The committee ___ divided on the issue.'

    is. Collective noun acting as one unit takes singular verb.

24. Choose the correct verb: 'The number of participants ___ increasing.'

    is. 'The number of' takes singular verb (definite quantity).

25. Correct the error: 'Half of the cake were eaten.'

    Correct: 'Half of the cake was eaten.'. 'Cake' is singular, so 'half of the cake' takes the singular verb 'was.'

26. What is the agreement rule for subjects joined by "or" or "nor"?

    The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. "Or/nor" uses proximity agreement rule.

27. Choose the correct verb: "Five years (is/are) a long time."

    is. The time period is viewed as one duration.

28. Find the error: 'The only one of the options are valid.'

    Correct: 'The only one of the options is valid.'. 'The only one' is singular and requires the singular verb 'is.'

29. Identify the correct verb: 'Both the teacher and the students ___ present.'

    are. Compound subject with 'both...and' is plural.

30. Find and correct the error: 'The jury have reached their verdict.'

    Correct: 'The jury has reached its verdict.'. 'Jury' is a collective noun acting as one unit, so it's singular.

31. What is the agreement rule for titles of works (books, movies, songs) as subjects?

    Treat the title as singular and use a singular verb. Titles are considered single entities regardless of words.

32. Choose the correct verb: 'A number of students ___ missing.'

    are. 'A number of' means 'several' and takes plural verb.

33. Choose the correct verb: "The coach and the players (travels/travel) today."

    travel. Two distinct people create a plural subject.

34. What determines verb agreement in 'either/or' sentences?

    The subject closest to the verb determines agreement. The subject nearest the verb determines singular or plural agreement.

35. Identify the error: 'Where is my glasses?'

    Correct: 'Where are my glasses?'. 'Glasses' is plural and requires the plural verb 'are.'

36. Identify the correct verb: "There (is/are) many reasons to go."

    are. "Reasons" is plural, so use "are."

37. What is the agreement rule for compound subjects joined by "and"?

    Use a plural verb (unless the subject is treated as one unit). "And" typically creates a plural compound subject.

38. What is an example of a compound subject that takes a singular verb?

    Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast. When two items form one concept, they take a singular verb.

39. Choose the correct verb: "A pair of scissors (is/are) in the drawer."

    is. "Pair" makes the whole phrase singular.

40. Identify the error: 'Either the cats or the dog have eaten.'

    Correct: 'Either the cats or the dog has eaten.'. Verb matches nearest subject 'dog' (singular).

41. Identify the correct verb: 'The team ___ winning.'

    is. 'Team' is singular, requiring singular verb.

42. Identify the error: 'Both the teacher and the student is present.'

    Correct: 'Both the teacher and the student are present.'. Compound subjects joined by 'and' are plural and take plural verbs.

43. Identify the error: 'There is many reasons to celebrate.'

    Correct: 'There are many reasons to celebrate.'. Verb agrees with true subject 'reasons' (plural).

44. Choose the correct verb: "The scissors (is/are) on the table."

    are. "Scissors" is always grammatically plural.

45. What is the agreement rule for relative pronouns (who, that, which) as subjects?

    The verb agrees with the antecedent the pronoun refers to. The pronoun's referent determines verb agreement.

46. Which verb agrees: 'The pair of shoes ___ expensive.'

    is. 'Pair' is singular subject despite plural object.

47. Correct the sentence: 'Each of the players have a ball.'

    Correct: 'Each of the players has a ball.'. 'Each' is singular and requires the singular verb 'has.'

48. What is the agreement rule for nouns that look plural but are singular (e.g., "news")?

    Treat them as singular and use a singular verb. Appearance doesn't determine actual grammatical number.

49. Choose the correct verb: "Peanut butter and jelly (is/are) my lunch."

    is. This compound is treated as one sandwich type.

50. Find and correct the error: 'The jury were divided in their opinions.'

    Correct: 'The jury was divided in its opinion.'. Jury acts as one unit, so singular verb and pronoun.

51. Find the correct verb: "The director, along with the actors, (plans/plan) to travel."

    plans. "Director" is the main subject; "actors" is added.

52. Identify the correct verb: 'Mathematics ___ my favorite subject.'

    is. Subject names like 'Mathematics' are singular.

53. Correct the error: 'Neither the manager nor the employees is happy.'

    Correct: 'Neither the manager nor the employees are happy.'. With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the closer subject 'employees.'

54. Choose the correct verb: "The jury (argues/argue) among themselves."

    argue. Individual members disagree, so plural verb fits.

55. Identify the error: 'Here is the reports you asked for.'

    Correct: 'Here are the reports you asked for.'. 'Reports' is plural, so the verb should be 'are' not 'is.'

56. Which pronoun agrees: 'Somebody left ___ umbrella.'

    his or her. 'Somebody' is singular indefinite pronoun.

57. What is the rule for agreement with fractions (e.g. "half of the class" or "1/3 of the runners")?

    Agreement depends on the noun following the fraction. If the noun after the fraction is singular, use singular; if plural, use plural.

58. Find and correct the error: 'The data is accurate.'

    Correct: 'The data are accurate.'. 'Data' is plural form, requires plural verb.

59. What is subject-verb agreement?

    Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the basic grammar rule for matching singular/plural forms.

60. Identify the error: 'Neither of the dogs are barking.'

    Correct: 'Neither of the dogs is barking.'. 'Neither' is singular, requiring singular verb 'is'.

61. When should 'is' be used instead of 'are'?

    'Is' is used with singular subjects. 'Is' matches singular subjects; 'are' matches plural subjects.

62. Choose the correct verb: "The jury (deliberates/deliberate) as a group."

    deliberates. The jury acts as one unified body here.

63. What is the agreement rule for indefinite pronouns like "everyone" and "each"?

    They are singular and take singular verbs. These pronouns always refer to individuals singularly.

64. Correct the error: 'More than one person were late.'

    Correct: 'More than one person was late.'. 'More than one' takes singular verbs by grammatical convention.

65. Which verb agrees: "The list of rules (is/are) on the wall."

    is. "List" is the singular subject, not "rules."

66. What is the agreement rule for subjects like 'scissors'?

    Take plural verbs unless preceded by 'pair'. Naturally plural words take plural verbs.

67. What is the agreement rule for subjects with "along with," "as well as," or "together with"?

    The verb agrees with the first subject, not the added phrase. Added phrases don't change the main subject's number.

68. What is the agreement rule for collective nouns such as "jury" or "family"?

    Usually singular when acting as one unit; plural when acting individually. Context determines whether the group acts together or separately.

69. What is the core rule of subject–verb agreement in a complete sentence?

    The verb must match the subject in number (singular or plural). This is the fundamental principle of grammar agreement.

70. What is the agreement rule for "there is/there are" constructions?

    The verb agrees with the noun that follows the verb. The noun after "there" determines verb number.

71. What is the rule for agreement with 'none'?

    'None' can be singular or plural based on context. 'None' follows the number of its object noun.

72. What is the agreement rule for subjects joined by 'or'?

    The verb agrees with the nearest subject. Verb agrees with the closer subject in or/nor constructions.

73. What is the subject-verb agreement rule for 'a lot of'?

    Agreement depends on the noun following 'a lot of.'. If the following noun is singular, use 'is'; if plural, use 'are.'

74. What is the agreement rule for 'either/or' constructions?

    Verb agrees with the subject closer to it. Verb agrees with subject closest to it.

75. What is the agreement rule for indefinite pronouns like 'everyone'?

    They take singular verbs and pronouns. Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' are always singular.

76. Find the correct verb: "The bouquet of roses (smell/smells) sweet."

    smells. "Bouquet" is the singular subject, not "roses."

77. What is the rule for agreement with collective nouns?

    Collective nouns take singular verbs unless acting individually. Collective nouns are singular when acting as one unit.

78. What is pronoun-antecedent agreement?

    Pronouns must agree in number with their antecedents. Pronouns must match their antecedents in number (singular/plural).

79. What is the subject-verb agreement rule for 'there is/are'?

    Verb agrees with the noun following 'there.'. The actual subject comes after 'there,' which determines verb agreement.

80. Choose the correct verb: "Everyone (has/have) a ticket."

    has. "Everyone" is always treated as singular.

81. Identify the correct verb: 'Every boy and girl ___ invited.'

    is. 'Every' makes compound subjects singular.

82. Identify the correct verb: "The Chronicles of Narnia (is/are) a series."

    is. The title represents one literary work.

83. Which pronoun agrees with 'everyone'?

    his or her. 'Everyone' is singular indefinite pronoun.

84. What is the agreement rule for "some," "all," "most," and "none"?

    Verb number depends on the noun they refer to. These pronouns vary based on what they reference.

85. Choose the correct verb: "Ten dollars (is/are) enough for lunch."

    is. The money amount is treated as one sum.

86. What is the agreement rule for 'the only one of' construction?

    Always singular, as it refers to just one entity. 'The only one' is always singular regardless of what follows.

87. Identify the correct verb: "All of the cookies (is/are) gone."

    are. "Cookies" is countable, so "all" acts plural.

88. What is subject-verb agreement in English grammar?

    Subject-verb agreement is matching the subject with the correct verb form. Verbs must match subjects in number (singular/plural).

89. Correct the agreement error: 'Both of them is ready.'

    Correct: 'Both of them are ready.'. 'Both' is plural and requires the plural verb 'are.'

90. Choose the correct verb: "She is the only one of the students who (works/work) late."

    works. "Who" refers to "one" (singular) due to "only."

91. Choose the correct verb: "Neither of the answers (is/are) correct."

    is. "Neither" is an indefinite pronoun, always singular.

92. Choose the correct pronoun: 'Each of the students brought ___ notebook.'

    his or her. 'Each' is singular, so pronoun must be singular.

93. Choose the correct verb: "She is one of the students who (works/work) late."

    work. "Who" refers to "students" (plural).

94. What is the rule for agreement in 'both/and' constructions?

    Use plural verbs. 'Both...and' always creates compound plural subjects.

95. Find the error: 'None of the information are accurate.'

    Correct: 'None of the information is accurate.'. 'Information' is uncountable, so 'none' is singular.

96. Identify the correct verb: "The news (is/are) surprising."

    is. "News" looks plural but functions as singular.

97. Choose the correct verb: 'Politics ___ an interesting subject.'

    is. Academic subjects ending in 's' are singular.

98. Identify the error: 'The team are winning.'

    Correct: 'The team is winning.'. Collective nouns like 'team' are singular and take singular verbs.

99. Choose the correct verb: 'Neither the teacher nor the students ___ here.'

    are. With 'neither...nor', verb matches nearest subject 'students'.

100. Choose the verb: 'Each of the books ___ on the shelf.'

     is. 'Each of' takes singular verb regardless of prepositional object.

101. Identify the correct verb: "There (is/are) a reason to go."

     is. "Reason" is singular, so use "is."

102. Identify the error: 'Neither the teacher nor the students is here.'

     Correct: 'Neither the teacher nor the students are here.'. Verb agrees with nearest subject 'students' (plural).

103. Identify the correct verb: "All of the cake (is/are) gone."

     is. "Cake" is uncountable, so "all" acts singular.

104. Choose the correct verb: 'The news ___ surprising.'

     is. 'News' is singular despite ending in 's'.

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