Tricky Subject-Verb Agreement Examples in Complex Sentences

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔍 Basic Agreement: Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
• 🧩 Intervening Phrases: Phrases between the subject and verb (e.g., "along with," "as well as") don't change the subject number.
• 🤝 Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by "and" are usually plural.
• 🤔 Either/Or, Neither/Nor: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
• 🌟 Collective Nouns: Can be singular or plural depending on whether they act as a unit or as individuals.
• 🔢 Quantity Words: Words like "all," "some," "none," "most" can be singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to.
• 📍 Relative Clauses: The verb in a relative clause agrees with the noun the clause refers to.

✍️ Practice Quiz

1. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
   1. The team of scientists are presenting their findings.
   2. The team of scientists is presenting its findings.
   3. The team of scientists were presenting their findings.
   4. The team of scientists am presenting their findings.
2. Neither the students nor the teacher _____ happy with the results.
   1. are
   2. is
   3. were
   4. be
3. All of the cake _____ gone.
   1. are
   2. is
   3. were
   4. be
4. The books, including the rare first edition, _____ on the shelf.
   1. was
   2. is
   3. are
   4. be
5. A number of students _____ absent today.
   1. is
   2. are
   3. was
   4. be
6. The committee _____ divided in their opinion.
   1. is
   2. are
   3. was
   4. be
7. Each of the participants _____ given a certificate.
   1. were
   2. are
   3. was
   4. is