Do your subjects and verbs agree? Find out with this 10-question quiz!

Spaghetti and meatballs ____ (is, are) Tiffany's favorite meal.

are

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

This is an example of how a noun that looks plural can act as a singular. Even with the meatballs, it's a singular dish.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

This is an example of how a noun that looks plural can act as a singular. Even with the meatballs, it's a singular dish.

One percent of the students _____ (fails, fail) Spanish each year.

fails

fail

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Don't be distracted by the "one" in "one percent." This is not the same thing as "one" by itself.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Don't be distracted by the "one" in "one percent." This is not the same thing as "one" by itself.

Because of the blizzard, a number of local businesses ____ (was, were) closed yesterday.

was

were

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Sometimes people see the word "number" and think, Aha! A singular noun requires a singular verb. But "number" with the word "a" in front of it refers to a plural quantity. It sounds bizarre to try to combine it with a singular verb.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

The majority of the children ____ (has, have) already finished their chocolate bars.

has

have

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

When "majority" is followed by a plural countable noun, use a plural verb. Here's an example where you do not have a plural countable noun, and the writer uses a singular verb instead:

The majority of the cheese is spoiled.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

When "majority" is followed by a plural countable noun, use a plural verb. Here's an example where you do not have a plural countable noun, and the writer uses a singular verb instead:

The majority of the cheese is spoiled.

The number of pet-supply stores just _____ (keep, keeps) growing.

keep

keeps

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

"The number" is used with a singular verb. "A number" is used with a plural verb.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

"The number" is used with a singular verb. "A number" is used with a plural verb.

Each of you ____ (has, have) contributed a great deal to the workshop today.

has

have

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

"Each" is conjugated with a singular verb.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

"Each" is conjugated with a singular verb.

Six months ____ (is, are) too long to wait for approval.

are

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

"Six months" sounds pretty plural, but it is a single block of time. This question is meant to illustrate how elements that appear plural can be singular in nature and are best matched with a singular verb—in this case, "is."

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Mariel, along with Fred and Allegra, ____ (is, are) going to help us set up the exhibit.

are

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

The subject is the content before the "along with," so stick with the singular verb here. If you don't like the way it sounds—and we don't—structure the subject differently. For example:

Mariel, Fred, and Allegra are going to help us set up the exhibit.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

The subject is the content before the "along with," so stick with the singular verb here. If you don't like the way it sounds—and we don't—structure the subject differently. For example:

Mariel, Fred, and Allegra are going to help us set up the exhibit.

Martha is one of the few people who _____ (know, knows) how to operate the equipment.

know

knows

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

"Who" refers back to "people," so use a plural verb. Multiple people know how to operate the equipment!

Don't be distracted by the singular elements: (1) Martha, (2) "is," and (3) "one." Yes, Martha is singular, but she already has her own verb: "is."

The word "one" is a subject complement, modified by the prepositional phrase "of the few people." The relative clause "who know how to operate the equipment" modifies "people."

That’s correct! Here’s why:

"Who" refers back to "people," so use a plural verb. Multiple people know how to operate the equipment!

Don't be distracted by the singular elements: (1) Martha, (2) "is," and (3) "one." Yes, Martha is singular, but she already has her own verb: "is."

The word "one" is a subject complement, modified by the prepositional phrase "of the few people." The relative clause "who know how to operate the equipment" modifies "people."

Is the verb "have" acceptable in this example?

None of the neighbors have arrived yet.

yes

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Many people learned, or at least recall learning, that "none" is singular and must be used with a singular verb. That just isn't true. "None" can mean "not one" or "not any." In the latter sense and when followed by a plural countable noun, it is perfectly reasonable, and typically more natural, to use a plural verb. Though it's not wrong, not many people would spontaneously utter, "None of the neighbors HAS arrived yet."

That’s correct! Here’s why: