Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement seems trivial — singular subject, singular verb — but the SAT loves to hide the real subject behind interrupting phrases that *look* plural. Master the strip-and-match technique and these become point-blank.
| Trap | Example | Right answer |
|---|---|---|
| Interrupting prepositional phrase | *The list of demands ___ long.* | *is* (subject = *list*, singular) |
| Indefinite pronoun | *Each of the students ___ a book.* | *has* (each = singular) |
| *Neither / either* | *Neither the boys nor the girl ___ here.* | *is* (matches *girl*, the closer one) |
| Collective noun | *The committee ___ deciding.* | *is* (committee = singular when acting as one) |
| *There is/are* | *There ___ five answers.* | *are* (subject = *answers*, plural) |
Inverted sentences. When the verb comes before the subject (questions, there is/are), the verb still agrees with the real subject:
There __ several reasons. → are (subject is reasons, plural).
Strip prepositional phrases first to find the real subject. Match the verb to that subject — even if a closer-sounding plural noun tries to fool you.
The novelist, who _______ three bestsellers before turning forty, credits her prolific output to a disciplined daily writing routine.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Worked examples
Choose the correct verb form.
The collection of rare manuscripts that was donated to the library by the historian's estate ___ being cataloged.
Choose the correct verb form.
Neither the players nor the coach ___ satisfied with the team's performance this season.
Common pitfalls
The list of demands — the verb agrees with list (singular), not demands. Always strip prepositional phrases between subject and verb.
These are SINGULAR even when they refer to a group. Each of the students has a pencil (not have). Everyone is here (not are).
The verb agrees with the closer subject. Neither the books nor the magazine is in the bag (matches magazine). Reverse the order and you get Neither the magazine nor the books are in the bag.
The team, the jury, the family are usually singular on the SAT — they act as one unit. The team is winning. Use plural only if the sentence emphasizes individual members (The team are arguing among themselves).
Key takeaways
Strip prepositional phrases between subject and verb to find the real subject.
Each, every, everyone, anyone, no one are SINGULAR.
Neither/either ... nor/or — verb agrees with the CLOSER subject.
Collective nouns (team, jury) are usually singular on the SAT.
There is/are — the subject comes after; match the verb to that subject.
Try it yourself
5 practice questions on Subject-Verb Agreement, drawn from the question bank. The tutor is one click away if you get stuck.