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.
The basic rule: a singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.
- The dog runs. (singular)
- The dogs run. (plural)
In English, third-person singular present-tense verbs end in -s (he runs, she walks, it flies). Plural and other persons don't (they run, you walk, I fly).
The trap: interrupting phrases. The SAT rarely tests dog runs directly — it tests whether you can find the subject when the sentence buries it under prepositional phrases.
"The list of demands ___ unreasonable."
The word right before the verb is demands (plural). But the real subject is list (singular) — of demands is a prepositional phrase modifying list. So the verb is is, not are.
| 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) |
The strip-and-match technique:
- Strip the prepositional and participial phrases — anything between the subject and the verb that's modifying the subject.
- Identify what's left. That's the real subject.
- Match the verb's number to that subject.
Tricky subjects to memorize:
- Each, every, everyone, anyone, somebody, no one — singular. Each of the students __ a pencil. → has, not have.
- Either... or, neither... nor — verb agrees with the closer subject. Either the teachers or the principal __ responsible. → is (matches principal).
- Collective nouns (team, jury, family) — usually singular when acting as one unit: The team is winning. Use plural only if emphasizing individual members.
- None, all, some, most, any — depends on the noun they refer to. None of the water is dirty (water = singular). None of the children are home (children = plural).
Tense and number both matter. A common SAT trap pairs the right number with the wrong tense (e.g. publishes singular but present, when the sentence demands past).
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.
Watch & learn
Curated Khan Academy walkthroughs on Subject-Verb Agreement. They're complementary to this lesson — watch one if a written explanation isn't clicking, or after to reinforce.
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.