Subject-Verb Agreement — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement: 'The bag of cookies ___ on the kitchen counter.'
A) are sitting
B) is sitting
C) were sitting
D) have sat
The subject is 'bag' (singular), not 'cookies'. Prepositional phrases don't affect agreement, so the verb is 'is sitting'.
2. Which sentence is correct? 'Neither the teacher nor the students ___ ready for the test.'
A) is
B) was
C) are
D) has
With 'neither/nor', the verb matches the nearest subject. 'Students' is closest and plural, so the verb is 'are'.
3. Pick the correct verb: 'Here ___ the keys you were looking for this morning.'
A) is
B) was
C) are
D) has
The true subject is 'keys' (plural), which comes after 'here'. The verb must agree with keys, so it is 'are'.
4. Choose the correct sentence: 'Either my mom or my sisters ___ picking me up after school.'
A) is
B) are
C) was
D) has
With 'either/or', the verb matches the nearer subject. 'Sisters' is closer and plural, so the verb is 'are'.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. There are many reasons to recycle plastic and paper at home.
The true subject is 'reasons' (plural), so the verb must be plural: are.
2. The box of old photographs is stored in the attic.
The subject is 'box' (singular). The prepositional phrase doesn't change the verb, so it stays singular: is.
3. Neither the dogs nor the cat is in the yard right now.
The closer subject is 'cat' (singular), so the verb is 'is'.
4. Here is the answer to the math problem we discussed yesterday.
The true subject is 'answer' (singular), so the verb is 'is'.
5. Either the players or the coach is going to speak first.
The closer subject is 'coach' (singular), so the verb is 'is'.