Subject-Verb Agreement — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. The collection of vintage stamps that my grandfather inherited from his cousins ___ surprisingly valuable to collectors.
A) are
B) is
C) have been
D) were
The subject is 'collection,' a singular noun, so it takes the singular verb 'is' despite the plural distractors that follow.
2. Neither the captain of the soccer team nor the assistant coaches ___ available to help set up cones today.
A) is
B) was
C) are
D) has been
When subjects are joined by 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject. 'Coaches' is plural, so 'are' is correct.
3. One of the after-school clubs that meets regularly in the gymnasium ___ a fundraiser planned for May.
A) have
B) has
C) are having
D) having
The simple subject is the singular pronoun 'one,' so the verb must be singular: 'has.' The relative clause adds detail only.
4. Each of the fifth-grade students, along with the teachers and the principal, ___ invited to attend the assembly.
A) are
B) were
C) is
D) have been
'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun, and prepositional phrases like 'along with' do not change agreement, so 'is' is correct.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The box of art supplies that the students keep in the classroom closet has been restocked already.
Long prepositional and relative phrases can hide the simple subject. 'Box' is singular, so it takes singular 'has.'
2. Either the science teacher or her two student helpers set the microscopes ready before the lab.
With 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the nearest subject. Plural 'helpers' takes a plural verb like 'set.'
3. Every one of the players on both fifth-grade volleyball teams needs to bring a refilled water bottle.
'Every one' (two words) emphasizes individuals and is singular, so it takes a singular verb with the -s ending.
4. The flock of geese that flies south every autumn has already passed over our town this week.
Collective nouns like flock are singular when the group acts as one unit, so the singular verb 'has' is correct.
5. Some of the homework that the substitute teacher assigned to the fifth graders is already finished.
'Some' is singular when it refers to an uncountable noun like 'homework' and plural when it refers to countable nouns.