SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Despite covering nearly five kilometers of uneven terrain before dawn, the team’s planned route are still deemed too arduous to traverse on foot.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

Correct:

Despite covering nearly five kilometers of uneven terrain before dawn, the team’s planned route is still deemed too arduous to traverse on foot.

RULE: Distance—treated as singular (Rule 4).

One of the dozens of manuscripts painstakingly reviewed by the committee is missing from the archive.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

RULE:

“One of the…” requires a singular verb (Rule 10).

A pair of ornate scissors, which were handcrafted by a renowned artisan last year, are currently misplaced in the workshop.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

CORRECT:

A pair of ornate scissors, which were handcrafted by a renowned artisan last year, is currently misplaced in the workshop.

RULE:

Nouns that refer to paired items take a singular verb (Rule 5).

Some of the students who arrived before sunrise, having completed their preliminary readings, are already discussing the case studies.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

RULE:

Quantifiers—verb agrees with the noun that follows (Rule 9).

Although the label advertises ten dollars as a bargain, few buyers realize that price are negotiable in this market.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

CORRECT:

Although the label advertises ten dollars as a bargain, few buyers realize that price is negotiable in this market.

RULE:

Money—treated as singular (Rule 4).

Either the interns who drafted the proposal or the senior analyst is expected to present the financial overview at tomorrow’s meeting.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

RULE:

“Either…or”—verb agrees with the subject closer to it (Rule 2).

Fifty percent of the grain shipment, which contained several contaminated batches, have already been quarantined by inspectors.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

CORRECT:

Fifty percent of the grain shipment, which contained several contaminated batches, has already been quarantined by inspectors.

RULE:

Percentages—verb agrees with the noun that follows (Rule 6).

The executive summary, together with its extensive appendices and footnotes, are expected to be submitted before the deadline.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

CORRECT:

The executive summary, together with its extensive appendices and footnotes, is expected to be submitted before the deadline.

RULE:

“Together with”—verb agrees with the main subject (Rule 7).

Nothing among the myriad challenges encountered during the expedition is insurmountable when the team works in unison.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

RULE:

Indefinite pronouns take a singular verb (Rule 8).

The cat that escaped from the shelter and the dog adopted last week is both featured in today’s “Pets of the Month” segment.

• CORRECT

• INCORRECT

Answer explanation

CORRECT:

The cat that escaped from the shelter and the dog adopted last week are both featured in today’s “Pets of the Month” segment.

RULE:

Subjects joined by “and” take a plural verb (Rule 1).