Subject-Verb Agreement
Match a verb to its true subject, even when other words sit in between.
Introduction
ACT English tests subject-verb agreement constantly, usually by hiding the real subject behind a phrase that sounds like it should control the verb.
Theory
Find the TRUE subject of the verb, ignoring any prepositional phrase or descriptive phrase in between. Words like "each," "every," "one," and "neither" are always singular, no matter what plural noun follows them in a phrase like "each of the students."
A good trick: mentally delete the phrase between the subject and the verb, then check if the sentence still sounds right.
Examples
Example: "Each of the students in the advanced class has completed their project." Deleting "of the students in the advanced class" leaves "Each ... has completed" — clearly singular, so "has" is correct, not "have."
Example: "The list of ingredients was printed on the box." Deleting "of ingredients" leaves "The list ... was printed" — singular, so "was" is correct.
Practice
Check your understanding 1
Choose the correct verb: "The box of old photographs __ in the attic."
Check your understanding 2
Choose the correct verb: "Neither of the answers __ correct."
Common mistakes
Matching the verb to the closest noun instead of the true subject — writers often default to whatever noun sits right before the verb, even when that noun is inside a describing phrase, not the actual subject.
Where to go next
Practise this: drills for this topic in the question bank.