ACT Subject Verb Agreement Practice Questions with Answers

Mastering ACT Subject Verb Agreement is essential for scoring high on the English section, as it is one of the most frequently tested grammar rules on the exam. This concept requires that a singular subject must be paired with a singular verb, while a plural subject must be paired with a plural verb. While this sounds straightforward, the ACT often uses complex sentence structures, prepositional phrases, and indefinite pronouns to trick students into choosing the wrong verb form.

Concept Explanation

ACT Subject Verb Agreement is the grammatical rule stating that the number of the subject (singular or plural) must match the number of the verb. In English, singular verbs in the present tense typically end in "-s" (e.g., the dog runs), whereas plural verbs do not (e.g., the dogs run). To succeed on the ACT Prep journey, you must identify the true subject of a sentence, often ignoring "interrupters" like prepositional phrases or appositives that sit between the subject and the verb.

Key Rules to Remember

• Prepositional Phrases: Words like "of," "in," "with," and "by" often start phrases that describe a subject but are not part of it. For example, in the sentence "The box of chocolates is empty," the subject is "box," not "chocolates."
• Indefinite Pronouns: Words like each, everyone, anybody, someone, and nobody are always singular. Conversely, words like both, many, several, and few are always plural.
• Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by "and" are plural. Subjects joined by "or" or "nor" follow the number of the noun closest to the verb.
• Collective Nouns: Nouns like team, jury, committee, and family are usually treated as singular because they represent one unit.

A helpful strategy is to use the AI Question Generator to drill these specific patterns until they become second nature. Understanding these nuances is just as vital as mastering ACT English Practice Questions in general.

Solved Examples

Review these examples to see how to isolate the subject and choose the correct verb form.

1. Example: The collection of rare stamps (was/were) sold at the auction.
   1. Identify the subject: "The collection" is the subject. "Of rare stamps" is a prepositional phrase.
   2. Determine the number: "Collection" is singular.
   3. Choose the verb: The singular verb is "was."
   4. Final Sentence: The collection of rare stamps was sold at the auction.
2. Example: Neither the coach nor the players (is/are) ready for the game.
   1. Identify the rule: This uses "neither/nor." The verb must agree with the closest noun.
   2. Identify the closest noun: "Players" is the noun closest to the verb.
   3. Determine the number: "Players" is plural.
   4. Final Sentence: Neither the coach nor the players are ready for the game.
3. Example: Everyone in the choir (sings/sing) beautifully.
   1. Identify the subject: "Everyone" is an indefinite pronoun.
   2. Determine the number: "Everyone" is always singular.
   3. Choose the verb: Singular verbs in the present tense end in "-s."
   4. Final Sentence: Everyone in the choir sings beautifully.

Practice Questions

Test your knowledge with these ACT Subject Verb Agreement practice questions. Choose the correct verb in the parentheses.

1. The scientist, along with her assistants, (is/are) conducting a groundbreaking experiment in the lab.

2. A bouquet of yellow roses (brightens/brighten) the entire living room.

3. Either the witnesses or the defendant (has/have) to testify this afternoon.

4. Statistics (is/are) a difficult subject for many college freshmen to master.

5. Each of the students (was/were) given a personalized study plan for the upcoming exam.

6. There (is/are) several reasons why the project failed to meet its deadline.

7. The committee (decides/decide) on the winner of the scholarship every May.

8. Not only the students but also the teacher (enjoys/enjoy) the field trip to the museum.

9. The scissors (is/are) on the table next to the construction paper.

10. Most of the water in the reservoirs (has/have) evaporated due to the heatwave.

Answers & Explanations

1. Answer: is. The subject is "The scientist." The phrase "along with her assistants" is an additive phrase and does not make the subject plural. Since "scientist" is singular, use "is."
2. Answer: brightens. The subject is "bouquet," which is singular. "Of yellow roses" is a prepositional phrase that should be ignored.
3. Answer: has. When using "either/or," the verb agrees with the closer noun. "Defendant" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "has."
4. Answer: is. Some nouns that end in "-s," like statistics, physics, or news, are singular when referring to a field of study or a specific entity.
5. Answer: was. "Each" is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular. Even though "students" is plural, it is part of a prepositional phrase.
6. Answer: are. In "there is/there are" sentences, the subject follows the verb. "Reasons" is the plural subject, so "are" is correct.
7. Answer: decides. "Committee" is a collective noun acting as a single unit, which requires the singular verb "decides."
8. Answer: enjoys. With "not only/but also," the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. "Teacher" is singular, so use "enjoys."
9. Answer: are. Certain nouns like scissors, pants, and glasses are always plural unless preceded by "pair of."
10. Answer: has. For indefinite pronouns like "most," "some," or "all," the number is determined by the noun in the following prepositional phrase. "Water" is uncountable (singular), so use "has."

For more practice on similar grammar and logic topics, check out our guide on ACT Math Practice Questions or explore specific sections like ACT Word Problems Practice Questions.

1. Which of the following sentences contains a subject-verb agreement error?

• AThe group of hikers is lost in the woods.
• BNeither the cat nor the dogs wants to go outside.
• CEach of the applicants was interviewed.
• DThe results of the study are inconclusive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I identify the subject in a long ACT sentence?

To find the subject, first identify the verb and ask "who" or "what" is performing the action. Cross out prepositional phrases, appositives, and parenthetical expressions to reveal the simple subject.

Are collective nouns like "team" singular or plural?

In American English, which the ACT follows, collective nouns are almost always singular because they represent a single group acting in unison. You should use a singular verb unless the members of the group are acting individually.

What is the "closest noun" rule for subject-verb agreement?

The closest noun rule applies to subjects joined by "or," "nor," "either/or," or "neither/nor." The verb must agree with the number of the noun or pronoun located immediately before the verb.

Do prepositional phrases ever change the number of the subject?

Generally, no; the subject remains singular or plural regardless of what follows in a prepositional phrase. The only exceptions are pronouns like all, any, more, most, some, and none, where the object of the preposition determines the verb number.

How can I practice subject-verb agreement more effectively?

The most effective way is to use tools like the AI Exam Simulator to experience the pressure of timed questions. Consistent practice helps you recognize common ACT traps like inverted sentences and compound subjects.