Agreement - ACT English
Card 1 of 30
Correct the agreement error: 'Both of them is ready.'
Correct the agreement error: 'Both of them is ready.'
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Correct: 'Both of them are ready.'. 'Both' is plural and requires the plural verb 'are.'
Correct: 'Both of them are ready.'. 'Both' is plural and requires the plural verb 'are.'
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What is the agreement rule for 'the only one of' construction?
What is the agreement rule for 'the only one of' construction?
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Always singular, as it refers to just one entity. 'The only one' is always singular regardless of what follows.
Always singular, as it refers to just one entity. 'The only one' is always singular regardless of what follows.
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Find the error: 'The only one of the options are valid.'
Find the error: 'The only one of the options are valid.'
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Correct: 'The only one of the options is valid.'. 'The only one' is singular and requires the singular verb 'is.'
Correct: 'The only one of the options is valid.'. 'The only one' is singular and requires the singular verb 'is.'
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Choose the correct pronoun: 'Each of the students brought ___ notebook.'
Choose the correct pronoun: 'Each of the students brought ___ notebook.'
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his or her. 'Each' is singular, so pronoun must be singular.
his or her. 'Each' is singular, so pronoun must be singular.
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Which verb agrees: 'Half of the pie ___ eaten.'
Which verb agrees: 'Half of the pie ___ eaten.'
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was. 'Pie' is singular, so 'half' takes singular verb.
was. 'Pie' is singular, so 'half' takes singular verb.
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Choose the correct verb: 'The number of participants ___ increasing.'
Choose the correct verb: 'The number of participants ___ increasing.'
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is. 'The number of' takes singular verb (definite quantity).
is. 'The number of' takes singular verb (definite quantity).
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What is the agreement rule for subjects like 'scissors'?
What is the agreement rule for subjects like 'scissors'?
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Take plural verbs unless preceded by 'pair'. Naturally plural words take plural verbs.
Take plural verbs unless preceded by 'pair'. Naturally plural words take plural verbs.
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Find the error: 'None of the information are accurate.'
Find the error: 'None of the information are accurate.'
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Correct: 'None of the information is accurate.'. 'Information' is uncountable, so 'none' is singular.
Correct: 'None of the information is accurate.'. 'Information' is uncountable, so 'none' is singular.
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Which pronoun agrees: 'Somebody left ___ umbrella.'
Which pronoun agrees: 'Somebody left ___ umbrella.'
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his or her. 'Somebody' is singular indefinite pronoun.
his or her. 'Somebody' is singular indefinite pronoun.
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Choose the verb: 'Each of the books ___ on the shelf.'
Choose the verb: 'Each of the books ___ on the shelf.'
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is. 'Each of' takes singular verb regardless of prepositional object.
is. 'Each of' takes singular verb regardless of prepositional object.
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Identify the error: 'Either the cats or the dog have eaten.'
Identify the error: 'Either the cats or the dog have eaten.'
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Correct: 'Either the cats or the dog has eaten.'. Verb matches nearest subject 'dog' (singular).
Correct: 'Either the cats or the dog has eaten.'. Verb matches nearest subject 'dog' (singular).
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Choose the correct verb: 'Neither the teacher nor the students ___ here.'
Choose the correct verb: 'Neither the teacher nor the students ___ here.'
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are. With 'neither...nor', verb matches nearest subject 'students'.
are. With 'neither...nor', verb matches nearest subject 'students'.
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What is the subject-verb agreement rule for 'a lot of'?
What is the subject-verb agreement rule for 'a lot of'?
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Agreement depends on the noun following 'a lot of.'. If the following noun is singular, use 'is'; if plural, use 'are.'
Agreement depends on the noun following 'a lot of.'. If the following noun is singular, use 'is'; if plural, use 'are.'
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Correct the error: 'Neither the manager nor the employees is happy.'
Correct the error: 'Neither the manager nor the employees is happy.'
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Correct: 'Neither the manager nor the employees are happy.'. With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the closer subject 'employees.'
Correct: 'Neither the manager nor the employees are happy.'. With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the closer subject 'employees.'
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What determines verb agreement in 'either/or' sentences?
What determines verb agreement in 'either/or' sentences?
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The subject closest to the verb determines agreement. The subject nearest the verb determines singular or plural agreement.
The subject closest to the verb determines agreement. The subject nearest the verb determines singular or plural agreement.
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Identify the correct verb: "Neither the teachers nor the principal (is/are) attending."
Identify the correct verb: "Neither the teachers nor the principal (is/are) attending."
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is. "Principal" (singular) is closer to the verb.
is. "Principal" (singular) is closer to the verb.
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Choose the correct verb: "She is the only one of the students who (works/work) late."
Choose the correct verb: "She is the only one of the students who (works/work) late."
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works. "Who" refers to "one" (singular) due to "only."
works. "Who" refers to "one" (singular) due to "only."
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Identify the correct verb: "The news (is/are) surprising."
Identify the correct verb: "The news (is/are) surprising."
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is. "News" looks plural but functions as singular.
is. "News" looks plural but functions as singular.
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What is the agreement rule for plural-only nouns (e.g., "scissors," "pants")?
What is the agreement rule for plural-only nouns (e.g., "scissors," "pants")?
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Use a plural verb unless the noun is measured as "a pair of.". These nouns are inherently plural in meaning.
Use a plural verb unless the noun is measured as "a pair of.". These nouns are inherently plural in meaning.
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Choose the correct verb: "A pair of scissors (is/are) in the drawer."
Choose the correct verb: "A pair of scissors (is/are) in the drawer."
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is. "Pair" makes the whole phrase singular.
is. "Pair" makes the whole phrase singular.
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Choose the correct verb: "The coach and the players (travels/travel) today."
Choose the correct verb: "The coach and the players (travels/travel) today."
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travel. Two distinct people create a plural subject.
travel. Two distinct people create a plural subject.
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What is the agreement rule for collective nouns such as "jury" or "family"?
What is the agreement rule for collective nouns such as "jury" or "family"?
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Usually singular when acting as one unit; plural when acting individually. Context determines whether the group acts together or separately.
Usually singular when acting as one unit; plural when acting individually. Context determines whether the group acts together or separately.
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Find the correct verb: "The bouquet of roses (smell/smells) sweet."
Find the correct verb: "The bouquet of roses (smell/smells) sweet."
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smells. "Bouquet" is the singular subject, not "roses."
smells. "Bouquet" is the singular subject, not "roses."
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What is the agreement rule when a prepositional phrase sits between subject and verb?
What is the agreement rule when a prepositional phrase sits between subject and verb?
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Ignore the prepositional phrase; match the verb to the main subject. Prepositional phrases don't affect verb agreement.
Ignore the prepositional phrase; match the verb to the main subject. Prepositional phrases don't affect verb agreement.
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Identify the correct verb: "The team (wins/win) every year."
Identify the correct verb: "The team (wins/win) every year."
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wins. "Team" is singular, so it takes the singular verb form.
wins. "Team" is singular, so it takes the singular verb form.
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Find the correct verb: "The director, along with the actors, (plans/plan) to travel."
Find the correct verb: "The director, along with the actors, (plans/plan) to travel."
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plans. "Director" is the main subject; "actors" is added.
plans. "Director" is the main subject; "actors" is added.
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What is the agreement rule for indefinite pronouns like 'everyone'?
What is the agreement rule for indefinite pronouns like 'everyone'?
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They take singular verbs and pronouns. Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' are always singular.
They take singular verbs and pronouns. Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' are always singular.
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What is an example of a compound subject that takes a singular verb?
What is an example of a compound subject that takes a singular verb?
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Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast. When two items form one concept, they take a singular verb.
Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast. When two items form one concept, they take a singular verb.
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What is the rule for pronoun agreement with 'everyone'?
What is the rule for pronoun agreement with 'everyone'?
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Use singular pronouns with 'everyone.'. 'Everyone' is singular despite referring to multiple people.
Use singular pronouns with 'everyone.'. 'Everyone' is singular despite referring to multiple people.
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Choose the correct verb: "The jury (argues/argue) among themselves."
Choose the correct verb: "The jury (argues/argue) among themselves."
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argue. Individual members disagree, so plural verb fits.
argue. Individual members disagree, so plural verb fits.
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