Here are the answers to the Subject-Verb Agreement Practice activity. The numbers refer to the Subject-Verb Agreement Rules handout.

1.  The cost of his explorations (was, were) paid by scientific societies.  Rule 4

2.  Neither the President nor the FBI (was, were) willing to release any information.  Rule 3

3.  Every one of his sons (has, have) been successful.  Rules 4 and 5

4.  The Case of the Missing Butler is one of those books that (is, are) easy to put down.  (Rule 6 The Case of the Missing Butler is one of those books. Those books are easy to put down.)

5.  The question of taxes (doesn’t, don’t) belong in this discussion.  Rule 4

6.  Either your study habits or your attitude (is, are) causing your problems in school. Rule 3

7.  Fifteen minutes (is, are) enough time for this exercise.  Rule 2

8.  There (seems, seem) to be many arguments on both sides.  (Rule 1 Reverse the sentence: Many arguments seem to be there)

9.  Every planet, including the earth, (revolves, revolve) around the sun.

10. The Magnificent Ambersons (is, are) worth reading.  (One book)

11. Most of the Roosevelt papers (has, have) been made available to the public. Rule 4

12. The mayor of the city and the governor of the state (has, have) been in conference.  (Two people: It’s like “Jack and Jill have been in conference.”)

13. It (doesn’t, don’t) matter to me where you go.

14. Everybody who lives in these apartments (agrees, agree) with me.  Rule 5

15. Probably some of the oranges (doesn’t, don’t) ripen until April.  Rule 4

16. The fruit on the outdoor stands (looks, look) tempting.  Rule 4

17. Someone from Mr. Brown’s classes (is, are) sure to have the information we need.  Rule 4

18. College life and high school life (is, are) vastly different.  (Two things: It’s like “Bananas and oranges are vastly different.”)

19. (There’s, There are) not many unselfish people in the world.  (Rule 1 Reverse the sentence: Unselfish people are there)

20. Two weeks (is, are) enough for a trip of that length.  Rule 2

21. She is one of those people who (is, are) never ready on time. (Rule 6 She is one of those people. Those people are never ready on time.)

22. Each of the cheeses (was, were) sampled by the inspector. Rules 4 and 5

23. Here (is, are) your ticket and your receipt.  (Rule 1 Reverse the sentence: Your ticket and your receipt are here)

24. Each of the rooms (has, have) a color television.  Rules 4 and 5

25. The cast of characters (includes, include) an infant and a grandfather.  Rule 4