ACT English: Subject-Verb Agreement

What is subject-verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the true subject (singular vs plural).

What is the core rule of subject-verb agreement?

Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

Give an example of singular subject with a singular verb.

"My snack tastes spicy." (snack = singular, tastes = singular verb).

Give an example of plural subject with a plural verb.

"My snacks taste spicy." (snacks = plural, taste = plural verb).

What is a common ACT trap regarding singular verbs?

Singular verbs often end in -s in present tense.

How do you identify the true subject in a sentence?

Cross out prepositional phrases to find the true subject.

Example of identifying the true subject: The list of rules ___ on the wall.

True subject = list (singular) → "is." Correct: "The list of rules is on the wall."

Example of identifying the true subject: The photos in the album ___ faded.

True subject = photos (plural) → "have." Correct: "The photos in the album have faded."

What should you not do when determining the verb?

Don’t pick the verb based on the closest noun; find the true subject instead.

What is the either/or rule?

With either/or, the verb matches the subject closest to the verb.

Give an example of the either/or rule.

"Either the teachers or the principal is attending." (principal = singular).

What is the neither/nor rule?

With neither/nor, the verb matches the closest subject.

Give an example of the neither/nor rule.

"Neither the coach nor the players are ready." (players = plural).

Give an example of a collective noun used in a sentence.

"The team is winning." (team = singular).

What happens in two-subject, two-verb sentences?

Match each verb to its own subject.

Example of two-subject, two-verb sentence.

"A bouquet of roses is on the table, and the candles are lit."

What is the correct verb for: The stack of books ___ heavy?

Cross out "of books." True subject = stack (singular) → "is." Correct: "The stack of books is heavy."

What is the correct verb for: The books on the desk ___ heavy?

Cross out "on the desk." True subject = books (plural) → "are." Correct: "The books on the desk are heavy."

What is the correct verb for: The committee ___ decided?

Collective noun = committee (usually singular on ACT) → "has." Correct: "The committee has decided."

What is the recap process for subject-verb agreement?

Find the subject, find the verb, cross out prepositional phrases, then match singular/plural.

How are collective nouns usually treated on the ACT?

Collective nouns are usually treated as singular.

What analogy does the video use for subject–verb agreement?

Matching puzzle pieces: the verb has to match the true subject.

Why does the ACT love testing subject–verb agreement?

It adds distractions that make small mismatches easy to miss.

In present tense, what do plural verbs typically NOT end with?

Plural verbs usually do not end in -s (run, not runs).

What are prepositional phrases compared to in the video?

Ornaments: they decorate the sentence but never change the subject.

What happens once you can spot the true subject quickly?

The correct verb choice becomes automatic.

If you see a prepositional phrase starting with of/in/with/through/between, what should you do?

Ignore that phrase and re-check the subject and verb.

Choose the correct verb: The jar of coins ___ on the dresser.

is (true subject = jar).

Choose the correct verb: The coins in the jar ___ noisy.

are (true subject = coins).

Choose the correct verb: Either the principal or the teachers ___ attending.

are (closest subject = teachers).

Choose the correct verb: Neither the players nor the coach ___ ready.

is (closest subject = coach).