Question

subject - verb agreement
you probably have little trouble figuring out how to make your verbs agree with your subjects when the subjects are clearly singular or plural, as in these examples.
singular subject: marie plays the piano.
plural subject: my friends play soccer.
however, it is not so easy when there are complications in the way the subject is presented as with these kinds of s
complication
use of either...or and neither...nor
use of each, either, neither, anyone, anybody, everybody, everything, another, little, much
use of such compound subjects as sam and angie or indefinite plural pronouns such as several, few, many, most, others, both
the use of an appositive or parenthetical phrase, set off by commas and such words as plus or as well as
rule
make the verb agree with the closer subject.
ex. neither my aunt nor my cousins are coming.
use a singular verb.
ex. neither wants to get up at 7:00am.
nobody is here.
use a plural verb.
ex. sam and angie are going.
several of us are angry.
make the verb agree with the main subject.
the appositive is something extra that does not affect the verb.
ex. my nephew, plus two of his friends, is coming with us.
practice. circle the appropriate form of the verb in each sentence.
example: neither player (know, knows) how to pitch a curve ball.

1. one of the two teachers (is, are) eligible for promotion this year.
2. spaghetti and pizza (is, are) his favorite foods.
3. the senior judge, as well as three junior judges, (is, are) to attend the seminar.
4. there (was, were) a flat tire on the bicycle.
5. neither max nor clara (use, uses) ketchup on hamburgers or french fries.
6. the team, including the coach, (host, hosts) the pep rally each spring.
7. violet, mia, and devon’s team (play, plays) well under pressure.
8. my mother and father (enjoy, enjoys) my drama performances.
9. the chocolates in the fridge (taste, tastes) delicious.
10. the study on magnets (is, are) informative.
11. neither of the couches (is, are) comfortable.
12. mathematics (is, are) my favorite subject.
13. the news (is, are) on at 8:00pm.

Explanation:

1. "One of the two teachers" - 'one' is singular, so use "is".
2. "Spaghetti and pizza" - compound subject, use "are".
3. "The senior judge, as well as three junior judges" - verb agrees with main subject "the senior judge", use "is".
4. "a flat tire" is singular, use "was".
5. "Neither Max nor Clara" - verb agrees with closer subject "Clara", use "uses".
6. "The team" is singular, use "hosts".
7. "Violet, Mia, and Devon’s team" - team is singular, use "plays".
8. "My mother and father" - compound subject, use "enjoy".
9. "The chocolates" is plural, use "taste".
10. "The study" is singular, use "is".
11. "Neither of the couches" - "neither" with plural noun, use "is".
12. "Mathematics" as a subject is singular, use "is".
13. "The news" is singular, use "is".

Answer:

1. is
2. are
3. is
4. was
5. uses
6. hosts
7. plays
8. enjoy
9. taste
10. is
11. is
12. is
13. is