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
complication rule
use of either...or and neither...nor make the verb agree with the closer subject.
ex. neither my aunt nor my cousins are coming.
use of each, either, neither, anyone, anybody, everybody, everything, another, little, much use a singular verb.
ex. neither wants to get up at 7:00am
nobody is here.
use of such compound subjects as sam and angie or indefinite plural pronouns such as several, few, many, most, others, both use a plural verb.
ex. sam and angie are going.
several of us are angry.
the use of an appositive or parenthetical phrase, set off by commas and such words as plus or as well as 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 plural verb "are".
3. "The senior judge, as well as three junior judges" - Verb agrees with main subject "The senior judge", so use "is".
4. "a flat tire" is singular, use "was".
5. "Neither Max nor Clara" - Verb agrees with closer subject, "Clara" is singular, use "uses".
6. "The team, including the coach" - Verb agrees with main subject "The team", so use "hosts".
7. "Violet, Mia, and Devon’s team" - Team is singular here, use "plays".
8. "My mother and father" - Compound subject, use plural verb "enjoy".
9. "The chocolates" is plural, use "taste".
10. "The study" is singular, use "is".
11. "Neither of the couches" - "Neither" can be considered singular or plural, here plural "couches" makes "are" appropriate.
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. are
12. is
13. is