How it works
The verb agrees with the grammatical subject, not the nearest noun. Long noun phrases can hide the head noun: ‘The list of workshop conditions is…’ because list is singular. Subjects joined by and are usually plural, while each, every, and one are singular. In present-tense speaking, agreement errors often appear when the speaker revises a sentence midway; a local restatement is preferable if the subject changes. During editing, box the head noun and connect it directly to the finite verb.
Patterns
Head noun
The singular head noun + of plural nouns + singular verb.
Keep agreement with the central noun inside a longer phrase.
Compound subject
Noun and noun + plural verb.
Describe two coordinated people, things, or actions as the subject.
Before and after
- Before
- The list of accessibility upgrades are attached.
- After
- The list of accessibility upgrades is attached.
- Why
- List is the singular head noun.
- Before
- The screen and wireless connection is available.
- After
- The screen and wireless connection are available.
- Why
- Two subjects joined by and require the plural verb.
Practice
- Circle head nouns in eight long subjects.
- Correct agreement in a paragraph containing compound subjects.
- Record five present-tense sentences and check agreement after playback.
Show the answer key
- Ignore nouns inside of-phrases when choosing agreement.
- And usually creates a plural subject unless the phrase names one unit.
- Spoken corrections should preserve meaning without restarting the response.
