Subject-Verb Agreement

It (is, are) unusual for him to be angry.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

• The subject "It" is singular, so the correct verb is "is."

All of the children (help, helps) in household chores.

• help

• helps

Answer explanation

The pronoun "All" is an example of an indefinite pronoun that can be singular or plural.

The noun "children" is plural.

(Is, Are) either of your parents here?

• Is

• Are

Answer explanation

• "Either" is a singular indefinite pronoun.

• Even though "parents" is plural, the verb agrees with "either", which is singular.

• Therefore, we use the singular verb "is."

There (is, are) fifty students in my class

• is

• are

Answer explanation

• The subject of the sentence is "fifty students" (not "there").
  

• "Fifty students" is plural, so we use the plural verb "are."

“The Arabian Nights” (has, have) been translated to different languages.

• has

• have

Answer explanation

• "The Arabian Nights" is the title of a single literary work, even though it looks plural.

• Titles of books, movies, or works of art are treated as singular, so we use "has."

Either the speakers or the topic (is, are) boring.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

• When using “either...or” with different subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it (the one after "or").

• In this case, "the topic" is singular, so we use the singular verb "is."

The delegates (arrive, arrives) early for the convention.

• arrive

• arrives

Answer explanation

The subject "delegates" is plural, so we use the plural verb "arrive".

Neither Hector nor his friends (want, wants) to come.

• want

• wants

Answer explanation

• With "neither...nor", the verb agrees with the subject closer to it — in this case, "his friends," which is plural.
  

• Therefore, use the plural verb "want.

A number of weddings (has, have) been solemnized in that church.

• has

• have

Answer explanation

The phrase "a number of" is treated as plural, so the verb should also be plural.

The first two parts of the test (is, are) easy.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

• The subject is "the first two parts," which is plural.

• Therefore, use the plural verb "are."