ACT English Flashcards: Agreement

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Agreement, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for ACT English.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify the correct verb: 'Every boy and girl   invited.'

Answer: is. 'Every' makes compound subjects singular.

Flashcard 2: Which verb agrees: 'Half of the pie   eaten.'

Answer: was. 'Pie' is singular, so 'half' takes singular verb.

Flashcard 3: Identify the correct verb: "Neither the teachers nor the principal (is/are) attending."

Answer: is. "Principal" (singular) is closer to the verb.

Flashcard 4: Which verb agrees: "The list of rules (is/are) on the wall."

Answer: is. "List" is the singular subject, not "rules."

Flashcard 5: Identify the correct verb: "The team (wins/win) every year."

Answer: wins. "Team" is singular, so it takes the singular verb form.

Flashcard 6: Identify the correct verb: 'The United States   a large country.'

Answer: is. Country names are singular even if they sound plural.

Flashcard 7: Identify the verb agreement error: 'Neither of the options were good.'

Answer: Correct: 'Neither of the options was good.'. 'Neither' is singular and requires the singular verb 'was.'

Flashcard 8: Choose the correct verb: 'Many a student   tried this.'

Answer: has. 'Many a' always requires singular verb form.

Flashcard 9: What is the rule for pronoun agreement with 'everyone'?

Answer: Use singular pronouns with 'everyone.'. 'Everyone' is singular despite referring to multiple people.

Flashcard 10: Identify the correct verb: "Either the principal or the teachers (is/are) attending."

Answer: are. "Teachers" (plural) is closer to the verb.

Flashcard 11: What is the agreement rule when a prepositional phrase sits between subject and verb?

Answer: Ignore the prepositional phrase; match the verb to the main subject. Prepositional phrases don't affect verb agreement.

Flashcard 12: Correct the agreement error: 'Both of them is ready.'

Answer: Correct: 'Both of them are ready.'. 'Both' is plural and requires the plural verb 'are.'

Flashcard 13: Identify the correct verb: 'Twenty percent of the cake   gone.'

Answer: is. 'Cake' is singular, so percentage takes singular verb.

Flashcard 14: Choose the correct verb: 'Many a student   tried this.'

Answer: has. 'Many a' always requires singular verb form.

Flashcard 15: What is the agreement rule for amounts of time, money, and distance as a unit?

Answer: Treat the amount as singular when it functions as one unit. Amounts function as single quantities, not individual items.

Flashcard 16: Correct the error: 'The number of participants are growing.'

Answer: Correct: 'The number of participants is growing.'. 'The number of' is singular; 'a number of' is plural.

Flashcard 17: Identify the correct verb: "Neither the teachers nor the principal (is/are) attending."

Answer: is. "Principal" (singular) is closer to the verb.

Flashcard 18: Identify the error: 'None of the cookies is left.'

Answer: Correct: 'None of the cookies are left.'. 'Cookies' is countable plural, so 'none' takes the plural verb 'are.'

Flashcard 19: Identify the correct verb: "All of the cake (is/are) gone."

Answer: is. "Cake" is uncountable, so "all" acts singular.

Flashcard 20: What is the rule for agreement with 'many a'?

Answer: Takes a singular verb. 'Many a' construction always takes singular verb.

Flashcard 21: Identify the error: 'The scissors is on the table.'

Answer: Correct: 'The scissors are on the table.'. 'Scissors' is naturally plural and takes plural verb.

Flashcard 22: What is pronoun-antecedent agreement?

Answer: Pronouns must agree in number with their antecedents. Pronouns must match their antecedents in number (singular/plural).

Flashcard 23: Identify the correct verb: "Each of the players (is/are) ready."

Answer: is. "Each" is always singular, requiring a singular verb.

Flashcard 24: What is the rule for subject-verb agreement with 'some'?

Answer: 'Some' can be singular or plural based on the noun it refers to. With countable nouns, 'some' is plural; with uncountable, singular.

Flashcard 25: What determines the verb in 'more than one' constructions?

Answer: Treat as singular, even if it seems plural. 'More than one' is grammatically singular despite logical plurality.

Flashcard 26: Identify the verb agreement error: 'Neither of the options were good.'

Answer: Correct: 'Neither of the options was good.'. 'Neither' is singular and requires the singular verb 'was.'

Flashcard 27: What is the agreement rule for plural-only nouns (e.g., "scissors," "pants")?

Answer: Use a plural verb unless the noun is measured as "a pair of.". These nouns are inherently plural in meaning.

Flashcard 28: Choose the correct verb: "She is one of the students who (works/work) late."

Answer: work. "Who" refers to "students" (plural).

Flashcard 29: Which pronoun agrees: 'Somebody left   umbrella.'

Answer: his or her. 'Somebody' is singular indefinite pronoun.

Flashcard 30: Choose the correct verb: "Ten dollars (is/are) enough for lunch."

Answer: is. The money amount is treated as one sum.

Flashcard 31: What is the rule for agreement with 'many a'?

Answer: Takes a singular verb. 'Many a' construction always takes singular verb.

Flashcard 32: Identify the correct verb: "There (is/are) a reason to go."

Answer: is. "Reason" is singular, so use "is."

Flashcard 33: Choose the correct verb: "Neither of the answers (is/are) correct."

Answer: is. "Neither" is an indefinite pronoun, always singular.

Flashcard 34: Identify the pronoun error: 'The committee made their decision.'

Answer: Correct: 'The committee made its decision.'. 'Committee' is singular, so it takes the singular pronoun 'its.'

Flashcard 35: Correct the agreement error: 'Several of the books is missing.'

Answer: Correct: 'Several of the books are missing.'. 'Several' is plural and requires the plural verb 'are.'

Flashcard 36: Identify the correct verb: "Each of the players (is/are) ready."

Answer: is. "Each" is always singular, requiring a singular verb.

Flashcard 37: When should 'is' be used instead of 'are'?

Answer: 'Is' is used with singular subjects. 'Is' matches singular subjects; 'are' matches plural subjects.

Flashcard 38: Find and correct the error: 'The jury have reached their verdict.'

Answer: Correct: 'The jury has reached its verdict.'. 'Jury' is a collective noun acting as one unit, so it's singular.

Flashcard 39: What is the rule for subject-verb agreement with 'some'?

Answer: 'Some' can be singular or plural based on the noun it refers to. With countable nouns, 'some' is plural; with uncountable, singular.

Flashcard 40: What is the agreement rule for subjects joined by "or" or "nor"?

Answer: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. "Or/nor" uses proximity agreement rule.

Flashcard 41: What is the rule for agreement with percentages?

Answer: Depends on noun: singular for singular, plural for plural. Percentages match the number of the following noun.

Flashcard 42: Identify the correct verb: "All of the cookies (is/are) gone."

Answer: are. "Cookies" is countable, so "all" acts plural.

Flashcard 43: Which verb agrees: 'The committee   divided on the issue.'

Answer: is. Collective noun acting as one unit takes singular verb.

Flashcard 44: What determines verb agreement in 'either/or' sentences?

Answer: The subject closest to the verb determines agreement. The subject nearest the verb determines singular or plural agreement.

Flashcard 45: Choose the correct verb: 'The number of participants   increasing.'

Answer: is. 'The number of' takes singular verb (definite quantity).

Flashcard 46: Correct the error: 'Half of the cake were eaten.'

Answer: Correct: 'Half of the cake was eaten.'. 'Cake' is singular, so 'half of the cake' takes the singular verb 'was.'

Flashcard 47: Identify the correct verb: "There (is/are) many reasons to go."

Answer: are. "Reasons" is plural, so use "are."

Flashcard 48: What is the agreement rule for collective nouns such as "jury" or "family"?

Answer: Usually singular when acting as one unit; plural when acting individually. Context determines whether the group acts together or separately.

Flashcard 49: Find the error: 'None of the information are accurate.'

Answer: Correct: 'None of the information is accurate.'. 'Information' is uncountable, so 'none' is singular.

Flashcard 50: What is the agreement rule for subjects joined by "or" or "nor"?

Answer: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. "Or/nor" uses proximity agreement rule.

Flashcard 51: Identify the error: 'Both the teacher and the student is present.'

Answer: Correct: 'Both the teacher and the student are present.'. Compound subjects joined by 'and' are plural and take plural verbs.

Flashcard 52: Choose the correct verb: 'The number of participants   increasing.'

Answer: is. 'The number of' takes singular verb (definite quantity).

Flashcard 53: Choose the correct verb: "Five years (is/are) a long time."

Answer: is. The time period is viewed as one duration.

Flashcard 54: Find the error: 'The only one of the options are valid.'

Answer: Correct: 'The only one of the options is valid.'. 'The only one' is singular and requires the singular verb 'is.'

Flashcard 55: Identify the correct verb: 'Both the teacher and the students   present.'

Answer: are. Compound subject with 'both...and' is plural.

Flashcard 56: What is an example of a compound subject that takes a singular verb?

Answer: Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast. When two items form one concept, they take a singular verb.

Flashcard 57: What is the agreement rule for titles of works (books, movies, songs) as subjects?

Answer: Treat the title as singular and use a singular verb. Titles are considered single entities regardless of words.

Flashcard 58: What is the agreement rule for indefinite pronouns like 'everyone'?

Answer: They take singular verbs and pronouns. Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' are always singular.

Flashcard 59: Find and correct the error: 'The jury have reached their verdict.'

Answer: Correct: 'The jury has reached its verdict.'. 'Jury' is a collective noun acting as one unit, so it's singular.

Flashcard 60: What is the agreement rule when a prepositional phrase sits between subject and verb?

Answer: Ignore the prepositional phrase; match the verb to the main subject. Prepositional phrases don't affect verb agreement.

Flashcard 61: What is the agreement rule for titles of works (books, movies, songs) as subjects?

Answer: Treat the title as singular and use a singular verb. Titles are considered single entities regardless of words.

Flashcard 62: Choose the correct verb: 'A number of students   missing.'

Answer: are. 'A number of' means 'several' and takes plural verb.

Flashcard 63: Choose the correct verb: "The coach and the players (travels/travel) today."

Answer: travel. Two distinct people create a plural subject.

Flashcard 64: What determines verb agreement in 'either/or' sentences?

Answer: The subject closest to the verb determines agreement. The subject nearest the verb determines singular or plural agreement.

Flashcard 65: What is the agreement rule for amounts of time, money, and distance as a unit?

Answer: Treat the amount as singular when it functions as one unit. Amounts function as single quantities, not individual items.

Flashcard 66: Identify the error: 'Where is my glasses?'

Answer: Correct: 'Where are my glasses?'. 'Glasses' is plural and requires the plural verb 'are.'

Flashcard 67: Identify the correct verb: "There (is/are) many reasons to go."

Answer: are. "Reasons" is plural, so use "are."

Flashcard 68: What is the agreement rule for compound subjects joined by "and"?

Answer: Use a plural verb (unless the subject is treated as one unit). "And" typically creates a plural compound subject.

Flashcard 69: Correct the agreement error: 'Several of the books is missing.'

Answer: Correct: 'Several of the books are missing.'. 'Several' is plural and requires the plural verb 'are.'

Flashcard 70: What is an example of a compound subject that takes a singular verb?

Answer: Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast. When two items form one concept, they take a singular verb.

Flashcard 71: Which verb agrees: 'The pair of shoes   expensive.'

Answer: is. 'Pair' is singular subject despite plural object.

Flashcard 72: Choose the correct verb: "The coach and the players (travels/travel) today."

Answer: travel. Two distinct people create a plural subject.

Flashcard 73: Choose the correct verb: "A pair of scissors (is/are) in the drawer."

Answer: is. "Pair" makes the whole phrase singular.

Flashcard 74: Find the error: 'The only one of the options are valid.'

Answer: Correct: 'The only one of the options is valid.'. 'The only one' is singular and requires the singular verb 'is.'

Flashcard 75: Identify the error: 'Either the cats or the dog have eaten.'

Answer: Correct: 'Either the cats or the dog has eaten.'. Verb matches nearest subject 'dog' (singular).

Flashcard 76: Identify the error: 'There is many reasons to celebrate.'

Answer: Correct: 'There are many reasons to celebrate.'. Verb agrees with true subject 'reasons' (plural).

Flashcard 77: What is subject-verb agreement?

Answer: Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the basic grammar rule for matching singular/plural forms.

Flashcard 78: Identify the correct verb: 'The team   winning.'

Answer: is. 'Team' is singular, requiring singular verb.

Flashcard 79: Find the correct verb: "The bouquet of roses (smell/smells) sweet."

Answer: smells. "Bouquet" is the singular subject, not "roses."

Flashcard 80: Identify the error: 'Both the teacher and the student is present.'

Answer: Correct: 'Both the teacher and the student are present.'. Compound subjects joined by 'and' are plural and take plural verbs.

Flashcard 81: Identify the error: 'There is many reasons to celebrate.'

Answer: Correct: 'There are many reasons to celebrate.'. Verb agrees with true subject 'reasons' (plural).

Flashcard 82: Choose the correct verb: "The scissors (is/are) on the table."

Answer: are. "Scissors" is always grammatically plural.

Flashcard 83: What is the agreement rule for relative pronouns (who, that, which) as subjects?

Answer: The verb agrees with the antecedent the pronoun refers to. The pronoun's referent determines verb agreement.

Flashcard 84: Which verb agrees: 'The pair of shoes   expensive.'

Answer: is. 'Pair' is singular subject despite plural object.

Flashcard 85: Identify the correct verb: "The team (wins/win) every year."

Answer: wins. "Team" is singular, so it takes the singular verb form.

Flashcard 86: What is the agreement rule for 'the only one of' construction?

Answer: Always singular, as it refers to just one entity. 'The only one' is always singular regardless of what follows.

Flashcard 87: Correct the sentence: 'Each of the players have a ball.'

Answer: Correct: 'Each of the players has a ball.'. 'Each' is singular and requires the singular verb 'has.'

Flashcard 88: What is the agreement rule for nouns that look plural but are singular (e.g., "news")?

Answer: Treat them as singular and use a singular verb. Appearance doesn't determine actual grammatical number.

Flashcard 89: Choose the correct verb: "Peanut butter and jelly (is/are) my lunch."

Answer: is. This compound is treated as one sandwich type.

Flashcard 90: Find and correct the error: 'The jury were divided in their opinions.'

Answer: Correct: 'The jury was divided in its opinion.'. Jury acts as one unit, so singular verb and pronoun.

Flashcard 91: Find the correct verb: "The director, along with the actors, (plans/plan) to travel."

Answer: plans. "Director" is the main subject; "actors" is added.

Flashcard 92: Identify the correct verb: 'Mathematics   my favorite subject.'

Answer: is. Subject names like 'Mathematics' are singular.

Flashcard 93: What is the agreement rule for relative pronouns (who, that, which) as subjects?

Answer: The verb agrees with the antecedent the pronoun refers to. The pronoun's referent determines verb agreement.

Flashcard 94: What is the subject-verb agreement rule for 'a lot of'?

Answer: Agreement depends on the noun following 'a lot of.'. If the following noun is singular, use 'is'; if plural, use 'are.'

Flashcard 95: Correct the error: 'Neither the manager nor the employees is happy.'

Answer: Correct: 'Neither the manager nor the employees are happy.'. With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the closer subject 'employees.'

Flashcard 96: What is the agreement rule for "there is/there are" constructions?

Answer: The verb agrees with the noun that follows the verb. The noun after "there" determines verb number.

Flashcard 97: Choose the correct verb: "The jury (argues/argue) among themselves."

Answer: argue. Individual members disagree, so plural verb fits.

Flashcard 98: Identify the correct verb: 'The United States   a large country.'

Answer: is. Country names are singular even if they sound plural.

Flashcard 99: What is the agreement rule for indefinite pronouns like "everyone" and "each"?

Answer: They are singular and take singular verbs. These pronouns always refer to individuals singularly.

Flashcard 100: Which verb agrees: 'The committee   divided on the issue.'

Answer: is. Collective noun acting as one unit takes singular verb.