SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT WITH

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

 The analysis of the results reveals a significant

difference between the groups. - The singular
subject ‘analysis’ requires a singular verb form,
‘reveals.’ 
 The material  of wind turbines ages rapidly in
tests. - Again, the subject is singular, so the verb
must agree with ‘material’ and not ‘turbines.’ 
 Each of the samples was treated with the same
dose of antibiotics. - Remember that ‘each’ is a
singular subject, and “of the samples” is simply
another prepositional phrase. 
 The participants in the research
receive questionnaires. - In this example, the plural
subject ‘participants’ requires a plural verb form. 
 5.The percentage of correct responses
increases with practice. - The phrase ‘as well as’
introduces a clause that does not affect the singular
nature of the subject (‘percentage’). 
 The collection of rare stamps is very valuable.
(The subject is collection, a singular noun. Of rare
stamps is a prepositional phrase with a plural
object. The verb is agrees with the singular subject
collection.)
 The puppies in the basket have brown fur. (The
subject is puppies, a plural noun. In the basket is a
 prepositional phrase with a singular object. The
verb have agrees with the plural subject puppies.)
 The bouquet of flowers is for Amanda.
 Apartments in this city require to have smoke
alarms.
 This list of names is very important.

UNDERLINE THE VERB IN PARENTHESES

THAT AGREES WITH THE SUBJECT.
1. A box of butter cookies ( is, are) sitting on the dining
table.
2. Five members of the commission ( has, have) issued a
report.
3. The eggs in this carton (is, are) rotten.
4. Snow on open farmlands (blow, blows)  across roads.
5. Ice cubes in an insulated glass (melt, melts ) slowly
even on hot summer days.
6. An unopened package of potato
chips (crunch,crunches) like dry leaves underfoot.
7. A car loaded with five passengers ( stop, stops) more
slowly than a car with only a driver.
8. The building with the white shutters (need, needs)
painting.  
9. The leaves on the oak tree ( turn, turns) bright orange.
10. The blue areas on the map (indicate, indicates) water.