## Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Syntax
In academic writing, head nouns are frequently separated from their verbs by prepositional phrases or relative clauses.
### Key Rules:
1. **The Intervening Phrase Trap**: The verb agrees with the HEAD subject noun, NOT the noun inside the prepositional phrase!
- *The **proportion** [singular] of students who study abroad **has** [singular] increased.*
2. **'A number of' vs 'The number of'**:
- *A number of students **are**...* [Plural]
- *The number of students **is**...* [Singular]
3. **Quantifiers**:
- *Each of the participants **was**...* [Singular]
- *Neither the teacher nor the students **were**...* [Agrees with nearest subject]
5 Common IELTS Mistakes & Side-by-Side Corrections:
Common Candidate Mistake:
"The proportion of students who study abroad have increased."
Band 8+ Correct Form:
"The proportion of students who study abroad has increased."
Why: The head subject noun is 'proportion' (singular), requiring the singular verb 'has'.
Common Candidate Mistake:
"The number of elderly citizens are rising annually."
Band 8+ Correct Form:
"The number of elderly citizens is rising annually."
Why: 'The number of...' is singular and takes 'is'. ('A number of...' is plural).
Common Candidate Mistake:
"A wide range of technological gadgets is available."
Band 8+ Correct Form:
"A wide range of technological gadgets are available."
Why: When 'a range of [plural nouns]' functions collectively in British English, plural agreement is standard.
Common Candidate Mistake:
"Every one of the applicants were interviewed by the panel."
Band 8+ Correct Form:
"Every one of the applicants was interviewed by the panel."
Why: 'Every one' is grammatically singular and requires 'was'.
Common Candidate Mistake:
"Developing renewable energy sources require substantial capital outlays."
Band 8+ Correct Form:
"Developing renewable energy sources requires substantial capital outlays."
Why: The subject is the gerund phrase 'Developing...' which is singular and requires 'requires'.
Interactive 5-Question Strategy Quiz
0 / 10 Answered
1
Choose the correct verb: 'The proliferation of electric vehicles ___ accelerated across Europe.'
2
Select the sentence with correct agreement:
3
Complete the sentence: 'Each of the participating laboratories ___ audited by the committee.'
4
Choose the correct form: 'Implementing strict environmental regulations ___ significant political commitment.'
5
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
6
Fill in the blank: 'A significant percentage of the workforce ___ remotely today.'
7
Choose the correct verb: 'The data collected from twelve meteorological stations ___ consistent warming trends.'
8
Select the correct sentence:
9
Fill in the blank: 'One of the most pressing dilemmas confronting modern cities ___ waste management.'
10
Choose the correct form: 'The quality of life in developing metropolitan regions ___ improved noticeably.'
Apply This Grammar in Writing / Speaking
Practice "Subject-Verb Agreement with Complex & Prepositional Modifiers" in Targeted Tests