3. The Verb Must Agree with the Subject

The verb must be made to agree with the subject and not with the noun next to it. EXAMPLE: Her box of chocolates are a birthday present. (INCORRECT) The verb are in this sentence is used wrongly. Here, we are talking about a box of chocolates, and not just chocolates. The subject of the sentence is box and not chocolates. The subject box is in the singular, so the verb too must be in the singular, the verb therefore must be is not are. The correct sentence should now be: Her box of chocolates is a birthday present. MORE EXAMPLES: The man with two bags are heading for the airport. (wrong) The man with two bags is heading for the airport. (right) Subject: man, not bags / man = singular / verb = singular = is His instruction to the boys were not clear. (wrong) His instruction to the boys was not clear. (right) Subject: instruction, not boys / instruction = singular / verb = singular = was The thieves who stole the money has escaped. (wrong) The thieves who stole the money have escaped. (right) Subject: thieves, not money / thieves = plural / verb = plural = have The cost of goods have gone up. (wrong) The cost of goods has gone up. (right) Subject: cost, not goods / cost = singular / verb = singular = has One of the boys are the leader. (wrong) One of the boys is the leader. (right) Subject: one, not boys / one = singular / verb = singular = is