SAT Writing:

Subject-Verb Agreement
For a subject and its verb to agree, you must make sure
that both are either singular or plural.
A phrase or clause that interrupts a subject and its verb does not
affect subject-verb agreement.
For example: Birds of a feather flock together.
The antecedent of a relative pronoun determines its agreement
with a verb.
For example: Richard is the only one of our players who
performs well.
Two or more singular subjects joined by or or nor must have a
singular verb.
For example: Neither the cat nor the dog has been outside
today.
Two or more plural subjects joined by or or nor must have a plural
verb.
For example: Tortilla chips or wheat crackers make tasty
snacks.
If one or more singular subjects are joined to one or more plural
subjects by or or nor, the subject closest to the verb determines
agreement.
For example: The twins or Maria takes us to the movies
every month.
Maria or the twins take us to the movies every month.
A compound subject joined by and is generally plural and must
have a plural verb.
For example: Black and orange are my favorite colors.
When parts of a compound subject equal a single thing and when
the word each or every is used before a compound subject, the
sentence must have a singular verb.
For example: Pork and beans is a camping staple.
Each of the children was given an apple.
If a subject comes after its verb, it must still agree with the verb.
For example: Overhead sail the dark storm clouds.
A linking verb must agree with its subject, regardless of the
number of its predicate nominative.
For example: Brilliantly colored leaves are a sign of autumn.
A sign of autumn is brilliantly colored leaves.
A collective noun takes a singular verb when the group it names
acts as a single unit.

For example: That family eats together every night.

A collective noun takes a plural verb when the group it names act
as individuals with different points of view.
For example: That family are unable to agree on a restaurant.
Nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning take singular
verbs.
For example: The news about the airplane accident was not
good.
Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs.
For example: Each of his brothers drives a sports car.
Plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs.
For example: Both of my dogs require a great deal of exercise.
The pronouns all, any, more, most, none, and some take a singular
verb if the pronouns antecedent is singular and a plural verb if it is
plural.
For example: Some of the meat is spoiled.
Some of the bananas are still green.
A noun expressing an amount or measurement is usually singular
and takes a singular verb.
For example: Three cups of chocolate chips is required for the
cookies.

Tricky Plurals and Singulars