In the following sentences determine whether or not the verbs agree with the subjects and then

correct the sentence.

1. Not one of these trees are green.
2. The pair of shoes is not on sale.
3. On the string of Christmas lights there is two broken bulbs.
4. The bluebird, but not the chickens, are good at flying.
5. Some say that the mass media are ruining America.
6. Katelyn's soccer team didn't like their coach.
7. The Guild of Book Workers were in an uproar over the digitization of books.

Answers:1.
Incorrect: Not one of these trees is green. See “Verb Number and Person,” page 42: “The
number of the verb (singular or plural must match the number of the subject of the sentence.” In
this case, “not one” (singular) is the subject of the sentence.
2. Correct.
3. Incorrect: On the string of Christmas lights there is two broken bulbs. See “Verb Number and
Person,” page 42: “The number of the verb (singular or plural must match the number of the subject of the sentence.” In this case, “two broken bulbs” (plural) is the subject of the sentence.
4. Incorrect: The bluebird, but not the chickens, is good at flying. See “Verb Number and Person,”
page 42: “The number of the verb (singular or plural must match the number of the subject of
the sentence.” In this case, “bluebird” (singular) is the subject of the sentence.
5. Correct.
6. Incorrect: Katelyn's soccer team didn't like its coach. See “Verb Number and Person,” page 42:
“The number of the verb (singular or plural must match the number of the subject of the
sentence.” In this case, “team” (singular) is the subject of the sentence.
7. Incorrect: The Guild of Book Workers was in an uproar over the digitization of books. See
“Verb Number and Person,” page 42: “The number of the verb (singular or plural must match
the number of the subject of the sentence.” In this case, “Guild” (singular) is the subject of the
sentence.