Overview
Handle subject-verb agreement in sentences with inverted order, relative clauses, and intervening phrases.
Inverted and There-Sentences
- ThereThere are several issues. / There remains one concern.
- HereHere is the document. / Here are the files.
- InversionAfter only/rarely/never: agree with the true subject.
- KeyFind the post-verb subject — that is what controls agreement.
The Number / A Number
- The number of + plural noun → singular: The number of errors is high.
- A number of + plural noun → plural: A number of errors have been found.
- Intervening phrase: The cost of the repairs is significant. (head = cost)
- Relative clause: She is one of those managers who understand people. (who = managers)
Common Mistakes
- ❌ The number of students are → ✅ is (the number = singular)
- ❌ A number of issues is → ✅ are (a number of = several)
- ❌ There is several reasons → ✅ There are several reasons
When to use
Data reports
The number of applications received is higher than expected.
Academic prose
A number of studies have investigated this phenomenon.
Business
There remain several unresolved contractual issues.
Grammar tests
Complex agreement is a key feature tested at C1 and above.