Find the Sentence's Real Boss

A sentence can hide its real boss. One noun stands right beside the verb, waving for attention... but another noun controls the verb. Can you spot the true subject before the wrong verb sneaks in?

The subject tells you who or what the sentence is about. The verb must agree with that subject. One person or thing usually takes a singular verb, such as 'runs'. More than one usually takes a plural verb, such as 'run'. Link the subject straight to its verb. Now watch for a trap. Extra words can sit between the subject and verb. In 'The basket of apples is heavy,' basket is the subject. Apples is closer to the verb, but it is only part of the phrase 'of apples'. Ignore that nearby noun. Basket is singular, so choose 'is'. Try a quick check. Cross out the interrupting phrase for a moment. 'The basket is heavy' remains. It sounds right, and the agreement is clear. Then restore the extra words. The sentence keeps the same true subject and the same verb.

Let's work through an example. Choose the correct word in brackets to complete this sentence: 'The box of shiny medals (sit, sits) beside the trophy.' You have the full sentence and two verb forms. First, ask: what is sitting beside the trophy? Find the subject before looking at the nearest noun. The sentence is about one box. Draw a line under 'box'. The words 'of shiny medals' describe what the box contains. Fade that phrase back... and the core sentence reads, 'The box (sit, sits) beside the trophy.' Box is singular. With a singular subject, choose 'sits'. Put it into the sentence: 'The box of shiny medals sits beside the trophy.' Do not match 'sit' to medals just because medals is nearest. The true subject, box, controls the verb. The answer is 'sits'.

Remember: find the true subject, skip any interrupting phrase, then make the verb agree with that subject. Trust the sentence's real boss, not the nearest noun. You've got it!