Home Grammar Subject-Verb Agreement ExercisesPhrases Between Subject & Verb Exercises (Easy)

Phrases Between Subject & Verb Exercises (Easy)

B1 Level

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One of the most common agreement errors happens when a phrase comes between the subject and the verb. The phrase usually starts with of and contains a noun with a different number from the subject: "The list of items is long" — the subject is "list" (singular), not "items." The verb must always agree with the subject, never with the noun inside the phrase. This rule is called intervening phrase agreement.

At B1 level, sentences often include "of" phrases that test this rule. Common examples include "the cost of repairs" (singular — "cost"), "the results of the survey" (plural — "results"), and "the quality of the products" (singular — "quality"). To find the right verb, try removing the "of" phrase completely: "The list is long," "The results show a pattern." If the sentence still makes sense, you have found the true subject. This technique is especially helpful during exams when time is limited and sentences are long.

Quick Rule

subject + of + noun + verb (matching the subject, not the noun after "of")

1.The cost of the repairs is very high. (subject "cost" — singular verb)
2.The results of the test don't look promising. (subject "results" — plural verb, negative)
3.One of my friends lives in Manchester. (subject "one" — singular verb)
4.Her knowledge of these subjects has helped her career. (subject "knowledge" — singular verb)
5.Members of the committee meet every Friday. (subject "members" — plural verb)