Special Cases of Subject-Verb Agreement in Number

 Subject-verb agreement for subject relative pronouns
When the antecedent in the main clause is singular or uncountable, the verb in the adjective clause must be in the singular form. When the antecedent is plural, the verb in the adjective clause must be in the plural form.
We hired a sales representative who has three years of experience.
The managers who have great communication skills will be promoted.

 Subject-verb agreement for modifying phrases
When there is a modifying phrase, e.g. a prepositional phrase between a subject and its verb, the verb must agree with the subject, not the modifying phrase.
The store for disabled people makes great profits.
Some of the employees at the company work overtime every day.
EXERCISES
I. Choose the correct option in brackets for each sentence.
1. The competition between the two companies (is / are) tough.
2. Most of the people in the country (agrees / agree) with the new policy.
3. The paintings which (is / are) on the wall in the conference room look beautiful.
4. Do you know the woman who (is / are) giving a speech now?
II. Choose the correct option for each of the following sentences.
1. The piano as well as the pipe organ …………. to be tuned for the big concert.

A
B has
C have
2. The mayor together with his two brothers …………. going to be indicted for
accepting bribes.
A

B are
C is
3. Neither of my two suitcases …………. adequate for this trip.
A
B is
C are
4. There …………. a list of committee members on the head-table.
A
B are
C is
5. Everybody in the class …………. done the homework well in advance.
A
B has
C have
6. The jury …………. their seats in the courtroom.
A
B take
C takes
7. Neither the teacher nor the students …………. to understand this assignment.
A
B seem
C seems
8. …………. either my father or my brothers made a down-payment on the house?
A
B has
C have
9. Hartford is one of those cities that …………. working hard to reclaim a riverfront.
A
B is
C are

10. Some of the grain …………. gone bad.
A
B have
C has
11. John or his brother …………. going to be responsible for this.
A
B are
C is
12. A few of the students …………. doing so well they can skip the next course.
A
B are
C is
13. Either the committee on course design or the committee on college operations …………. these matters.
A
B decide
C decides