is
are
You're right! When subjects are connected by or, the subject closer to the verb (which is, in this case, singular) determines the number of the verb.
2. ______my boss or my sisters in the union going to win this grievance?
Is
Are
You're right! Again, the subject closer to the verb (my boss) determines the number of the verb.
3. Some of the votes ______to have been miscounted.
seem
seems
You're right! Some is the subject in this sentence; it is plural because the word votes makes it a countable indefinite pronoun.
4. The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring _____ more than just a nuisance.
are
is
You're right! The subject is tornadoes. You were not confused by the words and phrases that came between the subject and its verb.
5. Everyone selected to serve on this jury _____ to be willing to give up a lot of time.
have
has
You're right! Everyone! seems to be a plural word, but it is always singular.
presents
present
You're right! The subject is not compounded by phrases such as along with, together with, and as well as.
7. He seems to forget that there ______things to be done before he can graduate.
are
is
You're right! The subject (things, in this case) comes after the verb in constructions that begin with here or there.
have
has
You're right! The subject is people, which is plural, and that determines the verb (not the word there).
9. Some of the grain ______to be contaminated.
appear
appears
You're right! Some is the subject of this sentence and, since it is not really countable (you can't count the grain), it is singular.
10. Three-quarters of the students ______against the tuition hike.
is
are
You're right! Three quarters of the students represents a countable number.
11. Three-quarters of the student body ______against the tuition hike.
is
are
You're right! Three quarters of the student body represents a lump sum, a singular entity.
12. A high percentage of the population ______voting for the new school.
is
are
You're right! "Percentage" is a mathematical proportion, expressing here a singular lump sum.
13. A high percentage of the people ______voting for the new school.
was
were
You're right! "Percentage" is a mathematical proportion, but here it reflects a countable, therefore plural, quantity.
2. The International Club, as well as the Choral Society and the Rowing Club, ______to submit a new constitution.
need
needs
The subject here is 'The International Club,' which is singular. The modifying phrase that comes after 'as well as' modifies the subject but does not compound it as the word 'and' would do.
3. One of my best friends ______an extra on Seinfeld this week.
are
is
The subject of this sentence is 'one,' which is, of course, singular. Don't let the intervening prepositional phrase (with its plural 'friends') fool you.
4. Not only the students but also their instructor ______been called to the principal's office.
have
has
With paired conjunctions such as either ... or and not only ... but also, the subject closer to the verb -- in this case, the singular 'instructor' -- determines whether the verb will be singular or plural.
5. Most of the milk _____ gone bad. Six gallons of milk ______still in the refrigerator.
has ---- are
have ---- is
'Most' is not a countable noun here (you can't count 'the milk' in the first sentence), so the verb must be singular. You can count the gallons of milk, though, so the subject in the second sentence is plural.
6. Each and every student and instructor in this building ______for a new facility by next year.
hope
hopes
The subject of the verb is 'each and every,' which is singular: the correct verb choice, then, is 'hopes.'
7. The students and instructors each ______for a new facility by next year.
hopes
hope
When 'each' or 'every' comes after the compound subject, a plural verb -- 'hope' -- is appropriate.
7. Everyone in the town______excited for Halloween.
is
are