Which sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement with the phrase 'The list of items ___ on the table' ?

Which sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement with the phrase 'The list of items ___ on the table' ?

• A. The list of items is on the table.
• B. The list of items are on the table.
• C. The lists of item is on the table.
• D. The list on items is on the table.

Answer: (A)

Subject-verb agreement hinges on the main subject. In “The list of items,” the head noun is list, which is singular. The phrase “of items” is a prepositional phrase that adds information but doesn’t change the number of the subject. So the verb must be singular: is. The form are would only be correct if the subject were plural, as in lists. The other options mix up the number or use an awkward/prepositional construction that doesn’t match the subject. Therefore, the best choice keeps the singular subject and uses the correct verb: is.

Subject-verb agreement hinges on the main subject. In “The list of items,” the head noun is list, which is singular. The phrase “of items” is a prepositional phrase that adds information but doesn’t change the number of the subject. So the verb must be singular: is. The form are would only be correct if the subject were plural, as in lists. The other options mix up the number or use an awkward/prepositional construction that doesn’t match the subject. Therefore, the best choice keeps the singular subject and uses the correct verb: is.