Why 'the neighbors has' isn't correct with 'one of the neighbors'

Title: One of the neighbors has—or not? A friendly guide to a tricky subject-verb moment

Let me explain a little grammar puzzle that pops up more often than you’d think in everyday writing. It’s the kind of thing that makes a reader pause for a fraction of a second, then nod and move on—until it trips you up again in a test or a tricky sentence. We’re talking about subject-verb agreement, especially with phrases like “one of the neighbors.” If you’re studying for the PACT Writing task and you ever stumble on a sentence like this, you’re not alone. The good news: it’s not as complicated as it seems once you see the pattern clearly.

Here's the thing about “one of the neighbors.” The key is to identify the real subject—the word that will dictate the form of the verb. In grammar land, the head noun often wears the crown. If the head noun is singular, the verb should be singular. If the head noun is plural, the verb should be plural. But when you throw a prepositional phrase into the mix, like “of the neighbors,” things can look a bit tangled at first glance.

Let’s break down the rule with the puzzle you may have seen.

A quick walkthrough of the question

• The phrase in question is: “one of the neighbors.” Here, the word that really acts as the subject is the head noun “one.” It’s singular.

• So, if you’re starting a sentence with “One of the neighbors…,” you would normally pair it with a singular verb: “One of the neighbors has a dog,” for example.

• The options you gave are framed as possible verb-phrase choices after some form of “one of the neighbors” (or a variant that presents a plurality of neighbors). The four options are:

A. the neighbors have

B. the neighbor's have

C. the neighbors has

D. the neighbors' have

Now, which one is grammatically incorrect for the subject “one of the neighbors”? The correct choice to flag as incorrect is C: “the neighbors has.” Why? Because “neighbors” is plural, so it should take a plural verb form—“have.” Using “has” with a plural subject is a mismatch in number.

But there’s a little more to it, and that’s where the learning gets interesting.

Why this seems tricky—and how to see it clearly

• The head noun matters: In a phrase like “one of the neighbors,” the head is the word “one.” That head is singular, so the natural verb form after it is singular too—has. A sentence that starts with “One of the neighbors has…” is correct.

• The other part of the phrase—“of the neighbors”—is a prepositional phrase that describes which one you’re talking about. It does not control the verb. That’s the important nuance. The prepositional phrase acts like a sidekick; it can be helpful information, but the main subject is still the singular “one.”

• If you tried to force the sentence with the plural subject “the neighbors,” you’d switch the head and break the rule. For example, “The neighbors have cars” is perfectly fine when the sentence’s subject is actually “the neighbors.” But that isn’t the head in our target phrase.

• Possessives add another layer. If you write “the neighbor’s have,” you’re mixing a possessive mark with a plural verb in a way that doesn’t work in standard grammar. That’s why option B (the neighbor's have) and option D (the neighbors' have) also look off to the trained eye. They illustrate how the apostrophe misuse can lead the eye—and the grammar—astray.

Putting this into real-life writing

• Correct form with “one of the neighbors”: One of the neighbors has a new lawnmower.

• If you were talking about all the neighbors as a group, you’d shift the subject: The neighbors have a meeting tonight.

• If you want to talk about the neighbor’s possession (singular neighbor), you might say: One of the neighbor's tools is missing. Here, the singular possessive is on neighbor, and the sentence remains clear because the structure isn’t asking the head noun to be plural.

A few practical tips you can carry from here

• Tip 1: Find the head noun. In a construction like “one of the …,” the head noun is the first noun (one). The prepositional phrase that follows (of the neighbors) is descriptive but not the boss of the verb.

• Tip 2: Practice with a mini-checklist. If you start a sentence with “one of the,” ask:

• What is the head noun? Is it singular or plural?

• What verb would agree with that head noun in a simple sentence?

• Does the rest of the sentence fit that number, or do I need to tweak the subject?

• Tip 3: Don’t ignore apostrophes in a hurry. A phrase like “the neighbor’s” (singular possessive) vs. “the neighbors’” (plural possessive) can lure you into choosing the wrong verb or leaving a sentence sounding awkward.

• Tip 4: Read aloud to feel the rhythm. If something sounds off, it probably is off. A quick read-through often catches agreement mistakes that your eyes skipped on the first pass.

• Tip 5: Use quick substitutes. If you’re ever unsure, replace the head noun with a simpler one to test the verb: “One of the neighbors has/have a car” → “One person has a car.” The natural choice there is has.

Why this matters beyond a single question

Subject-verb agreement isn’t just a grammar drill; it’s the backbone of clear communication. When your sentences are consistent in number, your ideas land more smoothly. This matters whether you’re writing an essay for a class, drafting a note to a neighbor, or composing a post that people will scan quickly on a mobile screen. In contexts like the PACT Writing task, strong grammar helps your meaning shine through without getting in the way of your voice. It’s less about “following rules for rules’ sake” and more about making your message easy to follow.

A few quick context examples you can compare in your notes

• Correct (singular head): One of the neighbors has a hobby.

• Correct (plural head): The neighbors have a hobby, but that sentence doesn’t use “one of.” If you mean more than one, you’d shape the sentence differently: Some of the neighbors have hobbies.

• Playful contrast to see the trap: One of the neighbors have a loud dog. (Wrong)

One of the neighbors has a loud dog. (Right)

In practice, a lot of grammar confidence comes from noticing the small but powerful habit of starting with a clear head noun and letting it lead the rest of the sentence. The rest is punctuation, possession, and a dash of style.

Let’s connect this to some broader writing cues you’ll encounter

• Rhythm and readability. Short, sharp sentences work well after a longer one, especially when you’re explaining a rule. A sentence like “The head noun wears the crown. The rest of the phrase is a helpful accessory” keeps the reader moving without getting bogged down.

• Slightly casual tone, still precise. Your sentences can be friendly and readable while staying technically correct. A well-chosen example lands with authority and warmth, which helps when you’re conveying grammar ideas to a broad audience.

• Real-world anchors. It helps to anchor grammar rules in everyday usage. For example, talking about neighbors and everyday life can make a dry topic feel relevant. And yes, you can switch to a neutral example if your audience prefers a more formal vibe.

A short, practical practice set for you

• Rewrite these sentences so the verb agrees with the subject in brackets. Then check your results:

1. One of the neighbors (has/have) a dog.

2. The neighbors (has/have) a meeting tonight.

3. One of the neighbor’s (has/have) stories is true.

4. One of the neighbors’ (has/have) observations surprised me.

• Mirror the pattern with other head nouns:

• One of the teachers (is/are) present.

• All of the apples (is/are) ready to eat.

• None of the money (has/have) vanished.

If you go through a little exercise like that, you’ll start spotting the pattern quickly. It’s like noticing a familiar recipe in a new dish: once you recognize the core ingredient (the head noun), the rest falls into place.

Wrapping it up with a light, clear takeaway

• The phrase “one of the neighbors” centers on the singular head noun “one.” When you build a sentence around that, the verb should usually be singular: has.

• The options that show “the neighbors has” or “the neighbor’s have” or “the neighbors' have” are all trying to squeeze the wrong subject or the wrong possessive into the spot where the verb needs to agree with a singular head—or they simply misuse punctuation. That’s why option C stands out as the grammatically incorrect choice in this familiar setup.

• In everyday writing, the trick is to identify the head noun first, then let that word drive the verb. The prepositional phrase that follows—although descriptive—doesn’t take over the agreement unless the head noun itself changes.

If you’re exploring the broader terrain of PACT writing topics, keep this pattern in mind as you read and revise. Grammar is a tool for clarity, not a wall to climb. With a little practice, you’ll feel more confident catching these moments—the ones that can slyly tug at the flow of a sentence—before a reader ever stumbles.

And if you’re curious to see more examples or want quick reinforcement, you can check reputable grammar resources on the web—think Purdue OWL or the Cambridge Grammar guide. They’re handy references for spotting subject-verb agreement in more complex sentences, without getting lost in the weeds.

Bottom line: when you see one of the neighbors, remember the head noun is the boss. That singular word should steer the verb, and your sentences will glide along with a natural, confident rhythm.