Are these two sentences correct regarding subject and verb agreement? I am having trouble rationalizing why the second should get "are."

1. A small percentage of people is severely color challenged.

Subject: percentage. Verb: Is

2. Some 5% to 8% of males and 0.5% of females are born with various degrees of color vision deficiencies.

Subject: 5% to 8% and 0.5%. Verb: Are

Thank you.

The second sentence has a compound subject. Hence a plural verb. The %s and modifiers may be confusing the issue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by reinsuranc

Are these two sentences correct regarding subject and
verb agreement? I am having trouble rationalizing why the second should get "are."

1. A small percentage of people is severely color challenged.

Subject: percentage. Verb: Is

2. Some 5% to 8% of males and 0.5% of females are born with various degrees of color vision deficiencies.

Subject: 5% to 8% and 0.5%. Verb: Are

Thank you.

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Hi
You are absolutely correct.

In the first sentence you have a single subject .It is appropriate to use a singular verb"is".
" A small percentage of people is severely color challenged"

If you look at the second sentence you got two subjects and clearly a plural verb "are" should be used.

"Some 5% to 8% of males and 0.5% of females are born with various degrees of color vision deficiencies".
:)