agreement by proximity
The verb agreeing with a nearer noun instead of the subject.
The verb agrees with the subject. A nearer noun—in an of-phrase, a relative clause, a parenthetical, or other adjectival construction—does not control the verb: The list of demands is short, not are. In one of those editors who, who refers to editors, so the relative clause takes a plural verb: She is one of those editors who check every citation, not who checks. If the verb sits inside the of-phrase, the relative clause, or other adjectival construction, it agrees with the noun in that phrase or clause: a list of demands that are overdue.
Examples
UseThe list of demands is short. (verb agrees with list)
AvoidThe list of demands are short. (verb wrongly agrees with demands)
UseShe is one of those editors who check every citation. (who refers to editors)
AvoidShe is one of those editors who checks every citation. (singular verb; wrongly assumes who refers to she)
Usea list of demands that are overdue (verb inside the relative clause)