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Questions and Answers
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement when a phrase separates the subject and verb?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement when a phrase separates the subject and verb?
- The box of chocolates, among other things, were delivered this morning.
- The captain of the guard, as well as his sergeants, is responsible for the security breach. (correct)
- The leader of the climbers, along with his team, are ascending the mountain rapidly.
- The quality of the recordings, in addition to the performance, are excellent.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses a compound subject joined by 'or' or 'nor'?
Which of the following sentences correctly uses a compound subject joined by 'or' or 'nor'?
- Neither the students nor the teacher were present for the assembly.
- Neither the coach nor the players wants to forfeit the game.
- Either the cat or the dogs is responsible for the mess in the kitchen. (correct)
- Either the senators or the president are going to veto the bill.
In which sentence is the collective noun used with a plural verb, indicating the members are acting individually?
In which sentence is the collective noun used with a plural verb, indicating the members are acting individually?
- The family is united in their decision.
- The jury are divided in their opinions regarding the defendant's guilt. (correct)
- The committee has decided to postpone the meeting.
- The team is practicing hard for the championship.
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with an indefinite pronoun?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with an indefinite pronoun?
Select the sentence that correctly uses subject-verb agreement with the phrase 'a number of' or 'the number of'.
Select the sentence that correctly uses subject-verb agreement with the phrase 'a number of' or 'the number of'.
Which sentence correctly demonstrates subject-verb agreement in a question?
Which sentence correctly demonstrates subject-verb agreement in a question?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with a relative pronoun?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with a relative pronoun?
Choose the sentence with proper subject-verb agreement when the subject follows the verb.
Choose the sentence with proper subject-verb agreement when the subject follows the verb.
Identify the sentence that correctly uses a plural indefinite pronoun with its verb.
Identify the sentence that correctly uses a plural indefinite pronoun with its verb.
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement when using 'some,' 'any,' 'none,' 'all,' or 'most'?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement when using 'some,' 'any,' 'none,' 'all,' or 'most'?
Flashcards
Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement
The verb must agree in number with its subject. Singular subjects use singular verbs; plural subjects use plural verbs.
Agreement in Complex Sentences
Agreement in Complex Sentences
The verb agrees with the main subject, ignoring nouns/pronouns in modifying phrases/clauses.
Subjects Joined by "And"
Subjects Joined by "And"
Subjects joined by 'and' usually take a plural verb. If they refer to the same thing, the verb is singular.
Subjects Joined by "Or/Nor"
Subjects Joined by "Or/Nor"
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Collective Nouns
Collective Nouns
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Exceptions: 'Each' vs. 'A number of'
Exceptions: 'Each' vs. 'A number of'
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Agreement Rules
Agreement Rules
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Singular Subjects
Singular Subjects
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Plural Subjects
Plural Subjects
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Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite Pronouns
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Study Notes
- Subject-verb agreement in English dictates that a verb must agree in number with its subject
- Singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs
- Mastery of subject-verb agreement enhances clarity and precision in writing
Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Sentences
- In complex sentences, the verb agrees with the main subject, not with nouns or pronouns in modifying phrases or clauses
- Identifying the main subject is crucial for correct agreement
- Words that come between the subject and verb don't change the number of the subject.
- Examples of phrases that can come between subjects and verbs include: along with, as well as, besides, in addition to
Compound Subjects
- Compound subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb
- If the parts of the compound subject refer to the same person or thing, or form a single unit, the verb is singular
- Compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor" take a verb that agrees with the subject closest to the verb
Exceptions to Agreement
- Collective nouns (e.g., team, family) can be singular or plural, depending on whether they act as a unit or as individuals
- When the collective noun acts as a unit, use a singular verb
- When the members of the collective act individually, use a plural verb
- "Each," "every," "each one," "everyone," "everybody," "someone," "somebody," "no one," and "nobody" are always singular
- Phrases like "a number of" take a plural verb, while "the number of" takes a singular verb
Rules of Agreement
- Intervening phrases and clauses do not affect subject-verb agreement
- Sentences beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the verb
- Questions require attention to subject-verb order
- Relative pronouns (who, which, that) take a verb that agrees with their antecedent
Singular vs. Plural Subjects
- Singular subjects refer to one person, place, thing, or idea; they take singular verbs
- Plural subjects refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea; they take plural verbs
- Singular indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, somebody) always take singular verbs
- Plural indefinite pronouns (e.g., several, few, both, many) always take plural verbs
- Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., some, any, none, all, most) can be singular or plural depending on the context
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