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Questions and Answers
When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a ______ verb.
When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a ______ verb.
singular
When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is ______ the verb.
When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is ______ the verb.
nearer
Collective nouns are considered ______ and take a singular verb.
Collective nouns are considered ______ and take a singular verb.
singular
If the focus is on the individuals in the group, the ______ verb is used.
If the focus is on the individuals in the group, the ______ verb is used.
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Subjects modified by quantifiers such as 'each,' 'every,' or 'all' may require a specific verb form to ensure ______.
Subjects modified by quantifiers such as 'each,' 'every,' or 'all' may require a specific verb form to ensure ______.
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Subjects connected by 'but' or 'not' can lead to complexities in subject-verb ______.
Subjects connected by 'but' or 'not' can lead to complexities in subject-verb ______.
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A singular subject must have a ______ verb.
A singular subject must have a ______ verb.
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When using the singular 'they,' use ______ verb forms.
When using the singular 'they,' use ______ verb forms.
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A plural subject must have a ______ verb.
A plural subject must have a ______ verb.
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When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the ______.
When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the ______.
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When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a ______ verb.
When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a ______ verb.
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In English grammar, subject-verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in terms of ______.
In English grammar, subject-verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in terms of ______.
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Study Notes
Subject-Verb Agreement: Understanding the Basics
Graphic Overview
In English grammar, subject-verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject (the thing doing the action) and the verb (the action itself) in a sentence. The verb must agree with the subject in terms of number, meaning that singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs. Additionally, there are several rules to consider when determining subject-verb agreement, such as using the correct verb form based on the subject's position in the sentence and understanding the context of the sentence.
Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
Singular Subjects
- A singular subject must have a singular verb. Example: "The cat runs."
- When using the singular "they," use plural verb forms. Example: "The participant expressed satisfaction with their job."
Plural Subjects
- A plural subject must have a plural verb. Example: "They write every day."
- When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the subject. Example: "Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of participants."
Compound Subjects
- When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb. Example: "The doctoral student and the committee members write every day."
- When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb. Example: "The student or the committee members write every day."
- When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb. Example: "The student or the committee members write every day."
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular and take a singular verb, such as group, team, committee, class, and family. However, the plural verb is used if the focus is on the individuals in the group.
Exceptional Cases
There are some cases where the subject-verb agreement may not be as straightforward as the rules above. These include:
- Subjects modified by quantifiers such as "each," "every," or "all"
- Subjects connected by "but" or "not"
- Subjects introduced by "there is" or "there are"
- Subjects preceded by adverbs like "only," "even," or "also"
- Special cases involving "none" or "some"
These exceptional cases often require additional context and understanding to determine the appropriate verb form. It is essential to consider the specific situation and the intended meaning when determining subject-verb agreement in these scenarios.
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Description
Test your knowledge of subject-verb agreement basics in English grammar with this quiz. Covering singular subjects, plural subjects, compound subjects, collective nouns, and exceptional cases, this quiz will challenge your understanding of when to use singular and plural verbs based on different subject scenarios.
