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Questions and Answers
A singular subject requires a plural verb.
A singular subject requires a plural verb.
False
The dog and the cat are playing together. The verb 'are' is plural because the subjects are joined by 'and'.
The dog and the cat are playing together. The verb 'are' is plural because the subjects are joined by 'and'.
True
The group of students were excited about their trip. The verb 'were' is correct for the subject 'group'.
The group of students were excited about their trip. The verb 'were' is correct for the subject 'group'.
False
Each of the players have their own locker. The verb 'have' is correct.
Each of the players have their own locker. The verb 'have' is correct.
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Neither the teacher nor the students was present today. The verb 'was' is correct since 'students' is plural.
Neither the teacher nor the students was present today. The verb 'was' is correct since 'students' is plural.
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The committee are making decisions based on the survey. The verb 'are' is appropriate because the committee consists of members.
The committee are making decisions based on the survey. The verb 'are' is appropriate because the committee consists of members.
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Many of the cake was eaten at the party. The verb 'was' should be singular due to 'many'.
Many of the cake was eaten at the party. The verb 'was' should be singular due to 'many'.
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The family, including the parents and children, are going on vacation. The verb 'are' is appropriate based on 'family'.
The family, including the parents and children, are going on vacation. The verb 'are' is appropriate based on 'family'.
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Study Notes
Subject-Verb Agreement Basics
- Subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must agree with the subject in number (singular or plural).
- A singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb.
- This rule applies to all tenses of verbs.
Identifying the Subject
- The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb.
- Find the subject to determine whether it is singular or plural.
Singular Subjects
- Singular nouns: dog, cat, city, house
- Singular pronouns: he, she, it, this, that
- Indefinite pronouns (singular): each, either, neither, one, someone, everybody, anyone, nobody, etc.
Plural Subjects
- Plural nouns: dogs, cats, cities, houses
- Plural pronouns: we, they, you, these, those
- Indefinite pronouns (plural): both, few, many, several, others
- Compound subjects joined by "and": Generally, compound subjects joined by "and" are plural.
Special Cases
- Compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor": The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- Example: The cat or the dogs bark loudly. (The verb "bark" is singular because "cat" is singular. )
- Example: Neither the dog nor the cats are good with children. (The verb "are" is plural because "cats" is plural)
- Subjects with intervening phrases: Ignore intervening phrases when determining agreement. The verb agrees with the subject.
- Example: The dog, despite the loud noises, is very calm. (The verb "is" is singular because "dog" is singular. )
- Example: My family, including my sister and brother, are having a lot of fun. (The verb "are" is plural since "family" is singular and the intervening “including my sister and brother” makes it plural.)
- Subjects that are collective nouns: The verb agrees with the meaning of the sentence.
- Example: The team is practicing. (Focus is on the team as a unit.)
- Example: The team are spread throughout the local park. (Focus on the individual members of the team).
- Titles, names of organizations, and some other nouns: These often take a singular verb even if they may contain plural words.
- Example: The United Nations is a powerful organization.
- Example: The Board of Directors was pleased.
- Indefinite pronouns: Use singular verbs with singular indefinite pronouns; use plural verbs with plural indefinite pronouns.
- Example: One of the dogs chewed the table leg. (Singular verb with singular pronoun "one")
- Example: Several of the dogs have been playing. (Plural verb with plural pronoun "several")
Exception: When the subject comes after the verb
- Some sentences have the subject after the verb, this will require you to rearrange the sentence in order for you to determine the subject verb agreement.
Practice
- Regularly practicing identifying subjects and verbs will improve your understanding of subject-verb agreement.
- Start with simple sentences to gain more understanding of the rule.
- Introduce more complex sentences to hone the skill.
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Description
Test your understanding of subject-verb agreement with this quiz! You will learn how to identify singular and plural subjects and apply the correct verb forms accordingly. Perfect for mastering this fundamental grammar rule.
