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Questions and Answers
Which verb correctly completes the sentence: 'The teacher, as well as her students, _____ excited about the field trip.'
Which verb correctly completes the sentence: 'The teacher, as well as her students, _____ excited about the field trip.'
Identify the correct verb form: 'Each of the players _____ suited up for the game.'
Identify the correct verb form: 'Each of the players _____ suited up for the game.'
What verb should be used in the sentence: 'Neither the cat nor the dogs _____ interested in the new toy.'
What verb should be used in the sentence: 'Neither the cat nor the dogs _____ interested in the new toy.'
Choose the correct verb: 'The committee _____ making decisions for the upcoming event.'
Choose the correct verb: 'The committee _____ making decisions for the upcoming event.'
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Which option completes the sentence correctly? 'Many students _____ attending the festival this weekend.'
Which option completes the sentence correctly? 'Many students _____ attending the festival this weekend.'
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Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement? 'Some of the cake _____ already eaten by the children.'
Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement? 'Some of the cake _____ already eaten by the children.'
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Identify the correct sentence: 'My friend and I _____ planning a surprise party.'
Identify the correct sentence: 'My friend and I _____ planning a surprise party.'
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What verb fits: 'Either the teacher or the assistants _____ responsible for this project.'
What verb fits: 'Either the teacher or the assistants _____ responsible for this project.'
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Study Notes
Subject-Verb Agreement Overview
- Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammatical rule in English.
- It dictates that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.
- A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
Identifying the Subject
- The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is the focus of the sentence.
- Locate the subject to determine if it is singular or plural to ensure the correct verb form.
Singular Subjects
- Singular subjects generally end in a singular noun or pronoun; for example, he, she, it, and the name of a person, place, thing or idea.
- Singular subjects often require singular verbs like is, are, was, were, etc.
Plural Subjects
- Plural subjects generally contain a plural noun or pronoun; for example, they, we, you and plural nouns.
- Plural subjects often require plural verbs like are, were, have, etc.
Compound Subjects
- A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by and.
- If the subjects are joined by and, treat the subject as plural.
- Examples: The dog and the cat (plural) are enjoying.
Compound Subjects Joined by 'or' or 'nor'
- If the subjects joined by or or nor are different numbers (one singular and one plural), the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to the verb.
- Example: The dog or the cats is barking. (cats is closer to the verb, therefore the verb is plural.)
Subjects with intervening phrases or clauses
- Phrases or clauses between the subject and verb do not change the number of the subject.
- The verb in the sentence must still agree in number with the subject.
Indefinite Pronouns
- Some indefinite pronouns are singular, while others are plural.
- You must ensure that the indefinite pronoun agrees with the verb.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
- Singular indefinite pronouns include: anyone, anything, each, either, neither, nobody, no one, one, somebody, someone, something.
- These singular indefinite pronouns call for singular verbs.
Plural Indefinite Pronouns
- Plural indefinite pronouns include: both, few, many, several.
- These plural indefinite pronouns call for plural verbs.
Collective Nouns
- Collective nouns (like team, committee, family, etc.) can be singular or plural depending on the context in the sentence.
- Treat the collective noun as singular if it refers to the group as a whole.
- Treat the collective noun as plural if it refers to the individual members of the group.
Exceptions and Special Cases
- There/here as subjects. Example: There is no answer. Here are some solutions. There are several.
- Other exceptions include The news and the kind of (plural).
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Description
This quiz covers the essential rules of subject-verb agreement in English grammar. It explains how subjects and verbs must agree in number and provides examples of both singular and plural forms. Test your understanding of these fundamental concepts in English grammar.
