Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz

Study Notes

Subject-Verb Agreement

Definition: The grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must agree in number and person with its verb.
Basic Rules:
- Singular Subjects take singular verbs.
  - Example: The cat runs fast.
- Plural Subjects take plural verbs.
  - Example: The cats run fast.
Identifying Subjects:
- The subject tells who or what the sentence is about.
- Often found at the beginning of the sentence.
Rules for Agreement:
1. Compound Subjects: When joined by "and," use a plural verb.
  - Example: The cat and the dog are playing.
2. Subjects Joined by "or" or "nor": The verb agrees with the nearer subject.
  - Example: The dog or the cats are outside.
3. Indefinite Pronouns: Some, such as "everyone" or "each," take singular verbs.
  - Example: Everyone is invited to the party.
4. Collective Nouns: Usually take singular verbs if considered a single unit, but can take plural verbs when emphasizing individual members.
  - Example (singular): The team wins the game.
  - Example (plural): The team are arguing among themselves.
5. Titles: Treated as singular, no matter how many words.
  - Example: "The Chronicles of Narnia is a popular series."
6. Fractions and Percentages: Agree with the noun they refer to, not the fraction itself.
  - Example: Half of the pie is gone.
Common Exceptions:
- When the subject follows the verb, ensure agreement remains correct.
  - Example: There are many students in the classroom.
Complex Subjects: Pay close attention to the main subject in longer subjects.
- Example: The quality of the apples is questionable.
Importance: Proper subject-verb agreement is crucial for clarity and professionalism in writing. It strengthens communication and avoids confusion.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Agreement: The subject of a sentence must match its verb in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).
Basic Agreement:
- Singular subjects take singular verbs: "The cat runs fast."
- Plural subjects take plural verbs: "The cats run fast."
Identifying Subjects:
- Subjects tell who or what the sentence is about.
- Subjects are often found at the beginning of a sentence.
Agreement Rules:
- Compound Subjects: When two or more subjects are joined by "and," use a plural verb: "The cat and the dog are playing."
- "Or" / "Nor": The verb agrees with the subject closer to it: "The dog or the cats are outside."
- Indefinite Pronouns: Pronouns like "everyone," "each" and "somebody" take singular verbs" "Everyone is invited to the party."
- Collective Nouns: Treat these nouns as singular when referring to the group as a whole: "The team wins the game." But they can be plural when emphasizing individual members: "The team are arguing among themselves."
- Titles: Titles of books, movies, etc., are treated as singular: "The Chronicles of Narnia is a popular series."
- Fractions and Percentages: Agree with the noun they refer to: "Half of the pie is gone."
Special Notes:
- When the verb comes before the subject, ensure agreement is still correct: "There are many students in the classroom."
- Pay close attention to the main subject when dealing with longer, complex subjects: "The quality of the apples is questionable."
Why It Matters: Subject-verb agreement is important for clear and professional writing. It helps avoid confusion and makes your writing easier to understand.

Description

Test your understanding of subject-verb agreement rules in English grammar. This quiz covers basic rules, how to identify subjects, and special cases, such as compound subjects and indefinite pronouns. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their grammar skills.