Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz

Subject-Verb Agreement: Singular vs. Plural Subjects

• Definition: Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the verb must match the subject in number (singular or plural).

Singular Subjects

• A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea.
• Rule: Use a singular verb form (usually ends in -s or -es in present tense).
  • Examples:
    • The cat runs fast.
    • She reads a book.

Plural Subjects

• A plural subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
• Rule: Use a plural verb form (does not end in -s or -es in present tense).
  • Examples:
    • The cats run fast.
    • They read books.

Key Points

• Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns are treated as singular (e.g., anyone, everyone) while others are plural (e.g., several, few).

  • Singular Example: Everyone is welcome.
  • Plural Example: Few are attending.

• Compound Subjects: When subjects are joined by 'and,' they are typically plural.

  • Example: The dog and the cat are playing.

• Using 'Or' or 'Nor': When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb.

  • Example: Either the teacher or the students are responsible.

• Collective Nouns: A collective noun can be singular or plural depending on whether the group acts as one unit or as individuals.

  • Singular Example: The team wins the game.
  • Plural Example: The team are arguing among themselves.

• Exceptions: Some nouns that appear plural may still take a singular verb (e.g., mathematics, news).

  • Example: Mathematics is my favorite subject.

Tips for Correct Usage

• Identify the subject and determine if it is singular or plural.
• Choose the correct verb form that corresponds to the subject’s number.
• Be cautious with collective nouns and compound subjects to ensure proper agreement.

Subject-Verb Agreement Overview

• Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule ensuring the verb matches the subject in number, either singular or plural.

Singular Subjects

• Singular subjects denote one entity, whether a person, place, thing, or idea.
• Rule: Use a singular verb form, which often ends in -s or -es in present tense.
• Examples include:
  • The cat runs fast.
  • She reads a book.

Plural Subjects

• Plural subjects represent more than one entity.
• Rule: Use a plural verb form that does not end in -s or -es in present tense.
• Examples include:
  • The cats run fast.
  • They read books.

Key Points

• Indefinite Pronouns: Some are singular (e.g., anyone, everyone) and some are plural (e.g., several, few).
  • Singular Example: Everyone is welcome.
  • Plural Example: Few are attending.
• Compound Subjects: Subjects linked by 'and' are treated as plural.
  • Example: The dog and the cat are playing.
• Using 'Or' or 'Nor': The verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb.
  • Example: Either the teacher or the students are responsible.
• Collective Nouns: These can be singular or plural based on whether the group acts as one unit or individuals.
  • Singular Example: The team wins the game.
  • Plural Example: The team are arguing among themselves.
• Exceptions: Certain nouns that appear plural take a singular verb, such as mathematics or news.
  • Example: Mathematics is my favorite subject.

Tips for Correct Usage

• Identify the subject to determine if it’s singular or plural.
• Select the appropriate verb form that matches the subject's number.
• Pay attention to collective nouns and compound subjects to ensure correct agreement.