Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which verb form is used with singular subjects?
Which verb form is used with singular subjects?
What type of verb is used when a compound subject is connected by 'and'?
What type of verb is used when a compound subject is connected by 'and'?
Which of the following subjects would require a plural verb?
Which of the following subjects would require a plural verb?
With compound subjects joined by 'or', what determines the verb form?
With compound subjects joined by 'or', what determines the verb form?
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What type of noun is 'team' when referred to as a collective noun?
What type of noun is 'team' when referred to as a collective noun?
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Which of the following indefinite pronouns takes a singular verb?
Which of the following indefinite pronouns takes a singular verb?
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What type of subject is a 'pair' considered to be?
What type of subject is a 'pair' considered to be?
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In the phrase 'one of the stars who...', what type of verb is required?
In the phrase 'one of the stars who...', what type of verb is required?
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Study Notes
Subject-Verb Agreement
- Singular subjects require singular verbs.
- Example: "The train runs from Phoenix to El Paso."
- Plural subjects require plural verbs.
- Example: "The trains run all night long."
- Compound subjects with "and" require plural verbs.
- Example: "Pizza and cauliflower taste great together."
- Compound subjects with "or" or "nor" can take singular or plural verbs.
- Use a singular verb if the subject closest to the verb is singular.
- Example: "Either Jeff or Jane knows the answer."
- Use a plural verb if the subject closest to the verb is plural.
- Example: "Either Jeff or his sisters know the answer."
- Use a singular verb if the subject closest to the verb is singular.
- Collective nouns can be singular or plural.
- Singular collective nouns take singular verbs.
- Example: "The team is practicing."
- Plural collective nouns take plural verbs.
- Example: "The team members are practicing"
- Singular collective nouns take singular verbs.
- Indefinite pronouns like "anything," "anyone," "each," etc. are singular and require singular verbs.
- Example: "Nobody likes fondue anymore."
- "Pair" is singular, even though it refers to two things.
- Example: "That old pair of jeans has treated me well."
- Plural-form subjects are often singular when used as titles.
- Example: "Physics is an essential subject."
- Gerunds, which act as nouns, are singular and take singular verbs.
- Example: "Swimming was the sport that taught me how to win."
- The phrase "one of the [plural noun] who/that" requires a singular verb.
- Example: "Mr. Lee is one of the teachers who coaches sports after school."
- "They" can be singular or plural.
- Use a singular verb if "they" refers to one individual.
- Example: "They are going to the store."
- Use a plural verb if "they" refers to a group of people.
- Example: "They are going to the store."
- Use a singular verb if "they" refers to one individual.
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Description
Test your knowledge on subject-verb agreement rules. This quiz covers singular and plural subjects, compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns. Perfect for grammar enthusiasts looking to sharpen their skills.
