Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with a compound subject?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with a compound subject?
- The dog and cat plays together in the yard.
- The dog and cat were playing together in the yard.
- The dog and cat play together in the yard. (correct)
- The dog and cat is playing together in the yard.
In which sentence is the subject-verb agreement correct despite an intervening phrase?
In which sentence is the subject-verb agreement correct despite an intervening phrase?
- The boxes of old book are stored in the attic.
- The boxes of old books is stored in the attic.
- The box of old books is stored in the attic. (correct)
- The box of old books are stored in the attic.
Choose the sentence that correctly uses subject-verb agreement with a collective noun acting as a single unit.
Choose the sentence that correctly uses subject-verb agreement with a collective noun acting as a single unit.
- The team is having a celebration dinner tonight. (correct)
- The team are arguing about their strategy.
- The family disagree about the vacation plans.
- The crew is eating their lunches.
Select the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement for a subject following 'there is/are.'
Select the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement for a subject following 'there is/are.'
Which sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement with a title that is plural in form?
Which sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement with a title that is plural in form?
Identify the sentence with proper subject-verb agreement where the subject is joined by 'or'.
Identify the sentence with proper subject-verb agreement where the subject is joined by 'or'.
Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with a noun that is plural in form but singular in meaning?
Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with a noun that is plural in form but singular in meaning?
Choose the sentence where the indefinite pronoun agrees with the verb.
Choose the sentence where the indefinite pronoun agrees with the verb.
Which sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement with 'The number of' or 'A number of'?
Which sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement with 'The number of' or 'A number of'?
Consider the following sentence: 'Many a student _____ to study abroad.' Which verb form correctly completes the sentence?
Consider the following sentence: 'Many a student _____ to study abroad.' Which verb form correctly completes the sentence?
Flashcards
Subject-verb agreement
Subject-verb agreement
Verbs must match their subjects in number: singular subjects use singular verbs, and plural subjects use plural verbs.
Singular subject
Singular subject
Refers to one person, place, thing, or idea, using verbs often ending in '-s' in the present tense.
Plural subject
Plural subject
Refers to more than one entity; verbs typically do not end in '-s' in the present tense.
Indefinite pronouns (singular)
Indefinite pronouns (singular)
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Collective nouns (singular)
Collective nouns (singular)
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Compound subjects ('and')
Compound subjects ('and')
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Collective nouns (plural)
Collective nouns (plural)
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Titles of works
Titles of works
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"There is/are"
"There is/are"
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Nouns plural in form, singular in meaning
Nouns plural in form, singular in meaning
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Study Notes
- Subject-verb agreement dictates that a verb must agree in number with its subject
- Singular subjects take singular verbs
- Plural subjects take plural verbs
Singular Subjects and Verbs
- Singular subjects refer to one person, place, thing, or idea
- Singular verbs often end in "-s" in the present tense (e.g., he sings, she writes, it runs)
- Indefinite pronouns such as "each," "every," "everyone," "someone," "somebody," "nobody," "anyone," and "anybody" are generally treated as singular
- Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be singular when they act as a single unit
Plural Subjects and Verbs
- Plural subjects refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea
- Plural verbs typically do not end in "-s" in the present tense (e.g., they sing, we write, dogs run)
- Compound subjects joined by "and" are usually plural and take plural verbs
- Collective nouns can be plural when the members of the group are acting individually.
Special Cases
- When a subject is separated from the verb by phrases or clauses, the verb must still agree with the actual subject
- With "there is" and "there are," the subject follows the verb; agreement depends on what follows "is" or "are."
- Subjects joined by "or" or "nor" usually take a verb that agrees with the subject closest to the verb
- Titles of books, movies, and organizations are treated as singular, even if plural in form
- Some nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning (e.g., news, mathematics, measles); these take singular verbs
- "Many a/an + singular noun" takes a singular verb
- "The number of + plural noun" takes a singular verb, while "a number of + plural noun" takes a plural verb
Common Errors to Avoid
- Ignoring intervening phrases when identifying the subject
- Assuming that nouns ending in "-s" are always plural
- Confusing collective nouns with plural nouns
- Not identifying the true subject after "there is/are" constructions
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Description
Understand subject-verb agreement with singular and plural examples. Learn how to handle indefinite pronouns and collective nouns. Improve grammar skills with these rules.
