Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules and Examples
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Questions and Answers

Which verb form should be used when the subject refers to a group of items that are not related?

  • Plural verb
  • Either plural or singular verb
  • Singular verb (correct)
  • No verb is needed

    • How should the verb be conjugated when the subject is a modal verb?

  • The modal verb takes the same form as the subject (correct)
  • The modal verb does not need to be conjugated
  • The modal verb takes the past participle form
  • The modal verb takes the infinitive form

    • Which type of objects require a singular verb?

  • Neither countable nor uncountable objects
  • Both countable and uncountable objects
  • Uncountable objects
  • Countable objects (correct)

    • What is the correct verb form for the sentence 'John lifted five squares'?

    <p>lifted</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the correct verb form for the sentence 'Many teachers give tests'?

    <p>give</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How should the verb be conjugated when the subject is a group noun that refers to a collection of individuals?

    <p>The verb can be either plural or singular depending on the context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the sentence 'The team ___ practicing diligently,' which verb form is correct?

    <p>is</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sentence illustrates the correct subject-verb agreement?

    <p>Every one of the committee members disagrees with the proposal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify the sentence with an error in subject-verb agreement.

    <p>A series of lectures were scheduled for the conference.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the sentence 'Physics ___ a challenging subject,' which verb form is correct?

    <p>is</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sentence correctly uses the compound subject rule?

    <p>Bread and butter are my favorite foods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify the sentence that violates the subject-verb agreement rule for collective nouns.

    <p>The class are divided into groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Subject-Verb Agreement

    In English grammar, subject-verb agreement, also known as subject-verb concord, is the principle where the subject and verb in a sentence have the same number, person, and gender. This guide explains the rules of subject-verb concord, provides examples, and answers frequently asked questions on this topic.

    Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

    For most cases, the rule is to use a singular verb with a singular subject and a plural verb with a plural subject. However, there are exceptions:

    1. Contraction with the verb "to be": When the subject is a singular noun and the verb "to be" is contracted with a pronoun, use the singular form of the verb:
      • A cat is sleeping.
      • He is a teacher.
    2. Quantifiers or pronouns with singular meaning: Sometimes quantifiers or pronouns can create a singular meaning together with a noun. In such cases, use the singular form of the verb:
      • Each book needs a review.
      • Every student registered.
    3. Compound subjects: For compound subjects consisting of multiple singular subjects connected by "and," use the singular form of the verb:
      • The cats and the dog bark.
      • My family and I live in London.

    However, if the compound subject consists of multiple plural subjects connected by "or," use the plural form of the verb:

    • Cats or dogs grow old.
    • Students or professors teach classes.

    1. Collective nouns: Collective nouns can show singular or plural behavior. When acting as a single group, use the singular form of the verb. Otherwise, use the plural form:

      • The team is training.
      • The team are scattered around.

    2. Exceptional verbs: Some verbs are never preceded by a numeral, and others are never part of a numbered collection:

      • No dogs have tails.
      • Only vowels are pronounced differently in this sentence.

    3. Appositive and other descriptive phrases: When writing about groups of items that aren't related, use the singular verb:

      • The red and blue cars were parked separately.

    4. Modal verbs: Modals place the subject in a certain tense or voice but don't change their own form. In such cases, use the corresponding base form of the subject:

      • She might have gone shopping.
      • They may want to read the article.

    5. Countable objects: With countable objects, use a singular verb:

      • A cup of coffee costs $0.25.

    6. Uncountable objects: Uncountable objects require a singular verb:

      • Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

    Check Your Understanding of Subject-Verb Agreement

    Consider the following sentences, underline the correct verb form:

    • John lifted five squares.
    • Many teachers give tests.

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    Description

    Explore the rules of subject-verb agreement in English grammar through explanations and examples. Learn how to match the number, person, and gender of the subject with the appropriate verb form. Test your understanding by identifying correct subject-verb agreement in sentences.

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