Subject-Verb Agreement Rules Quiz

Study Notes

Subject-Verb Agreement

Rules of Agreement

Basic Rule: A subject must agree with its verb in number (singular or plural).
Singular Subjects: Require singular verbs (e.g., "The cat runs.").
Plural Subjects: Require plural verbs (e.g., "The cats run.").
Compound Subjects:
- Joined by "and" take a plural verb (e.g., "Tom and Jerry are friends.").
- Joined by "or" or "nor" take a verb that agrees with the closest subject (e.g., "Neither the dog nor the cats are outside.").
Indefinite Pronouns:
- Some are always singular (e.g., "everyone," "each," "someone") and take singular verbs (e.g., "Everyone is here.").
- Some are always plural (e.g., "few," "many," "several") and take plural verbs (e.g., "Many are called.").
- Some can be singular or plural based on context (e.g., "all," "some," "none").
Collective Nouns:
- Generally treated as singular when the group acts as a unit (e.g., "The team wins.").
- Treated as plural when individuals within the group act separately (e.g., "The team are arguing among themselves.").
Titles and Names: Usually singular, even if plural in form (e.g., "The United States is a country.").
Fractions and Percentages:
- Use a singular verb if the noun is singular (e.g., "Fifty percent of the cake is gone.").
- Use a plural verb if the noun is plural (e.g., "Fifty percent of the cookies are missing.").

Singular vs Plural Subjects

Singular Subjects:
- Indicate one person, place, thing, or idea.
- Take singular verbs (e.g., "The book is on the table.").
Plural Subjects:
- Indicate more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
- Take plural verbs (e.g., "The books are on the table.").
Identifying Singular vs Plural:
- Look for the main noun in the subject.
- Consider modifiers that do not affect number (e.g., "a group of," "a couple of").
Common Singular and Plural Nouns:
- Singular: child, mouse, foot, person
- Plural: children, mice, feet, people

Understanding and applying these rules ensures accurate subject-verb agreement in writing and speech.

Rules of Agreement

Subjects must match verbs in number: singular with singular, plural with plural.
Singular subjects require singular verbs; for example, "The cat runs."
Plural subjects require plural verbs; for example, "The cats run."
Compound subjects connected by "and" use a plural verb, such as "Tom and Jerry are friends."
Compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor" take a verb that agrees with the nearest subject, e.g., "Neither the dog nor the cats are outside."
Certain indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., "everyone," "each") and require singular verbs.
Indefinite pronouns like "few," "many," and "several" are always plural and take plural verbs.
Indefinite pronouns like "all," "some," and "none" can be singular or plural depending on context.
Collective nouns are typically treated as singular when acting as a unit, e.g., "The team wins."
Collective nouns are treated as plural when emphasizing individual actions, e.g., "The team are arguing among themselves."
Titles and names are generally singular in form, e.g., "The United States is a country."
Use a singular verb with singular nouns in fractions or percentages, e.g., "Fifty percent of the cake is gone."
Use a plural verb with plural nouns in fractions or percentages, e.g., "Fifty percent of the cookies are missing."

Singular vs Plural Subjects

Singular subjects indicate one entity (person, place, thing, or idea) and take singular verbs, as in "The book is on the table."
Plural subjects indicate more than one entity and require plural verbs, as in "The books are on the table."
To identify singular versus plural subjects, focus on the main noun in the subject.
Modifiers such as "a group of" or "a couple of" do not affect the subject's number.

Common Singular and Plural Nouns

Singular nouns include: child, mouse, foot, person.
Plural nouns include: children, mice, feet, people.
Mastery of these rules enhances clarity and accuracy in writing and conversation.

Description

Test your knowledge on subject-verb agreement rules with this quiz. You'll learn about singular and plural subjects, compound subjects, indefinite pronouns, and collective nouns. Strengthen your grammar skills and ensure your sentences are correct!