Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the correct verb form for the sentence: 'Either the cat or the dogs ____ in the garden.'?
What is the correct verb form for the sentence: 'Either the cat or the dogs ____ in the garden.'?
- was (correct)
- is
- are
- were
Indefinite pronouns like 'many' and 'few' take singular verbs.
Indefinite pronouns like 'many' and 'few' take singular verbs.
False (B)
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
- Either the cat or the dogs is outside.
- Neither the teacher nor the students was aware of the change.
- The group of students are excited about the trip.
- The flock of birds is migrating south for the winter. (correct)
Collective nouns always take a plural verb form.
Collective nouns always take a plural verb form.
What verb form is used when gerunds are linked by 'and'?
What verb form is used when gerunds are linked by 'and'?
Half of the cake ____ missing from the table.
Half of the cake ____ missing from the table.
What type of verb should be used when the subject is preceded by 'each'?
What type of verb should be used when the subject is preceded by 'each'?
Each of the players ______ a different strategy in the game.
Each of the players ______ a different strategy in the game.
Which of the following sentences is correct?
Which of the following sentences is correct?
Match the rules of subject-verb agreement with their explanations:
Match the rules of subject-verb agreement with their explanations:
Match the sentences with their proper verb forms:
Match the sentences with their proper verb forms:
The singular verb form is used for collective nouns regardless of context.
The singular verb form is used for collective nouns regardless of context.
Which of the following sentences uses the correct verb form for a compound subject?
Which of the following sentences uses the correct verb form for a compound subject?
Inverted subjects must always agree with the verb.
Inverted subjects must always agree with the verb.
What is the verb form when two infinitives are separated by 'and'?
What is the verb form when two infinitives are separated by 'and'?
There ______ many opportunities for learning.
There ______ many opportunities for learning.
Flashcards
Singular Subjects
Singular Subjects
Singular subjects connected by 'or', 'nor', 'either/or', 'neither/nor', or 'not only/but also' take singular verbs.
Plural Subjects
Plural Subjects
Plural subjects connected by 'or', 'nor', 'either/or', 'neither/nor', or 'not only/but also' take plural verbs.
Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional Phrases
The object of the preposition determines the verb's number when the subject is followed by a prepositional phrase.
Units of Measurement
Units of Measurement
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Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite Pronouns
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Specific Pronouns
Specific Pronouns
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Two Infinitives
Two Infinitives
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Gerunds as Subjects
Gerunds as Subjects
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Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement
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Intervening words
Intervening words
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Either/Or, Neither/Nor, Not Only/But Also
Either/Or, Neither/Nor, Not Only/But Also
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'There' or 'Here' sentences
'There' or 'Here' sentences
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Collective Nouns
Collective Nouns
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Each/Every/No
Each/Every/No
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Inverted Sentences
Inverted Sentences
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Study Notes
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
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Rule 1: Subjects and verbs must agree in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
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Rule 2: Words between the subject and verb do not affect the agreement.
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Rule 3: Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb do not affect the agreement.
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Rule 4: With connecting words like "either/or," "neither/nor," and "not only/but also," the verb agrees with the noun closest to it.
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Rule 5: In sentences starting with "there" or "here," the subject follows the verb.
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Rule 6: Collective nouns are singular when treated as a unit, plural when treated as individuals.
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Rule 7: Subjects preceded by "each," "every," or "no" take a singular verb.
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Rule 8: Inverted sentences (verb before subject), the subject still determines the verb's form.
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Rule 9: Compound subjects joined by "and" take a plural verb.
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Rule 10: Titles of works (books, movies, etc.) are treated as singular nouns.
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Rule 11: Compound subjects joined by "and" referring to a single thing take a singular verb.
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Rule 12: With connecting words like "or," "nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," and "not only/but also" connecting singular subjects, the verb is singular. If the connecting words link plural subjects, the verb is plural.
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Rule 13: "Or," "nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," and "not only/but also" linking plural subjects take a plural verb.
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Rule 14: The object of a preposition does not affect the verb. Only the subject is relevant. The number of the object dictates the verb only if the subject uses words like "some," "half," "none," "all."
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Rule 15: Units of measurement take a singular verb.
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Rule 16: Indefinite pronouns (someone, nobody, anybody) take singular verbs.
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Rule 17: Specific pronouns (few, many, several, both) take plural verbs.
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Rule 18: Two infinitives joined by "and" take a plural verb.
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Rule 19: When gerunds are used as a subject in a sentence, they take a singular form of the verb. But when they are linked by and, they take the plural form.
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Rule 20: Only the subject affects the verb.
Infinitives
- Infinitives are verb forms beginning with "to" (e.g., to run, to eat).
Gerunds
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Gerunds are verbal nouns formed by adding "-ing" to verbs.
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Singular gerunds take singular verbs; plural gerunds take plural verbs.
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A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.
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The only factor determining the verb form is the subject, not any object, or any prepositional phrase object.
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Description
Test your knowledge of subject-verb agreement rules! This quiz covers various principles that dictate how subjects and verbs must match in number and form. Determine your understanding of these essential grammar concepts.
