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.'?
Indefinite pronouns like 'many' and 'few' take singular verbs.
Indefinite pronouns like 'many' and 'few' take singular verbs.
False
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
Collective nouns always take a plural verb form.
Collective nouns always take a plural verb form.
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What verb form is used when gerunds are linked by 'and'?
What verb form is used when gerunds are linked by 'and'?
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Half of the cake ____ missing from the table.
Half of the cake ____ missing from the table.
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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'?
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Each of the players ______ a different strategy in the game.
Each of the players ______ a different strategy in the game.
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Which of the following sentences is correct?
Which of the following sentences is correct?
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Match the rules of subject-verb agreement with their explanations:
Match the rules of subject-verb agreement with their explanations:
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Match the sentences with their proper verb forms:
Match the sentences with their proper verb forms:
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The singular verb form is used for collective nouns regardless of context.
The singular verb form is used for collective nouns regardless of context.
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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?
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Inverted subjects must always agree with the verb.
Inverted subjects must always agree with the verb.
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What is the verb form when two infinitives are separated by 'and'?
What is the verb form when two infinitives are separated by 'and'?
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There ______ many opportunities for learning.
There ______ many opportunities for learning.
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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.
