Subject-Verb Agreement practice questions

Subject-Verb Agreement questions

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1. 1Subject-verb agreementFoundation

   The collection of early maps _____ stored in a climate-controlled room. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?The collection of early maps _____ stored in a climate-controlled room. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Awerewere
   • Bisis
   • Chavehave
   • Dareare
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   Answer: isis

   The subject is "collection," which is singular. The phrase "of early maps" modifies collection and does not change the verb to plural.The subject is "collection," which is singular. The phrase "of early maps" modifies collection and does not change the verb to plural.

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2. 2Subject-verb agreementStandard

   Neither the lamps nor the ceiling fan _____ working after the storm. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?Neither the lamps nor the ceiling fan _____ working after the storm. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Awaswas
   • Bhave beenhave been
   • Careare
   • Dwerewere
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   Answer: waswas

   With "neither...nor," the verb generally agrees with the nearer subject. "Ceiling fan" is singular, so "was" is correct in this past-time sentence.With "neither...nor," the verb generally agrees with the nearer subject. "Ceiling fan" is singular, so "was" is correct in this past-time sentence.

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3. 3Subject-verb agreementStandard

   Each of the three proposals _____ a different approach to funding the repairs. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?Each of the three proposals _____ a different approach to funding the repairs. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Ahave describedhave described
   • Bdescribesdescribes
   • Cdescribedescribe
   • Dwere describingwere describing
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   Answer: describesdescribes

   The subject is "each," which is singular and takes a singular verb. The phrase "of the three proposals" does not change the number of the subject.The subject is "each," which is singular and takes a singular verb. The phrase "of the three proposals" does not change the number of the subject.

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4. 4Subject-verb agreementStandard

   There _____ a bench and two lamps along the far wall of the reading room. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?There _____ a bench and two lamps along the far wall of the reading room. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Aisis
   • Bwaswas
   • Careare
   • Dhas beenhas been
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   Answer: areare

   In a sentence beginning with "there", the verb agrees with what follows it. The compound subject "a bench and two lamps" is plural, so the plural verb is correct.In a sentence beginning with "there", the verb agrees with what follows it. The compound subject "a bench and two lamps" is plural, so the plural verb is correct.

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5. 5Subject-verb agreementStandard

   A row of tall poplars _____ the northern edge of the field. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?A row of tall poplars _____ the northern edge of the field. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Awere markingwere marking
   • Bmarkmark
   • Chave markedhave marked
   • Dmarksmarks
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   Answer: marksmarks

   The subject is "row", which is singular; "of tall poplars" is a modifier and cannot change the verb, even though "poplars" sits closest to it.The subject is "row", which is singular; "of tall poplars" is a modifier and cannot change the verb, even though "poplars" sits closest to it.

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6. 6Subject-verb agreementStandard

   Each of the four proposals _____ a different timetable for the work. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?Each of the four proposals _____ a different timetable for the work. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Aset outset out
   • Bsets outsets out
   • Cwere setting outwere setting out
   • Dhave set outhave set out
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   Answer: sets outsets out

   "Each" is singular and takes a singular verb; "of the four proposals" is a modifier that cannot change it."Each" is singular and takes a singular verb; "of the four proposals" is a modifier that cannot change it.

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7. 7Subject-verb agreementStandard

   Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Neither the surveyor's notes nor the original plan ______ the position of the boundary wall.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Neither the surveyor's notes nor the original plan ______ the position of the boundary wall.

   • Ashowsshows
   • Bshowshow
   • Chave shownhave shown
   • Dwere showingwere showing
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   Answer: showsshows

   With "neither ... nor" the verb agrees with the subject closer to it, and that subject is "the original plan", which is singular. Reversing the two nouns would make "show" correct, which is a good way to check.With "neither ... nor" the verb agrees with the subject closer to it, and that subject is "the original plan", which is singular. Reversing the two nouns would make "show" correct, which is a good way to check.

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8. 8Subject-verb agreementStandard

   Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The collection of letters, together with a set of photographs, ______ held in the county archive.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The collection of letters, together with a set of photographs, ______ held in the county archive.

   • Aareare
   • Bhave beenhave been
   • Cisis
   • Dwerewere
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   Answer: isis

   The subject is "the collection", which is singular. "Of letters" and "together with a set of photographs" are both modifiers, and a phrase beginning "together with" adds nothing to the subject grammatically, however plural it sounds.The subject is "the collection", which is singular. "Of letters" and "together with a set of photographs" are both modifiers, and a phrase beginning "together with" adds nothing to the subject grammatically, however plural it sounds.

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9. 9Subject-verb agreementStandard

   Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Each of the twelve villages ______ its own water supply.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Each of the twelve villages ______ its own water supply.

   • Ahavehave
   • Bwere havingwere having
   • Chashas
   • Dareare
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   Answer: hashas

   "Each" is the subject and is always singular, however many things follow it. "Of the twelve villages" is a modifier, and the singular "its" later in the sentence is a second signal pointing the same way."Each" is the subject and is always singular, however many things follow it. "Of the twelve villages" is a modifier, and the singular "its" later in the sentence is a second signal pointing the same way.

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10. 10Subject-verb agreementStandard

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?A crate of oranges ______ delivered to the shop every Tuesday.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A crate of oranges ______ delivered to the shop every Tuesday.

    • Aisis
    • Bareare
    • Cwerewere
    • Dhave beenhave been
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    Answer: isis

    The subject is "a crate", which is singular; "of oranges" is a modifier and cannot change it. The plural noun sitting right before the verb is what makes the plural forms sound right.The subject is "a crate", which is singular; "of oranges" is a modifier and cannot change it. The plural noun sitting right before the verb is what makes the plural forms sound right.

    How did you do?Got itMissed it
11. 11Subject-verb agreementStandard

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The list of participants, revised twice since January, ______ posted on the noticeboard.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The list of participants, revised twice since January, ______ posted on the noticeboard.

    • Aareare
    • Bisis
    • Cwerewere
    • Dhave beenhave been
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    Answer: isis

    The subject is "the list", singular. "Of participants" and the clause about revision both sit between the subject and the verb without changing it.The subject is "the list", singular. "Of participants" and the clause about revision both sit between the subject and the verb without changing it.

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12. 12Subject-verb agreementStandard

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Either the two curators or the registrar ______ to sign the loan form.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Either the two curators or the registrar ______ to sign the loan form.

    • Ahavehave
    • Bhashas
    • Careare
    • Dwerewere
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    Answer: hashas

    With "either... or" the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it, and that is "the registrar", which is singular. Reversing the two nouns would make "have" correct.With "either... or" the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it, and that is "the registrar", which is singular. Reversing the two nouns would make "have" correct.

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13. 13Subject-verb agreementStandard

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The box of slides, along with the projector, ______ stored in the basement.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The box of slides, along with the projector, ______ stored in the basement.

    • Aareare
    • Bisis
    • Cwerewere
    • Dhave beenhave been
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    Answer: isis

    The subject is "the box", singular. "Of slides" and "along with the projector" are both modifiers, and a phrase beginning "along with" adds nothing to the subject grammatically.The subject is "the box", singular. "Of slides" and "along with the projector" are both modifiers, and a phrase beginning "along with" adds nothing to the subject grammatically.

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14. 14Subject-verb agreementChallenge

    Neither the director nor the two producers _____ willing to comment before the premiere. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?Neither the director nor the two producers _____ willing to comment before the premiere. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

    • Awerewere
    • Bisis
    • Chas beenhas been
    • Dwaswas
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    Answer: werewere

    With "neither ... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "The two producers" is plural and sits closest to the verb, so the plural "were" is correct.With "neither ... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "The two producers" is plural and sits closest to the verb, so the plural "were" is correct.

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15. 15Subject-verb agreementChallenge

    Neither the two curators nor the director _____ seen the newly acquired painting. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?Neither the two curators nor the director _____ seen the newly acquired painting. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

    • Awerewere
    • Bhavehave
    • Careare
    • Dhashas
    Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation

    Answer: hashas

    With "neither ... nor" the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "The director" is singular and sits closest, so the singular "has" is correct — the reverse of the usual case, where the plural is nearer.With "neither ... nor" the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "The director" is singular and sits closest, so the singular "has" is correct — the reverse of the usual case, where the plural is nearer.

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