Subject-Verb Agreement

Front

What is subject-verb agreement?

Back

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its verb.

Front

When do you use a singular verb?

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A singular verb is used when the subject is singular, meaning it refers to one person, place, thing, or idea.

Front

When do you use a plural verb?

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A plural verb is used when the subject is plural, meaning it refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea.

Front

What is the correct verb form for 'Both of us __________ the banjo'?

Back

The correct verb form is 'play' because 'both of us' is a plural subject.

Front

What is the correct verb form for 'When you inhale, the diaphragm _______ out'?

Back

The correct verb form is 'flattens' because 'the diaphragm' is a singular subject.

Front

What is the correct form of 'He ______ know how to fish'?

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The correct form is 'doesn't' because 'he' is a singular subject.

Front

What is the correct verb form for 'The two speakers ___________ a nonprofit organization'?

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The correct verb form is 'run' because 'the two speakers' is a plural subject.

Front

What is the correct verb form for 'Neither my boss nor his friends (is, are) coming to the picnic'?

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The correct verb form is 'are' because the subject is plural ('friends').

Front

What is a compound subject?

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A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction that share the same verb.

Front

How does a collective noun affect subject-verb agreement?

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A collective noun can be singular or plural depending on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individuals.