Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz

Each of the players ____ a trophy.

• receive

• are receiving

• have received

• receives

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'receives' because it agrees with the singular subject 'each' in the sentence. 'Each of the players' is treated as a singular entity, requiring the singular verb form.

Neither the teachers nor the principal ____ in the building at the moment.

• are

• were

• have been

• is

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'is' because the subject 'neither the teachers nor the principal' is treated as singular. Therefore, the singular verb 'is' correctly matches the subject in this context.

Either the cat or the dogs ____ outside.

• is

• was

• has been

• are

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'are' because the subject 'Either the cat or the dogs' is plural due to 'dogs'. In this context, 'are' agrees with the plural noun, making it the appropriate verb form.

Either the dogs or the cat ____ digging in the garden.

• are

• were

• have been

• is

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'is' because the subject 'Either the dogs or the cat' is singular when using 'either/or'. Thus, the verb must also be singular, making 'is' the appropriate form.

The team ____ playing its best this season.

• are

• were

• have been

• is

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'is' because 'team' is a collective noun treated as singular in American English. Therefore, the sentence should read: 'The team is playing its best this season.'

Every dog and cat ____ a tag for identification.

• have

• were

• had

• has

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'has' because 'every' indicates a singular subject. Therefore, the sentence should read: 'Every dog and cat has a tag for identification.' The other options do not agree with the singular subject.

A number of students ____ late to class regularly.

• is

• was

• has been

• are

Answer explanation

The subject 'a number of students' is plural, so the correct verb form is 'are'. 'Is', 'was', and 'has been' do not agree with the plural subject.

The number of students in the auditorium ____ 300.

• are

• were

• have been

• is

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'is' because 'the number' is a singular subject. Therefore, it requires a singular verb form, making 'is' the appropriate option to complete the sentence.

Neither of the answers ____ correct.

• are

• were

• have been

• is

Answer explanation

The phrase 'Neither of the answers' is singular, so it requires the singular verb 'is'. The other options ('are', 'were', 'have been') are plural or past tense, making 'is' the correct choice.

Each of the books ____ read by at least one student last year.

• were

• is

• have been

• was

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was' because 'each' is a singular subject, requiring a singular verb. Therefore, the sentence should read: 'Each of the books was read by at least one student last year.'