Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of the English language in which the subject and the verb of a sentence must agree in number. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. Failing to maintain this agreement can significantly affect the clarity and coherence of your written work. Therefore, it is essential to understand the rules and practice them to enhance your writing skills. Here are some subject-verb agreement questions for practice that can help you become proficient in this aspect of writing.
Question 1: Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
"Mary and her sister _____ going to the park."
a) is
b) are
c) were
d) have been
Answer: b) are
Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "Mary and her sister," which is plural. Therefore, "are" is the correct verb to use.
Question 2: Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
"Each of the students _____ a pen and a notebook."
a) have
b) has
c) had
d) were
Answer: b) has
Explanation: "Each" is a singular subject, and the verb should match. Therefore, "has" is the correct verb to use.
Question 3: Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
"The group of friends _____ excited about the concert."
a) is
b) are
c) were
d) have
Answer: a) is
Explanation: "Group" is a singular noun, and therefore, requires a singular verb. Hence, "is" is the correct option.
Question 4: Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
"Neither the teacher nor the students _____ happy with the results."
a) is
b) are
c) have
d) will
Answer: a) is
Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is "neither the teacher nor the students," which is singular. Therefore, "is" is the correct verb to use.
Question 5: Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
"Many of the books in the library _____ on the shelves."
a) is
b) are
c) were
d) had been
Answer: b) are
Explanation: "Many" is a plural word, and accordingly, the verb should be plural. Therefore, "are" is the correct verb to use.
Practice makes perfect. By practicing subject-verb agreement questions, you can improve your writing skills and prevent grammatical errors that can negatively affect your work. Always remember to identify the subject of the sentence and ensure that the verb matches it in number. The more you practice, the easier it will become, and the more natural your writing will feel.