Subject Verb Agreement English Quiz Presentation in a Blue Yellow and Red Illustrative Style

The Basics of Subject Verb Agreement

Subject Verb Agreement:

Today you will review the concept of subject verb agreement.

This online review will be in three parts.

Write your answers on your whiteboard or piece of paper and check your answer at the end of each part.

We will discuss the correct answers and you can then take note of your answers.

PART 1: Subject Verb Agreement

As we have learned in class, the subject and verb of a sentence must agree. Singular subjects need singular verbs. If you use a plural subject, you need to use a plural verb. Let's review this concept by answering the following examples.

QUESTION #1:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

My older sister _______ a large collection of vintage postage stamps.

has

have

QUESTION #2:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

Vintage postage stamps _______ interesting documents of how people lived in the past.

is

are

QUESTION #3:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

Stamp collecting _______ a rare hobby nowadays.

is

are

LET'S CHECK OUR ANSWERS!

1. has

The singular subject "sister" is paired with the singular verb "has."

2. are

The plural subject "stamps" takes the plural verb "are."

3. is

"Stamp collecting" is taken as singular; therefore, "is" is the correct verb.

PART 2: SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT AND PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

At times, one may make the mistake of making the verb "agree" with words that are not the subject. Be mindful to disregard any prepositional phrase that comes after the subject. The next few examples focus on cases like this Supply the correct verb that correctly completes the sentence.

QUESTION #4:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

Mammals that live in the ocean _______ dolphins, whales, and sea otters.

includes

include

QUESTION #5:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

The number of birds in the Amazon rainforest _______ to be almost 4000.

is estimated

are estimated

QUESTION #6:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

The ecosystem of savannahs _______ many threats caused by human activity.

face

faces

LET'S CHECK OUR ANSWERS!

4. include

Disregard the phrase "that live in the ocean" so that you are left with the plural subject "mammals."

5. is estimated

In this example, the subject is the word singular "number," which would make the corresponding verb singular as well.

6. faces

The word "ecosystem" (and not "savannahs") is singular, which would make the correct verb "faces."

PART 3: SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT AND LINKING VERBS

When you have a sentence with linking verbs, the verb should always agree with the subject--not the predicate nominative, which is a word or group of words that completes a linking verb and renames the subject.

For example, in the sentence "Jane's grades are a source of disappointment," the verb "are" agrees with the plural "grades," and not the predicate nominative, "source of disappointment."

Let's test your understanding of this concept. In the next four examples, supply the appropriate verb that correctly completes the sentence.

QUESTION #7:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

The total cost of the party _______ hundreds of dollars more than the original budget.

was

were

QUESTION #8:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

The laughter and noise of the guests _______ a testament to the success of the party.

was

were

QUESTION #9:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

The joy of my mom's life _______ her grandchildren, who were there at the party.

is

are

QUESTION #10:

Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

The yellow roses in the vase _______ a gift to my mom.

is

are

LET'S CHECK OUR ANSWERS!

7. was

In this example, the subject "cost" takes the verb "was."

8. were

The verb "were" agrees with the subject "the laughter and noise of the guests" --not the predicate nominative "testament."

9. is

The subject "joy" agrees with the singular verb "is."

10. are

The plural subject "roses" takes the verb "are."

You're done reviewing the basics of Subject Verb Agreement!

Remember that:

Singular subjects are paired with singular verbs, and plural subjects are paired with plural verbs.

Prepositional phrases can make things seem tricky; it is good practice to pay no mind to any prepositional phrases that follow the subject.

For sentences with linking verbs, the verb should always agree with the subject, and not the predicate nominative.