Grammar Subject Verb Agreement Exercises

Mastering the Art of Subject-Verb Agreement: Exercises and Explanations

Subject-verb agreement, the cornerstone of grammatical accuracy, ensures that the verb in a sentence correctly matches its subject in number (singular or plural). This seemingly simple rule can present unexpected challenges, particularly with complex sentence structures or tricky exceptions. This comprehensive guide provides a range of exercises to hone your skills, coupled with detailed explanations to solidify your understanding of subject-verb agreement. Mastering this essential grammar concept will significantly enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

Understanding the Basics of Subject-Verb Agreement

Before diving into the exercises, let's review the fundamental principles of subject-verb agreement. The basic rule is straightforward: a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Example:

• Singular: The dog barks loudly.
• Plural: The dogs bark loudly.

However, numerous situations can complicate this seemingly simple rule. Let's explore some common challenges.

Exercise 1: Simple Subject-Verb Agreement

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence.

1. The cat (sleeps/sleep) on the mat.
2. My friends (are/is) going to the party.
3. The bird (sings/sing) a beautiful song.
4. The flowers (smell/smells) fragrant.
5. He (runs/run) every morning.
6. The books (are/is) on the shelf.
7. She (plays/play) the piano beautifully.
8. The children (laugh/laughs) joyfully.
9. The sun (shines/shine) brightly today.
10. The train (arrives/arrive) at 3 pm.

Answer Key:

1. sleeps
2. are
3. sings
4. smell
5. runs
6. are
7. plays
8. laugh
9. shines
10. arrives

Exercise 2: Dealing with Intervening Phrases

Intervening phrases, placed between the subject and the verb, can sometimes obscure the true subject. Remember, the verb agrees with the subject, not the words within the intervening phrase.

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. The box of chocolates (is/are) on the table.
2. The team, along with their coach, (practices/practice) every day.
3. My sister, as well as her friends, (goes/go) to the concert.
4. The flock of birds (flies/fly) south for the winter.
5. The group of students (is/are) working on a project.
6. The pile of books (is/are) on the floor.
7. The car, including its new tires, (is/are) ready for a road trip.
8. The committee, despite its disagreements, (reaches/reach) a decision.
9. The author, along with his editor, (signs/sign) the books.
10. The basket of apples (is/are) almost empty.

Answer Key:

1. is
2. practices
3. go
4. flies
5. is
6. is
7. is
8. reaches
9. signs
10. is

Exercise 3: Compound Subjects

Compound subjects, consisting of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction, present another layer of complexity. The verb's form depends on the conjunction and the number of subjects.

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. My brother and sister (are/is) coming home for the holidays.
2. Neither the dog nor the cat (wants/want) to go outside.
3. Either the teachers or the principal (is/are) responsible.
4. Both the students and the teacher (were/was) excited about the trip.
5. Not only the students but also their professor (was/were) late.
6. The dog and the birds (chase/chases) the squirrels.
7. Neither the students nor the instructor (know/knows) the answer.
8. Either the cat or the dogs (have/has) made a mess.
9. Both my aunt and uncle (travel/travels) extensively.
10. Neither rain nor snow (stops/stop) the mailman.

Answer Key:

1. are
2. wants
3. is
4. were
5. was
6. chase
7. knows
8. have
9. travel
10. stops

Exercise 4: Subjects Joined by "And"

When subjects are joined by "and," they generally take a plural verb. However, there are exceptions when the subjects refer to a single entity or idea.

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. Peanut butter and jelly (is/are) my favorite sandwich.
2. The singer and songwriter (writes/write) beautiful lyrics.
3. Macaroni and cheese (is/are) a comfort food.
4. My best friend and confidant (is/are) always there for me.
5. Bread and butter (is/are) a simple meal.
6. The hammer and nails (were/was) in the toolbox.
7. The captain and the crew (sail/sails) the ship.
8. Bacon and eggs (is/are) a classic breakfast.
9. The professor and the students (discuss/discusses) the topic.
10. The author and illustrator (create/creates) a compelling story.

Answer Key:

1. is
2. writes
3. is
4. is
5. is
6. were
7. sail
8. are
9. discuss
10. create

Exercise 5: Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns, such as everyone, someone, nobody, anyone, each, either, and neither, are always singular and take singular verbs.

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. Everyone (is/are) invited to the party.
2. Somebody (has/have) left their phone.
3. No one (knows/know) the answer.
4. Each student (receives/receive) a certificate.
5. Either option (is/are) acceptable.
6. Neither of the twins (is/are) going to college.
7. Someone (needs/need) to help with the project.
8. Anyone (can/can't) apply for the job.
9. Each of the houses (needs/need) repainting.
10. Nobody (wants/want) to do the dishes.

Answer Key:

1. is
2. has
3. knows
4. receives
5. is
6. is
7. needs
8. can
9. needs
10. wants

Exercise 6: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns, such as team, family, group, and committee, can be either singular or plural depending on the context. If the group acts as a single unit, use a singular verb; if the members of the group act individually, use a plural verb.

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. The team (is/are) celebrating their victory.
2. My family (is/are) going on vacation.
3. The committee (has/have) reached a decision.
4. The flock (is/are) flying south.
5. The audience (was/were) captivated by the performance.
6. The class (is/are) taking a test.
7. The jury (decides/decide) on the verdict.
8. The crowd (roars/roar) with excitement.
9. The choir (sings/sing) beautifully.
10. The herd (grazes/graze) peacefully in the field.

Answer Key:

1. is
2. is
3. has
4. is
5. was
6. is
7. decides
8. roars
9. sings
10. grazes

Exercise 7: Nouns Ending in "-s" but Singular

Some nouns ending in "-s" are actually singular (e.g., news, measles, physics). These nouns take singular verbs.

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. The news (is/are) good.
2. Measles (is/are) a contagious disease.
3. Physics (is/are) a challenging subject.
4. Economics (is/are) a complex field.
5. Mathematics (is/are) my favorite subject.
6. Politics (is/are) often unpredictable.
7. Ethics (is/are) important in all professions.
8. The statistics (show/shows) a clear trend.
9. Acoustics (is/are) the study of sound.
10. Gymnastics (is/are) a demanding sport.

Answer Key:

1. is
2. is
3. is
4. is
5. is
6. is
7. is
8. show
9. is
10. is

Exercise 8: Units of Measurement

Units of measurement generally take singular verbs, even if they are plural in form.

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. Five dollars (is/are) enough for lunch.
2. Ten years (has/have) passed since then.
3. Two miles (is/are) a long walk.
4. Three hours (is/are) not enough time to finish the project.
5. Ten pounds (is/are) a significant weight loss.
6. Twenty kilometers (is/are) quite a distance.
7. Five gallons of paint (is/are) plenty.
8. Two liters of water (is/are) a good hydration goal.
9. Ten kilograms of rice (is/are) heavy to carry.
10. Three cups of coffee (is/are) too much for me.

Answer Key:

1. is
2. have
3. is
4. is
5. is
6. is
7. is
8. is
9. is
10. is

Exercise 9: Inverted Sentences

In inverted sentences (where the verb comes before the subject), it's crucial to identify the subject correctly to ensure proper subject-verb agreement.

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. There (is/are) many reasons for this.
2. Here (comes/come) the bus.
3. On the shelf (sits/sit) a row of books.
4. Among the trees (lives/live) a family of squirrels.
5. Beyond the horizon (lies/lie) endless possibilities.
6. Down the street (runs/run) a stray dog.
7. There (was/were) several accidents on the highway.
8. Here (is/are) your keys.
9. Under the table (sits/sit) a small cat.
10. Inside the box (were/was) several tools.

Answer Key:

1. are
2. comes
3. sits
4. lives
5. lie
6. runs
7. were
8. are
9. sits
10. were

Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of grammar. While the basic rule is simple, the numerous exceptions and complexities require consistent practice. By working through these exercises and reviewing the explanations, you will significantly improve your understanding and application of this crucial grammatical principle. Remember, consistent practice and attention to detail are key to mastering subject-verb agreement and elevating the quality of your writing. Keep practicing, and you'll soon find yourself effortlessly applying these rules in your own writing.