Subject Verb Agreement Aptitude Questions

Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide with Aptitude Questions

Subject-verb agreement, the cornerstone of grammatical correctness, often trips up even seasoned writers. Understanding this fundamental concept is crucial not only for clear and effective communication but also for excelling in aptitude tests, where grammatical accuracy plays a significant role. This comprehensive guide delves into the nuances of subject-verb agreement, providing clear explanations, practice questions, and strategies for mastering this essential skill. We'll explore various scenarios, including those that frequently cause confusion, equipping you with the tools to confidently tackle any subject-verb agreement challenge.

Understanding the Basics: Subject-Verb Harmony

At its core, subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. This seems straightforward, but numerous complexities arise depending on the structure of the sentence.

For example:

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

Notice how the verb changes from "barks" (singular) to "bark" (plural) to match the number of the subject.

Common Challenges and Their Solutions

While the basic principle is simple, several sentence structures can make subject-verb agreement tricky. Let's explore some common challenges:

1. Intervening Phrases: Phrases placed between the subject and the verb don't affect the agreement. The verb should still agree with the subject.

• Incorrect: The box of chocolates are delicious.

• Correct: The box of chocolates is delicious. (The subject is "box," which is singular.)

• Incorrect: The students, along with their teacher, are going on a field trip.

• Correct: The students, along with their teacher, is going on a field trip. (The subject is "students", which is plural). However, in informal settings, it might sound better using the plural form "are".

2. Compound Subjects: When two or more subjects are joined by "and," they generally take a plural verb.

• Correct: The cat and the dog play together.

However, if the compound subject refers to a single unit or concept, a singular verb is used.

• Correct: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.

3. Subjects Joined by "or" or "nor": The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

• Correct: Neither the students nor the teacher knows the answer.
• Correct: Either the teacher or the students know the answer.

4. Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group) can be singular or plural depending on whether they refer to the group as a single unit or to the individual members.

• Singular: The team is playing well. (The team is acting as one unit.)
• Plural: The team are arguing amongst themselves. (The focus is on the individual members of the team.)

5. Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, nobody, each, either, neither) are usually singular.

• Correct: Everyone is welcome.
• Correct: Neither of the options is correct.

6. Subjects with "each," "every," or "many a": These expressions always take a singular verb, even when followed by a plural noun.

• Correct: Every student needs to pass the exam.
• Correct: Many a time, she has wished for a better outcome.

7. Inverted Sentences: In sentences where the verb comes before the subject (often in questions or sentences beginning with "there"), carefully identify the subject to ensure correct agreement.

• Correct: There are many reasons to study hard. (Subject: reasons)
• Correct: Is there anybody home? (Subject: anybody)

8. Fractional Expressions: The verb agrees with the noun following the preposition "of."

• Correct: Two-thirds of the students are present.
• Correct: One-third of the pie is left.

9. Titles and Names: Titles of works (books, movies, etc.), even if plural in form, take a singular verb.

• Correct: "The Grapes of Wrath" is a classic novel.

10. Amounts and Units: When referring to amounts or units of measurement, the verb usually agrees with the noun following "of."

• Correct: 10 dollars is not enough.
• Correct: Ten pounds of sugar was added to the cake. (The singular 'sugar' is what matters here)

Aptitude Test Strategies and Practice Questions

Aptitude tests often incorporate subject-verb agreement questions to assess your grammatical understanding and attention to detail. Here are some strategies to approach these questions effectively:

1. Identify the Subject: First, pinpoint the subject of the sentence. Ignore intervening phrases and focus on the main noun or pronoun performing the action.

2. Determine the Number: Is the subject singular or plural? Pay close attention to collective nouns, compound subjects, and indefinite pronouns.

3. Select the Correct Verb: Choose the verb form that agrees in number with the subject.

4. Read the Entire Sentence: Once you've made your selection, reread the entire sentence to ensure the verb fits smoothly and logically within the context.

Now, let's test your understanding with some practice questions:

Question 1: The flock of birds _______ over the field. a) fly b) flies

Question 2: Neither the cat nor the dogs _______ sleeping. a) is b) are

Question 3: Each of the participants _______ to give a presentation. a) is prepared b) are prepared

Question 4: The news about the economic downturn _______ depressing. a) is b) are

Question 5: My family _______ going on vacation next month. a) is b) are

Question 6: Many a time, the child _______ wandered off. a) has b) have

Question 7: The team of doctors _______ agreed on the diagnosis. a) have b) has

Question 8: Two-thirds of the population _______ in rural areas. a) live b) lives

Question 9: The box of crayons _______ missing. a) is b) are

Question 10: Neither the professor nor his students _______ able to solve the equation. a) is b) are

Answers:

1. b) flies
2. a) is
3. a) is prepared
4. a) is
5. a) is
6. a) has
7. b) has
8. a) live
9. a) is
10. a) is

Advanced Scenarios and Exceptions

While the rules above cover most scenarios, some exceptions and more complex cases exist:

• Nouns with Plural Forms but Singular Meanings: Some nouns ending in "-s" are actually singular (e.g., news, measles, physics). These take singular verbs.

• Inverted Subject-Verb Order: Remember to carefully identify the subject, even when the sentence structure inverts the typical subject-verb order.

• Collective Nouns with Modifiers: The choice between singular or plural can depend on the modifying phrase used with a collective noun. For example, "The committee is meeting" vs "The committee are divided in their opinion"

• Subjunctive Mood: This verb mood expresses a wish, a suggestion, or a hypothetical situation, and might use unusual verb conjugations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What's the difference between a singular and plural verb?

A: A singular verb agrees with a singular subject (e.g., he runs, she sings), while a plural verb agrees with a plural subject (e.g., they run, they sing).

Q: How do I handle compound subjects joined by "and"?

A: Usually, they take a plural verb. However, if the compound subject refers to a single unit or concept, use a singular verb.

Q: What happens when the subject is a collective noun?

A: The verb's number depends on whether you're focusing on the group as a single unit or its individual members.

Q: What about indefinite pronouns?

A: Most indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, nobody) take singular verbs.

Conclusion: Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement for Success

Subject-verb agreement, while seemingly basic, presents several potential pitfalls. By understanding the rules, mastering the strategies, and practicing regularly, you can confidently navigate these challenges. This skill is not just essential for grammatical accuracy but also for demonstrating strong analytical and problem-solving skills—qualities highly valued in aptitude tests and beyond. Consistent practice and attention to detail will transform this potential stumbling block into a confident strength. Remember to always carefully identify the subject and ensure the verb aligns perfectly, creating sentences that are both grammatically correct and crystal clear.