Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: Practice Guide

1. SUBJECTVERB AGREEMENT

2. Subject and predicates must agree in number • The bookof poems was published in 1998. • The anthologieswerepublished in 1998.

3. Subject and predicates must agree in number • The bookof poems was published in 1998. • The anthologieswerepublished in 1998.

4. Subjects in Unusual Positions: Reorder! Questions: Does this paperneed revising? This paperdoes need revising. Do this doghave fleas? This dog doeshave fleas.

5. Subjects in Unusual Positions: Reorder! Here or there: Here is a book I think you might enjoy. A book is here … Here is a listof rules for a healthy life. A list is here…

6. Subjects in Unusual Positions: Reorder! Inverted sentence: Over the hillsisa green meadow. A green meadowisover the hills. Over the hills is a vast field. A vast fieldis over the hills.

7. Quick Practice • Here (is/are) the books that you requested from Mrs. Brown. • There (was/were) several players cut from the basketball team. • (Do/Does) the animals at the zoo get bored in their cages? • Where (is/are) the money for the field trip? • There (is/are) many different restaurants in the Disney parks. • To the battlefield (march/marches) the soldiers. • Near my house (is/are) the best playgrounds. • Down the river (rushes, rush) the racing canoe. • (Has, Have) the famous architect visited her completed homes?

8. QuickPractice • Here (is/are) the books that you requested from Mrs. Brown. • There (was/were) several players cut from the basketball team. • (Do/Does) the animals at the zoo get bored in their cages? • Where (is /are) the money for the field trip? • There (is /are) many different restaurants in the Disney parks. • To the battlefield (march /marches) the soldiers. • Near my house (is/ are) the best playgrounds. • Down the river (rushes /rush) the racing canoe. • (Has / Have) the famous architect visited her completed homes?

9. More Practice • (Does, do) the inexperienced actors in the play know their lines? • Off through the woods (runs / run) Little Red Riding Hood. • “Off with their heads,” (shouts/shout) the mad queen. • There (is / are) ten eggs still in the refrigerator. • (Is /Are) the students’ parents invited to the reception? • (Does / Do) this restaurant’s fish sandwiches taste fishy? • (Do / Does) Wright’s office building still exist? • (Was / Were) the players ready for the game? • Never before (was/ were) there so many superstars on the field.

10. More Practice • (Does / do) the inexperienced actors in the play know their lines? • Off through the woods (runs / run) Little Red Riding Hood. • “Off with their heads,” (shouts /shout) the mad queen. • There (is / are) ten eggs still in the refrigerator. • (Is /Are) the students’ parents invited to the reception? • (Does / Do) this restaurant’s fish sandwiches taste fishy? • (Do / Does) Wright’s office building still exist? • (Was / Were) the players ready for the game? • Never before (was/ were) there so many superstars on on the field.)

11. More Practice • Do pets (has/ have) personalities? • There (is/ are) many cats and dogs with distinctive traits. • For example, pit bulls (is/ are) an aggressive breed of dog. • From careful observation (come/ comes) new insights into pet behavior. • (Is/ Are) last-borns more rebellious than middle children? • One interesting topic (is/ are) dreams and their meaning. • Dreams (is/ are) the voice of the subconscious.

12. More Practice • Do pets (has/ have) personalities? • There (is/ are) many cats and dogs with distinctive traits. • For example, pit bulls (is/ are) an aggressive breed of dog. • From careful observation (come/ comes) new insights into pet behavior. • (Is/ Are) last-borns more rebellious than middle children? • One interesting topic (is/ are) dreams and their meaning. • Dreams (is/ are) the voice of the subconscious.

13. Skills Check 1.There (is/are) ten cookies left in the box.2.Onto the field (charge/charges) the football players.3. Where (is/are) the papers that I was grading? 4. (Is/Are) the captain’s mom bringing orange slices for half-time? 5.For example, pit bulls (is/ are) an aggressive breed of dog. 6.(Do/Does) your household pets need a lot of attention?7. Up into the tree (slither/slithers) the frightened snake.8. Under the fence (race/races) the frightened rabbits.9. There (is/are) too many questions on this test.10. Here (is/are) the books that Mr. Jones requested.

14. Skills Check 1.There (is/are) ten cookies left in the box.2.Onto the field (charge/charges) the football players.3. Where (is/are) the papers that I was grading? 4. (Is/Are) the captain’s mom bringing orange slices for half-time? 5.For example, pit bulls (is/ are) an aggressive breed of dog. 6.(Do/Does) your household pets need a lot of attention?7. Up into the tree (slither/slithers) the frightened snake.8. Under the fence (race/races) the frightened rabbits.9. There (is/are) too many questions on this test.10. Here (is/are) the books that Mr. Jones requested.

15. Prepositional phrases: If it helps, cross out the prepositional phrase: The box of chocolates is empty. The box of chocolates is empty.

16. Quick Practice • The boys in the band (is, are) all really talented. • The bowl of juicy peaches (was,were) very appealing. • The girls on the bench (was, were) very anxious to get in the game. • The kids at the playground always (run, runs) wild. • My relatives from California (arrive, arrives) today. • The box of Oreo cookies (was, were) devoured by me and my friends.

17. Quick Practice • The boys in the band (is, are) all really talented. • The bowl of juicy peaches (was, were) very appealing. • The girls on the bench (was, were) very anxious to get in the game. • The kids at the playground always (run, runs) wild. • My relatives from California (arrive, arrives) today. • The box of Oreo cookies (was, were) devoured by me and my friends.

18. More Practice • Studies of animal behavior (suggest/ suggests) differences in temperament. • The students in the honors class (is / are) doing a new project. • Movies full of intrigue and adventure (appeals / appeal) to Henry. • Meals on the road (is /are) a problem. • Maintenance of these older buildings (is / are) very difficult. • The list of names of donors (is /are) being read now. • The houses at the shore (need/ needs) to withstand hurricanes.

19. More Practice • Studies of animal behavior (suggest/ suggests) differences in temperament. • The students in the honors class (is / are) doing a new project. • Movies full of intrigue and adventure (appeals / appeal) to Henry. • Meals on the road (is /are) a problem. • Maintenance of these older buildings (is / are) very difficult. • The list of names of donors (is /are) being read now. • The houses at the shore (need / needs) to withstand hurricanes.

20. More Practice • A box of pens (sit, sits) on my desk for students to use. • The principal of Northley (is, are) a good leader. • The houses with the blue shutters (is, are) easily recognized. • That firm of lawyers (has, have) been around for a long time. • The piece of the puzzle (is, are) lost.

21. More Practice • A box of pens (sit, sits) on my desk for students to use. • The principal of Northley (is, are) a good leader. • The houses with the blue shutters (is, are) easily recognized. • That firm of lawyers (has, have) been around for a long time. • The piece of the puzzle (is, are) lost.

22. Skills Check • Only animals in the park (is / are) protected from hunters. • The pack of wolves (was / were) in search of prey. • The members of the club (meet / meets) every Monday. • Theft in the locker room (is /are) all too common. • The main character of Poe’s stories (is / are) often a bit insane. • The moms at the playground (was /were) drinking coffee and chatting. • The leader of the aliens (like, likes) humans on his dinner menu.

23. Skills Check • Only animals in the park (is / are) protected from hunters. • The pack of wolves (was / were) in search of prey. • The members of the club (meet / meets) every Monday. • Theft in the locker room (is /are) all too common. • The main character of Poe’s stories (is / are) often a bit insane. • The moms at the playground (was /were) drinking coffee and chatting. • The leader of the aliens (like, likes) humans on his dinner menu.

24. Mixed Skills Check • My friends from camp (is/ are) visiting this weekend. • The students in Mrs. Wilson’s room (work/ works) hard. • There (is/ are) seven students absent today. • Where (do/ does) the teachers go for lunch? • Here (is/ are) the books that I borrowed. • The children on Brown Street (is/ are) afraid of the last house on the left. • The pups in the fox’s den (was/ were) very hungry. • Which students from Spanish Club (is/ are) going to Costa Rica?

25. Mixed Skills Check • My friends from camp (is/ are) visiting this weekend. • The students in Mrs. Wilson’s room (work/ works) hard. • There (is/ are) seven students absent today. • Where (do/ does) the teachers go for lunch? • Here (is/ are) the books that I borrowed. • The children on Brown Street (is/ are) afraid of the last house on the left. • The pups in the fox’s den (was/ were) very hungry. • Which students from Spanish Club (is/ are) going to Costa Rica?

26. Collective Nouns -Names a group of people or things: group, team, family, class, herd

27. Act as a group, use singular verb The majorityis satisfied with the election results. The familyisgoing on a trip. The herdwas looking for water when the lions came.

28. Act independently, use plural verb • The majorityof the classare completing their work today. • The familyare travelling to the reunion from five different states. • The teamwere putting on their cleats for the game.

29. Challenging Practice • The family (is / are) having a reunion this summer. • The soccer team (has / have) won the championship. • The public also (view /views) politicians as untrustworthy. • The class always (spend /spends) time reviewing for a test the day before. • After the hunt, the pack (is / are) sleepy and content. • The majority (is/ are) casting their votes. • A group of photos (show / shows) a loving couple. • His boy scout troop (travel / travels) to Washington, D.C., every summer.

30. Challenging Practice • The family (is / are) having a reunion this summer. • The soccer team (has / have) won the championship. • The public also (view /views) politicians as untrustworthy. • The class always (spend /spends) time reviewing for a test the day before. • After the hunt, the pack (is / are) sleepy and content. • The majority (is/ are) casting their votes. • A group of photos (show / shows) a loving couple. • His boy scout troop (travel / travels) to Washington, D.C., every summer.

31. Mixed Skills Check • The family (is / are) vacationing in Europe this summer. • The flock of geese (has/have) migrated south. • There (is/are) three donuts left in the carton. • The soccer team (practice/ practices) every day. • A troop of clowns (was/ were) scaring the town’s children. • Where (is/are) the Christmas presents hidden? • To the battlefield (march/marches) the soldiers. • To the battlefield (march/marches) the troop.

32. Mixed Skills Check • The family (is / are) vacationing in Europe this summer. • The flock of geese (has/have) migrated south. • There (is/are) three donuts left in the carton. • The soccer team (practice/ practices) every day. • A troop of clowns (was/ were) scaring the town’s children. • Where (is/are) the Christmas presents hidden? • To the battlefield (march/marches) the soldiers. • To the battlefield (march/marches) the troop.

33. Titles are Singular Goosebumps isa collection of chilling stories. Speak isan excellent book. The Ugliesis a very popular book this year.

34. Singular nouns that end in s • Mathematics isa difficult subject for me. • The news isalways depressing. • Mumps isa common childhood disease. • Molassessis an ingredient in baked beans. • Four tablespoons iswhat the recipe calls for.

35. Practice • Molasses (is /are) an ingredient in baked beans. • Twice-Told Tales (was / were) written by Hawthorne. • The Gleaners (is / are) a peaceful painting by Jean-Francoise Millet. • Measles (is / are) a painful illness. • In Country (describe / describes) a girl’s effort to learn more about her father, who was killed in Vietnam. • Mathematics (was /were) always my worst subject. • Three Serviceman by Frederick Hart (stand / stands) near the wall.

36. Practice • Molasses (is /are) an ingredient in baked beans. • Twice-Told Tales (was / were) written by Hawthorne. • The Gleaners (is / are) a peaceful painting by Jean-Francoise Millet. • Measles (is / are) a painful illness. • In Country (describe / describes) a girl’s effort to learn more about her father, who was killed in Vietnam. • Mathematics (was /were) always my worst subject. • Three Serviceman by Frederick Hart (stand / stands) near the wall.

37. Time and Amounts Weights, measures, numbers and time are usually singular: Ten dollarsisthe price of a ticket. Two daysis the minimum time needed. Three cups of flour is needed to make this cake.

38. Fractions can be plural is the subject is whole Only three-fourths of the students are healthy. Half of the cakes wereeaten at the party. Halfof the cake was eaten at the party.

39. Practice • Twelve dollars (is / are) enough for two dinners. • Two tons (equals / equal) four thousand pounds. • Four tablespoons of butter (is / are) what the recipe calls for. • Sixty cents (is / are) the price a program. • Only half of the club members (is / are) present. • According to an old saying, half of a loaf (is / are) better than none. • Two-thirds of the ornaments (was /were) broken. • Two-thirds of the cake (was / were) devoured by the time the party ended.

40. Practice • Twelve dollars (is / are) enough for two dinners. • Two tons (equals / equal) four thousand pounds. • Four tablespoons of butter (is / are) what the recipe calls for. • Sixty cents (is / are) the price a program. • Only half of the club members (is / are) present. • According to an old saying, half of a loaf (is / are) better than none. • Two-thirds of the ornaments (was /were) broken. • Two-thirds of the cake (was / were) devoured by the time the party ended.

41. More Practice 1. Three days (is / are) how long it takes to read all 58,209 names of soldiers killed or missing in the war. • Two dollars (has / have) always been the maximum fine for children’s books. • Three-eighths of the students (is / are) boys. • Sixteen (was / were) his lucky number. • Only a quarter of the school’s students (study / studies) for midterms. • Only a quarter of the book (was /were) interesting. • Here (is, are) the reports that you requested. • The basket of fresh vegetables (is, are) still on the table. • Into the witch’s castle (soar, soars) the flying monkeys.

42. More Practice 1. Three days (is / are) how long it takes to read all 58,209 names of soldiers killed or missing in the war. • Two dollars (has / have) always been the maximum fine for children’s books. • Three-eighths of the students (is / are) boys. • Sixteen (was / were) his lucky number. • Only a quarter of the school’s students (study / studies) for midterms. • Only a quarter of the book (was /were) interesting. • Here (is, are) the reports that you requested. • The basket of fresh vegetables (is, are) still on the table. • Into the witch’s castle (soar, soars) the flying monkeys.

43. Mixed Skills Check • Pediatrics (is/ are) the branch of medicine dealing with infants and children. • Our class (learn/ learns) the four emotions that newborns experience: excitement, surprise, relaxation, and distress. • Six weeks (is/ are) the age when infants first express joy. • Two-thirds of the daycare group (is/ are) absent today. • Two-thirds of my birthday cake (was/were) eaten by my little brother. • Five minutes (seem/ seems) like a long time until parents arrive. • The public often (seek/ seeks) advice about raising a child. • Raising Happy Kids (is/are) a helpful book to new parents. • There (is/are) many different restaurants in the Disney parks.

44. Mixed Skills Check • Pediatrics (is/ are) the branch of medicine dealing with infants and children. • Our class (learn/ learns) the four emotions that newborns experience: excitement, surprise, relaxation, and distress. • Six weeks (is/ are) the age when infants first express joy. • Two-thirds of the daycare group (is/ are) absent today. • Two-thirds of my birthday cake (was/were) eaten by my little brother. • Five minutes (seem/ seems) a long time until parents arrive. • The public often (seek/ seeks) advice about raising a child. • Raising Happy Kids (is/ are) a helpful book to new parents. • There (is/are) many different restaurants in the Disney parks.

45. Mixed Skills Check • (Does/ do) the cat have fleas? • Here (is/ are) the new ornaments for the tree. • The presents under the bed (is/ are) wrapped and ready for the holiday. • The class of unruly students (was/ were) a challenge for the teacher. • Half of the pie (was/were) eaten before I got home. • Half of the pies at the bakery (was/ were) already sold. • Physics (is/ are) a very challenging subject. • The Three Little Pigs (is/are) a classic tale. • Ten dollars (is/ are) too much to pay for a bad movie. • Down the river (rushes /rush) the racing canoe.

46. Mixed Skills Check • (Does/ do) the cat have fleas? • Here (is/ are) the new ornaments for the tree. • The presents under the bed (is/ are) wrapped and ready for the holiday. • The class of unruly students (was/ were) a challenge for the teacher. • Half of the pie (was/were) eaten before I got home. • Half of the pies at the bakery (was/ were) already sold. • Physics (is/ are) a very challenging subject. • The Three Little Pigs (is/ are) a classic tale. • Ten dollars (is/ are) too much to pay for a bad movie. • Down the river (rushes /rush) the racing canoe.

47. Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects Singular: another everybody nothing anybody everyone one anyone everything somebody anything neither/either someone each no one __________________________________________________ Plural: both few many several __________________________________________________ Both: all any most none some

48. Indefinite pronouns as subjects can be singular, plural and sometimes plural

49. Practice 1. Someone (is/ are) bringing fried chicken to the potluck. 2. Several of my friends (agree/agrees) that basketball is more fun than baseball. 3. Everyone (want/wants) to hold the party in the gym. ne 4. Nobody (know/knows) how the hamster got out of the cage. 5. A few of my classmates (is/are) absent today. • No one in the class (want / wants) to speak up. • Both of the houses (was /were) damaged in the fire. • Everything in my bedroom (was/ were) covered with dust. • Some of the students (was / were) absent. • Some of the pie (was / were) eaten.

50. Practice 1. Someone (is/ are) bringing fried chicken to the potluck. 2. Several of my friends (agree /agrees) that basketball is more fun than baseball. 3. Everyone (want/ wants) to hold the party in the gym. ne 4. Nobody (know/ knows) how the hamster got out of the cage. 5. A few of my classmates (is/ are) absent today. • No one in the class (want/ wants) to speak up. • Both of the houses (was/ were) damaged in the fire. • Everything in my bedroom (was/ were) covered with dust. • Some of the students (was/ were) absent. • Some of the pie (was/ were) eaten.