neslo

Monday, September 20, 2010

subject-verb-agreement

Quiz on Subject-Verb Agreement

Select one answer from the choices provided after each sentence. The word you choose should fit the blank in the sentence. Don't use the HINT buttons unless you really need them.

1. Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator ____ going to have to make a decision.
is
are

You're right! When subjects are connected by or, the subject closer to the verb (which is, in this case, singular) determines the number of the verb.

2. ______ my boss or my sisters in the union going to win this grievance?
Is
Are

You're right! Again, the subject closer to the verb (my boss) determines the number of the verb.

3. Some of the votes __________ to have been miscounted.
seem
seems

You're right! Some is the subject in this sentence; it is plural because the word votes makes it a countable indefinite pronoun.

4. The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring _____ more than just a nuisance.
are
is

You're right! The subject is tornadoes. You were not confused by the words and phrases that came between the subject and its verb.

5. Everyone selected to serve on this jury _____ to be willing to give up a lot of time.
have
has

You're right! Everyone! seems to be a plural word, but it is always singular.

6. Kara Wolters, together with her teammates, _________ a formidable opponent on the basketball court.
presents
present

The subject here is Kara Wolters (singular). The subject is not compounded by phrases such as along with, together with, and as well as.

7. He seems to forget that there __________ things to be done before he can graduate.
are
is

You're right! The subject (things, in this case) comes after the verb in constructions that begin with here or there.

8. There _______ to be some people left in that town after yesterday's flood.
have
has

You're right! The subject is people, which is plural, and that determines the verb (not the word there).

9. Some of the grain __________ to be contaminated.
appear
appears

You're right! Some is the subject of this sentence and, since it is not really countable (you can't count the grain), it is singular.

10. Three-quarters of the students __________ against the tuition hike.
is
are

You're right! Three quarters of the students represents a countable number.

11. Three-quarters of the student body __________ against the tuition hike.
is
are

You're right! Three quarters of the student body represents a lump sum, a singular entity.

12. A high percentage of the population _________ voting for the new school.
is
are

You're right! "Percentage" is a mathematical proportion, expressing here a singular lump sum.

13. A high percentage of the people _________ voting for the new school.
was
were

"Percentage" is a mathematical proportion, but here it reflects a countable, therefore plural, quantity.

Results: 11 Correct -- 2 Wrong -- 0 Skipped

Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz List
Guide to Grammar and Writing