subject and verb agreement quick check

Answer 1

Sure! Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must agree with its verb in number (singular or plural). Here’s a quick check guide:

1. Singular subject with singular verb:

   • Example: The dog barks.

2. Plural subject with plural verb:

   • Example: The dogs bark.

Quick Tips:

• Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g. anyone, everyone) while others are plural (e.g. few, many).

  • Example: Everyone is here. / Many are here.

• Collective Nouns: Treat collective nouns (e.g., team, group) as singular when acting as a single unit and plural when individuals are emphasized.

  • Example: The team wins the game. (singular) / The team are arguing among themselves. (plural)

• Compound Subjects: Use a plural verb when two subjects are joined by 'and'.

  • Example: The cat and dog fight.

• When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor': The verb agrees with the subject closer to it.

  • Example: Either the cat or the dogs are outside. / Neither the dogs nor the cat is outside.

Quick Practice:

1. The group of students _____ (is/are) going on a field trip.
2. Each of the cars _____ (need/needs) to be cleaned.
3. Neither the manager nor the employees _____ (was/were) present.
4. A pair of shoes _____ (is/are) on sale.

Answers:

1. is
2. needs
3. were
4. is

Feel free to provide more examples if you'd like additional practice or clarification!