Basic Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement Part 1

​

Basic Rule

•  A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines).

• A plural (they, Markus and Mya, cars) subject takes a plural verb (are, go, shine).

Examples

Singular​

• She is ready to go.

• Bill goes to the movies a lot.

• The car shines in the sun.

Plural​

• They are ready to go.

• Markus and Mya go to the movies a lot.

• The cars shine in the sun.

Multiple Choice

Pliers (is, are) needed for the job; scissors (is, are) not enough.

• is / is

• are / are

• is / are

• are / is

Multiple Choice

The decorator’s advice (sound, sounds) logical: antique furniture (is, are) more appropriate for that house.

• sound / is

• sound / are

• sounds / is

• sounds / are

Multiple Choice

My luggage ____ gifts for my cousins.

• contain

• contains

Multiple Choice

This tree______a home for birds and squirrels.

• provides

• provide

Multiple Choice

Most liquid fuel (comes, come) from oil.

• comes

• come

Multiple Choice

The girls ______ basketball after school.

• play

• plays

Multiple Choice

As long as 2,000 years ago, coal (was, were) used as fuel.

• was

• were

Multiple Choice

The student's progress ______ slowed by the weather.

• was

• were

Multiple Choice

Some people still (heats, heat) their homes with wood.

• heats

• heat

Multiple Choice

The boys ______ math is easy.

• thinks

• think

Multiple Choice

These early hunters (was, were) also using wood fires to cook meat.

• was

• were

Multiple Choice

Derek ______ it is bad to litter.

• believe

• believes

Multiple Choice

They (was, were) burning wood thousands of years ago.

• was

• were

Multiple Choice

Band members ______ raising money for new uniforms.

• is

• are

Multiple Choice

She ______ her friends every Friday for dinner.

• meets

• meet

Multiple Choice

The pecan, the almond, and the chashew ______ my favorite nuts.

• is

• are

Multiple Choice

We ______ the clouds in the distance.

• sees

• see