Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement and Complex Sentences

What does the subject of a sentence indicate?

• The tense of the sentence

• The number of actions in the sentence

• Who or what the sentence is about

• The action performed in the sentence

If a noun is singular and does not end with 's', how does the verb typically end?

• With 'ed'

• With 'ing'

• With 's'

• Without 's'

What is the correct verb form for a singular subject in the sentence: 'The athlete ___ constantly'?

• trained

• training

• trains

• train

What is a complex sentence?

• A sentence with one subject

• A sentence with multiple verbs

• A sentence with one independent and at least one dependent clause

• A sentence that is difficult to understand

In a complex sentence, what does a dependent clause begin with?

• A verb

• A subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun

• An adjective

• A preposition

Which clause can stand alone as a complete sentence?

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

• Subordinating clause

• Relative clause

How should the verb agree in a complex sentence where the dependent clause interrupts the subject and verb?

• It should agree with the nearest noun

• It should not agree with any subject

• It should agree with the subject before the interrupting clause

• It should change to plural form

Identify the error in the sentence: 'Hope for a better life although it has risks draw many people to California.'

• The subject should be plural

• No error

• The verb should be singular

• The verb should be plural

One of today’s most popular and well-known pop ​ (a)  

• stars is Katy Perry.
• stars are Katy Perry
• stars do include Katy Perry.
• stars were Katy Perry.

Answer explanation

You may think the subject of this sentence is stars; however, this is a trick question. The subject is actually the pronoun one. The correct verb to agree with one is is. Ignore the prepositional phrase of today’s most popular and well-known pop stars.

The movie, including all the previews, ​ (a)   about two hours to watch.

• takes
• take