Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Neither the manager nor the two salespeople (a. was, b. were) prepared for the number of customers.

• a. was

• b. were

Answer explanation

The correct verb is 'were' because the subject 'the manager nor the two salespeople' is plural due to 'two salespeople'. In such constructions, the verb agrees with the nearest subject, which is plural.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Each of the cyclists (a. was, b. were) beginning to feel the effects of the long trip.

• a. was

• b. were

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was' because 'each' is a singular subject. Therefore, the verb must also be singular to agree with the subject, making 'was' the appropriate verb to complete the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Neither of the sets of dumbbells (a. was, b. were) easy to lift.

• a. was

• b. were

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was' because 'neither' is a singular subject. Therefore, the sentence should read: 'Neither of the sets of dumbbells was easy to lift.' This maintains subject-verb agreement.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Both Mrs. LaRoche and the two firefighters (a. is, b. are) having difficulty getting the cat out of the tree.

• a. is

• b. are

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'b. are' because the subject 'Both Mrs. LaRoche and the two firefighters' is plural. When a compound subject is joined by 'and', it takes a plural verb.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Either the table or the chairs (a. is, b. are) arriving today.

• a. is

• b. are

Answer explanation

The correct verb is 'are' because the subject 'the chairs' is plural. In constructions with 'either...or', the verb agrees with the nearest subject, which is 'chairs' in this case.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Mrs. Gardner, along with her students, (a. visits, b. visit) the museum once a semester.

• a. visits

• b. visit

Answer explanation

The correct verb is 'visits' because the subject 'Mrs. Gardner' is singular. The phrase 'along with her students' does not change the number of the subject, so we use the singular form.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Where (a. is, b. are) the box of nails that came with the kit?

• a. is

• b. are

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'is' because 'box' is a singular noun. The sentence refers to one box of nails, so we use the singular verb form 'is' instead of the plural 'are'.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Most of the pizzas (a. was, b. were) sold.

• a. was

• b. were

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'were' because 'pizzas' is a plural noun. In English, plural subjects take the verb 'were' for past tense, while 'was' is used for singular subjects.

Tags

CCSS.L.2.1D

CCSS.L.3.1E

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: “Birches” (a. is, b. are) a poem by Robert Frost.

• a. is

• b. are

Answer explanation

The correct verb is 'is' because 'Birches' refers to a single work, a poem by Robert Frost. In this context, we treat the title as a singular entity.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: There (a. is, b. are) the answers for you to check.

• a. is

• b. are

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'b. are' because 'answers' is plural. The verb must agree in number with the subject, so 'are' is used for plural nouns.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F