Subject-Verb Agreement Concepts

This podcast covers the intricacies of subject-verb agreement, focusing on tricky subjects and prepositional phrases. It explains how to correctly identify the subject in complex sentences, especially when prepositional phrases are involved. The podcast also highlights the importance of using singular verbs with singular pronouns and provides tips to avoid common mistakes. Listeners are encouraged to trust their intuition and ignore prepositional phrases when determining the correct subject-verb agreement.

What is the basic rule of subject-verb agreement?

• Plural subjects must have singular verbs.

• Singular subjects must have plural verbs.

• Plural subjects must have plural verbs, and singular subjects must have singular verbs.

• Subjects and verbs can be mixed in number.

How can prepositional phrases affect subject-verb agreement?

• They have no effect on subject-verb agreement.

• They can separate the subject and verb, causing confusion.

• They always make the verb plural.

• They make the subject singular.

In the sentence 'Each of the students have homework to complete,' what is the correct verb form?

• Had

• Having

• Has

• Have

What is the subject in the sentence 'One of the doctors in the operating room with the patients asks that you stay outside'?

• One

• Doctors

• Patients

• Operating room

Why should you avoid simplifying sentences to solve subject-verb agreement issues?

• It is against grammar rules.

• Professors prefer more complex structures.

• It can lead to incorrect subject identification.

• It makes sentences too complex.

Which of the following is always considered singular?

• Few

• Both

• Each

• Many

What should you do when in doubt about subject-verb agreement?

• Consult a dictionary.

• Simplify the sentence.

• Trust your intuition and ignore prepositional phrases.

• Always choose a plural verb.