Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of English grammar that is often overlooked. It refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. In other words, the verb should agree with the subject in terms of number and tense. If the subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. In this article, we will discuss some hard subject-verb agreement quiz questions that will test your knowledge of this crucial grammar rule.
Question 1: The group of friends _____ planning to go to the beach this weekend.
a) is
b) are
Answer: a) is
Explanation: The subject in this sentence is “group,” which is singular, so the verb “is” should also be singular.
Question 2: Neither the teacher nor the students _____ happy with the exam results.
a) is
b) are
Answer: a) is
Explanation: The subject in this sentence is “neither,” which is singular, so the verb “is” should also be singular, regardless of the number of the second subject “students.”
Question 3: Ten dollars _____ a reasonable price for a burger and fries.
a) is
b) are
Answer: a) is
Explanation: The subject in this sentence is “ten dollars,” which is singular, so the verb “is” should also be singular.
Question 4: The research findings _____ that exercise can help reduce stress levels.
a) show
b) shows
Answer: b) shows
Explanation: The subject in this sentence is “research findings,” which is singular, so the verb “shows” should also be singular.
Question 5: The committee members, as well as the chairperson, _____ their opinions on the matter.
a) express
b) expresses
Answer: a) express
Explanation: The subject in this sentence is “committee members,” which is plural, so the verb “express” should also be plural, regardless of the singular subject “chairperson.”
Conclusion:
Subject-verb agreement can be tricky, even for experienced writers and editors. However, by practicing with quizzes like these, you can improve your knowledge of this essential grammar rule. Remember to always identify the subject in a sentence and ensure that the verb agrees with it in terms of number and tense. With time and practice, subject-verb agreement will become second nature, and you will write with confidence!