Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that states that the subject and the verb in a sentence must agree in number. In other words, if the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. For example, in the sentence "The cat chases the mouse," the subject (cat) is singular, so the verb (chases) is also singular. In the sentence "The cats chase the mice," the subject (cats) is plural, so the verb (chase) is also plural. Proper subject-verb agreement helps to ensure that sentences are grammatically correct and make sense.
15 SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. The cat __________ on the windowsill.
a) sits
b) sit
c) sitting
d) sitted
Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is "cat," which is a singular noun. Therefore, we need a singular verb to agree with the subject. The only option that provides a singular verb is "sits."
2. My friends __________ to the party tonight.
a) is going
b) are going
c) go
d) goes
Explanation: This is a simple present tense sentence with a plural subject "friends". According to the subject-verb agreement rule, a plural subject requires a plural verb. Therefore, we need the plural present tense verb form of "go," which is "are going."
3. The students __________ their exams next week.
a) takes
b) take
c) taking
d) took
Explanation: This is a simple present tense sentence with a plural subject "students". According to the subject-verb agreement rule, a plural subject requires a plural verb. Therefore, we need the plural present tense verb form of "take," which is "take."
4. The orchestra __________ a beautiful symphony.
a) play
b) plays
c) played
d) playing
Explanation: This is a simple present tense sentence with a singular subject "orchestra." According to the subject-verb agreement rule, a singular subject requires a singular verb. Therefore, we need the singular present tense verb form of "play," which is "plays."
5. The book __________ a fascinating story.
a) has
b) have
c) had
d) having
Explanation:In this sentence, the correct choice is "has." The sentence structure is subject-verb agreement, where the subject "book" is singular, and therefore, it requires a singular verb form.
6. The company __________ its employees well.
a) treat
b) treats
c) treated
d) treating
Explanation: In this sentence, the correct choice is "treats." The subject is "company," which is singular, and therefore, it requires a singular verb form.
7. The sun __________ in the sky.
a) shines
b) shine
c) shined
d) shining
Explanation: In this sentence, the correct choice is "shines." "Shines" is the correct form of the verb to use when describing the action of the sun in the present tense.
8. My family __________ a great time at the beach.
a) had
b) have
c) has
d) having
Explanation: In this sentence, the correct choice is "had." The subject "family" is singular, but the verb should be in the past tense. "Had" is the correct past tense form of the verb to use with the singular subject "family."
9. The birds __________ early in the morning.
a) chirps
b) chirping
c) chirp
d) chirped
Explanation:
In this sentence, the correct choice is "chirp." The subject "birds" is plural, and the verb should be in the present tense to match the action that occurs regularly. "Chirp" is the correct form of the verb to use with the plural subject "birds."
10. The teacher __________ the lesson to the students.
a) explains
b) explain
c) explaining
d) explained
Explanation:
In this sentence, the correct choice is "explains." The subject "teacher" is singular, and the verb should be in the present tense to match the action that the teacher regularly performs. "Explains" is the correct form of the verb to use with the singular subject "teacher."
11. The football team __________ their game last night.
a) won
b) win
c) winning
d) wons
Explanation: In this sentence, you are describing an action that happened in the past, which is winning the game. "Won" is the past tense form of the verb "win."
12. The baby __________ in his crib.
a) sleeps
b) sleep
c) slept
d) sleeping
Explanation: The sentence is describing the baby's current state. "Sleeps" is the correct present tense form of the verb "sleep" to use in this context.
13. The company’s policies __________ changing.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Explanation: The subject "policies" is plural, so the correct verb form should also be plural. "Are" is the correct form of the verb "be" to use with a plural subject.
14. The children __________ their mother’s cooking.
a) love
b) loves
c) loved
d) loving
Explanation: The subject "children" is plural, so the correct verb form should also be plural. "Love" is the correct present tense form of the verb to use with a plural subject.
15. The river __________ through the city.
a) runs
b) run
c) running
d) ran
Explanation: The sentence is describing a regular, ongoing action that the river performs. "Runs" is the correct present tense form of the verb "run" in this context.