Subject verb agreement is a crucial aspect of effective communication. It refers to the agreement between a subject and its corresponding verb. When these two components are in agreement, it helps to enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing. On the other hand, when there is a lack of agreement, it can lead to confusion and ambiguity. To help you improve your skills in this area, we have compiled a subject-verb agreement practice test with answers.
Test 1: Choose the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
1. The students (is/are) excited about the field trip next week.
Answer: are
Explanation: Students is a plural noun, so it requires the plural form of the verb to be used.
2. The book that I borrowed from the library (is/are) overdue.
Answer: is
Explanation: The subject is “book,” not “books,” so the singular form of the verb is needed.
3. Each of the students (is/are) expected to arrive on time.
Answer: is
Explanation: “Each” is a singular pronoun, so it requires a singular verb form.
4. The group of doctors (is/are) conducting research on the new vaccine.
Answer: is
Explanation: “Group” is a singular noun, so it requires a singular verb form.
5. The number of participants (is/are) increasing every day.
Answer: is
Explanation: “Number” is a singular noun, so it requires a singular verb form.
Test 2: Identify the correct subject-verb agreement in the sentence.
1. Either the cat or the dogs (is, are) responsible for the mess.
Answer: is
Explanation: Either refers to one of two things, so it requires a singular verb form.
2. The committee members (is, are) divided on the issue.
Answer: are
Explanation: “Members” is a plural noun, so it requires a plural verb form.
3. The majority of the students (is, are) in favor of canceling the exam.
Answer: are
Explanation: “Majority” refers to a group of people, so it requires a plural verb form.
4. My sister, along with her friends, (is, are) planning a surprise party for my mom.
Answer: is
Explanation: The subject is “my sister,” which is singular, so it requires a singular verb form.
5. Neither the teacher nor the students (knows, know) the answer to the question.
Answer: knows
Explanation: “Neither” refers to one of two things, so it requires a singular verb form.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of effective communication. By practicing these tests, you can enhance your communication skills and convey your message more effectively. Remember that a subject and its corresponding verb should always be in agreement to ensure clarity and coherence in your writing. With the help of these practice tests, you can improve your subject-verb agreement skills and become a more effective communicator.