Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of the English language. As an editor, you must ensure that the subject of a sentence agrees with its verb in terms of number and person. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. Understanding and applying the rules of subject-verb agreement can be challenging, but multiple choice questions can help you test your knowledge.
Here are some sample multiple choice questions based on subject-verb agreement:
Question 1: Select the correct verb that agrees with the subject in the following sentence:
The cat and the dog _______ fighting over a piece of meat.
A) is
B) are
C) am
D) was
Answer: B) are
Explanation: The subject of the sentence includes both the cat and the dog, which makes it plural. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “are.”
Question 2: Choose the right verb that agrees with the singular subject in the given sentence:
The teacher, along with her students, _______ attending the seminar.
A) is
B) are
C) am
D) were
Answer: A) is
Explanation: Even though the sentence includes “her students,” the subject of the sentence is “the teacher,” which is singular. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “is.”
Question 3: Pick the suitable verb that matches the plural subject in the following sentence:
The apples in the basket _______ ripe and juicy.
A) is
B) are
C) am
D) was
Answer: B) are
Explanation: The subject of the sentence is “the apples,” which is a plural noun. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “are.”
Question 4: Select the correct verb that agrees with the subject in the following sentence:
Each of the students _______ given a certificate of excellence.
A) is
B) are
C) am
D) were
Answer: A) is
Explanation: The subject of the sentence is “each,” which is singular. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “is.”
Question 5: Choose the right verb that matches the plural subject in the given sentence:
The books on the shelf _______ dusty and old.
A) is
B) are
C) am
D) was
Answer: B) are
Explanation: The subject of the sentence is “the books,” which is a plural noun. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “are.”
In conclusion, multiple choice questions based on subject-verb agreement can help you test and improve your knowledge of this grammar rule. By practicing and mastering such questions, you can become a better copy editor and ensure that your content is error-free and optimized for SEO.