Tricky Noun Agreement Errors Quiz

1. Correct the error in this sentence: 'The furniture are being moved tomorrow.'

Change 'furniture' to 'furnitures'.

Change 'are' to 'is'.

Change 'being moved' to 'moving'.

Change 'tomorrow' to 'today'.

Furniture is a non-count (uncountable) noun and is always treated as singular, requiring the verb is.

Explanation

Furniture is a non-count (uncountable) noun and is always treated as singular, requiring the verb is.

2. Question: The sentence 'My mother's advice were very helpful' has an agreement error. The verb were should be changed to _______.

Advice is a non-count noun and must take the singular verb was.

Explanation

Advice is a non-count noun and must take the singular verb was.

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3. The sentence 'The news are reporting on the storm' is grammatically correct.

True

False

This is false. News is grammatically singular and requires the verb is.

Explanation

This is false. News is grammatically singular and requires the verb is.

4. Correct the error in this sentence: 'The whole class have submitted their papers.'

Change 'class' to 'classes'.

Change 'have' to 'has'.

Change 'their' to 'its'.

Both B and C

Class is a collective noun, usually treated as singular in American English. It requires the singular verb has and the singular possessive its.

Explanation

Class is a collective noun, usually treated as singular in American English. It requires the singular verb has and the singular possessive its.

5. Which sentences contain an error in subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply)

The scissors needs to be sharpened before use.

The politics of the region are complicated.

The box of donuts is on the counter.

A lot of money were invested in the project.

A: Scissors is always plural and takes the verb need. D: Money is a non-count noun and takes the verb was.

Explanation

A: Scissors is always plural and takes the verb need. D: Money is a non-count noun and takes the verb was.

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6. Question: The plural of crisis is crises. The sentence 'The recent crises was resolved quickly' has an agreement error. The verb was should be changed to _______.

The plural subject crises requires the plural verb were.

Explanation

The plural subject crises requires the plural verb were.

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7. Correct the error in this sentence: 'The school's equipment were too old to be used.'

Change 'equipment' to 'equipments'.

Change 'were' to 'was'.

Change 'used' to 'use'.

No correction is needed.

Equipment is a non-count noun and must take the singular verb was.

Explanation

Equipment is a non-count noun and must take the singular verb was.

8. The sentence 'A pair of trousers are needed for the uniform' is correct.

True

False

This is false. The singular subject is pair (of trousers). The verb should be is.

Explanation

This is false. The singular subject is pair (of trousers). The verb should be is.

9. Correct the error in this sentence: 'Three hundred dollars are a lot to spend on a jacket.'

Change 'dollars' to 'dollar'.

Change 'are' to 'is'.

Change 'spend' to 'spent'.

No correction is needed.

When a plural noun like dollars refers to a single sum or unit of measure, it is treated as singular, requiring the verb is.

Explanation

When a plural noun like dollars refers to a single sum or unit of measure, it is treated as singular, requiring the verb is.

10. Which sentences use correct subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply)

The math class meets every afternoon.

The clothes hangs in the closet.

A large amount of books were donated.

The staff is having its holiday party next week.

A: Math is a short form of mathematics (singular). D: Staff (collective noun) is treated as singular.

Explanation

A: Math is a short form of mathematics (singular). D: Staff (collective noun) is treated as singular.

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11. Question: The sentence 'The data shows a clear trend in consumer spending' is usually considered correct because data is often treated as a _______ noun in modern usage.

Although traditionally plural, data is commonly accepted as a singular (non-count) noun in everyday writing.

Explanation

Although traditionally plural, data is commonly accepted as a singular (non-count) noun in everyday writing.

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12. Correct the error in this sentence: 'The team is divided on the issue; they are arguing constantly.'

Change 'team is' to 'team are'.

Change 'are arguing' to 'is arguing'.

Change 'divided' to 'unified'.

No correction is needed.

When a collective noun (team) is acting as separate individuals, it is treated as plural, requiring the plural verb are.

Explanation

When a collective noun (team) is acting as separate individuals, it is treated as plural, requiring the plural verb are.

13. The sentence 'There was several small sheep sleeping in the corner' is correct.

True

False

This is false. The true subject is the plural noun sheep, which requires the plural verb were. (There were several small sheep).

Explanation

This is false. The true subject is the plural noun sheep, which requires the plural verb were. (There were several small sheep).

14. Correct the error in this sentence: 'The luggage are too heavy to carry upstairs.'

Change 'luggage' to 'luggages'.

Change 'are' to 'is'.

Change 'too heavy' to 'so heavy'.

No correction is needed.

Luggage is a non-count noun and must take the singular verb is.

Explanation

Luggage is a non-count noun and must take the singular verb is.

15. Which sentences contain an error in subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply)

The means of travel were expensive.

The series of lectures have been postponed.

The majority of voters is against the proposal.

The mumps is a painful childhood disease.

B: Series (singular) requires has been postponed. C: Majority (when referring to plural items/people) typically takes are.

Explanation

B: Series (singular) requires has been postponed. C: Majority (when referring to plural items/people) typically takes are.

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16. Question: The plural form of medium is media. The sentence 'All the media was present at the press conference' is correct because media is often treated as a _______ subject.

Media is often treated as a singular subject in this context in modern usage.

Explanation

Media is often treated as a singular subject in this context in modern usage.

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17. Correct the error in this sentence: 'The dynamics of the team need to be studied.'

Change 'dynamics' to 'dynamic'.

Change 'need' to 'needs'.

Change 'studied' to 'studying'.

No correction is needed.

Dynamics (the scientific study or systemic forces) is treated as a singular subject, requiring the verb needs.

Explanation

Dynamics (the scientific study or systemic forces) is treated as a singular subject, requiring the verb needs.

18. The sentence 'My favorite pair of jeans is torn at the knee' is correct.

True

False

This is true. The subject is the singular noun pair, not the plural 'jeans.'

Explanation

This is true. The subject is the singular noun pair, not the plural 'jeans.'

19. Correct the error in this sentence: 'His current wage were not enough to cover the rent.'

Change 'wage' to 'wages'.

Change 'were' to 'was'.

Change 'rent' to 'renting'.

No correction is needed.

Wage (singular) requires the singular verb was. (Note: If the subject were the plural 'wages,' the verb would be were).

Explanation

Wage (singular) requires the singular verb was. (Note: If the subject were the plural 'wages,' the verb would be were).

20. Which sentences correctly use a singular verb form? (Select all that apply)

Measles is a highly contagious illness.

The politics of the situation is confusing.

The premises of the factory is very large.

A ton of bricks were delivered this morning.

A: Measles (an illness) is treated as singular. B: Politics (an abstract concept) is treated as singular. (C: Premises is plural and takes are. D: Ton is the singular subject and takes was.)

Explanation

A: Measles (an illness) is treated as singular. B: Politics (an abstract concept) is treated as singular. (C: Premises is plural and takes are. D: Ton is the singular subject and takes was.)

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Common Mistakes: Error Correction in Sentences with Tricky Noun Agreement Quiz