Intervening Words Challenge Quiz

1. Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

The box of crayons are on the table.

The box of crayons is on the table.

The boxes of crayon is on the table.

The boxes of crayon be on the table.

Box is singular, so the verb is should be used.

Explanation

Box is singular, so the verb is should be used.

2. Fix the agreement error: The pages in the book is folded.

The pages in the book are folded.

The pages in the book be folded.

The page in the book are folded.

The page in the book were folded.

Pages is plural, so the verb must be are.

Explanation

Pages is plural, so the verb must be are.

3. In a sentence with a prepositional phrase, the verb should agree with the main subject, not the noun in the phrase.

True

False

Prepositional phrases are extra information, so the verb matches only the main subject.

Explanation

Prepositional phrases are extra information, so the verb matches only the main subject.

Submit

5. Which sentence needs its verb changed to fix subject-verb agreement?

The box of pencils is on the shelf.

The jars of jam are stored in the pantry.

The dog with the long ears is sleeping.

The pile of books are spilling over.

Pile is singular, so the verb should be is, which makes D incorrect.

Explanation

Pile is singular, so the verb should be is, which makes D incorrect.

6. The sentence The cars in the garage is dirty should be changed to The cars in the garage are dirty.

True

False

Cars is plural, so the verb must be are to agree.

Explanation

Cars is plural, so the verb must be are to agree.

Submit

8. Choose the correct sentence with an intervening phrase using as well as.

The teacher, as well as the students, are excited.

The teacher, as well as the students, is excited.

The teachers, as well as the student, is excited.

The teacher, as well as the students, be excited.

Teacher is the singular subject, so the verb should be is.

Explanation

Teacher is the singular subject, so the verb should be is.

9. Choose the correct revision: The coach, along with the players, are arriving soon.

The coach, along with the players, are arriving soon.

The coach, along with the players, is arriving soon.

The coaches, along with the player, is arriving soon.

The coach, along with the players, be arriving soon.

Coach is singular, so the verb is should be used.

Explanation

Coach is singular, so the verb is should be used.

10. In which sentences is the underlined noun the true subject that the verb must match?

The stack of magazines is on the table.

The stack of magazines are on the table.

The sound of the waves is calming.

The boxes of cereal is in the cabinet.

The pair of shoes is near the door.

In A, C, and E the subjects stack, sound, and pair correctly match the singular verbs.

Explanation

In A, C, and E the subjects stack, sound, and pair correctly match the singular verbs.

Submit

11. What is the best first step when you see a long sentence with a possible agreement error?

Change the verb to plural just in case.

Cross out or ignore the intervening phrase and find the main subject.

Add another noun before the verb.

Move the prepositional phrase to the end of the sentence.

Ignoring the intervening phrase lets you match the verb directly to the main subject.

Explanation

Ignoring the intervening phrase lets you match the verb directly to the main subject.

12. In the sentence The flock of birds is flying south, what is the true subject that the verb must agree with?

Flock

Birds

South

Flying

Flock is the main noun doing the action, so the verb must agree with flock.

Explanation

Flock is the main noun doing the action, so the verb must agree with flock.

13. The sentence The pile of leaves are deep is written with correct subject-verb agreement.

True

False

Pile is singular, so the verb should be is, not are.

Explanation

Pile is singular, so the verb should be is, not are.

Submit

15. Select all sentences that use correct subject-verb agreement with intervening phrases.

The herd of cattle is moving slowly.

The herd of cattle are moving slowly.

The pictures on the wall are crooked.

The picture on the walls are crooked.

The group of friends is laughing.

A, C, and E match the verb to the true subjects herd, pictures, and group correctly.

Explanation

A, C, and E match the verb to the true subjects herd, pictures, and group correctly.

Submit

16. Select the sentences that still have agreement mistakes.

The basket of apples is heavy.

The rows of chairs is straight.

The teacher with the posters is talking.

The boxes of toys are open.

The jar of cookies are empty.

B and E use is or are with the wrong number for the main subject rows and jar.

Explanation

B and E use is or are with the wrong number for the main subject rows and jar.

Submit

17. What is the true subject in the sentence The colors of the balloons are bright?

Colors

Balloons

Bright

Of the balloons

Colors is the main noun, so the verb are agrees with colors.

Explanation

Colors is the main noun, so the verb are agrees with colors.

18. The sentence The team of players is practicing has correct subject-verb agreement.

True

False

Team is a singular subject and correctly uses is.

Explanation

Team is a singular subject and correctly uses is.

Submit

20. Which sentence is written with correct subject-verb agreement and intervening words?

The line of people are getting longer.

The group of actors are ready to perform.

The pile of leaves is in the yard.

The shelves of books is organized.

Pile is singular and correctly uses the singular verb is.

Explanation

Pile is singular and correctly uses the singular verb is.

Comprehensive Practice: Intervening Words Challenge Quiz