Define the Structure: What Are Intervening Words Quiz?

Intervening words are phrases that sit between the subject and verb but do not change which noun is the subject.

Color is the noun doing the being, so it is the subject; of the flowers is just an intervening phrase.

Homework is the subject and is singular, so the verb should be is, even though students is plural in the phrase.

You match the verb to the main subject, not to any words that come between the subject and verb.

Bag is the subject and is singular, so the singular verb is is correct even though apples is plural.

Box is the subject and is singular, so the verb should be is.

Pages is the subject and is plural, so the verb should be are.

Of the cookies comes between the subject smell and the verb is, so it is the intervening phrase.

Pile is the singular subject, so the verb must be the singular form is.

A, C, and E match the verb to the true subject group, toys, and teacher, not to the words in the phrases.

A and C use a verb that does not match the true subject bouquet and pages.

Bouquet is a singular subject, so the verb should be is.

Crowd is treated as a singular subject, so the correct verb is is.

Sound is the main noun that the verb is describes; the other words form intervening phrases.

Shelf is the singular subject, so the verb must be is even though books is plural.

Toys is the subject and is plural, so the verb should be are, not is.

Pair is the singular subject, so the singular verb is is correct.

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

Students is the plural subject, so the plural verb are is correct.

You should find the true subject and make sure the verb agrees with that subject, ignoring intervening phrases.