Define the Structure: What Are Intervening Words Quiz?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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