Fixing Intervening Word Mistakes Quiz

1. Which sentence correctly fixes the agreement error with the intervening phrase?

The group of students are walking to the bus.

The group of students is walking to the bus.

The group of students be walking to the bus.

The group of students was walking to the bus are.

Group is the singular subject, so the correct verb is is walking.

Explanation

Group is the singular subject, so the correct verb is is walking.

2. Fix the error: The box of markers are on the desk.

The box of markers is on the desk.

The boxes of markers is on the desk.

The box of markers be on the desk.

The box of markers were on the desk.

Box is singular, so it needs the singular verb is.

Explanation

Box is singular, so it needs the singular verb is.

3. Fix the error: The pages in the book is torn.

The page in the book is torn.

The pages in the book are torn.

The pages in the book be torn.

The pages in the book was torn.

Pages is plural, so the verb must be are.

Explanation

Pages is plural, so the verb must be are.

4. To fix agreement errors, you should match the verb to the main subject, not the noun inside the prepositional phrase.

True

False

Intervening phrases do not change the subject, so the verb must agree with the main subject only.

Explanation

Intervening phrases do not change the subject, so the verb must agree with the main subject only.

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

True

False

Pile is singular and correctly uses the singular verb is.

Explanation

Pile is singular and correctly uses the singular verb is.

6. Write the correct verb to fix the sentence: The herd of sheep ___ running across the field.

Herd is the singular subject, so it takes the singular verb is.

Explanation

Herd is the singular subject, so it takes the singular verb is.

Submit

7. Write the correct verb to fix the sentence: The toys in the closet ___ broken.

Toys is a plural subject, so it takes the plural verb are.

Explanation

Toys is a plural subject, so it takes the plural verb are.

Submit

8. Which revision fixes the agreement error in The coat with the torn sleeves are on the chair?

The coat with the torn sleeves are on the chair.

The coat with the torn sleeves is on the chair.

The coats with the torn sleeves is on the chair.

The coat with the torn sleeves be on the chair.

Coat is singular, so the verb must be is.

Explanation

Coat is singular, so the verb must be is.

9. Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement with an intervening phrase?

The team of players are winning the game.

The basket of apples are heavy.

The teacher with the red glasses is speaking.

The jars of candy is on the shelf.

Teacher is the singular subject and correctly uses the singular verb is.

Explanation

Teacher is the singular subject and correctly uses the singular verb is.

10. The sentence The bags under the bed is full needs to be changed to The bags under the bed are full.

True

False

Bags is plural, so the verb must be changed to are.

Explanation

Bags is plural, so the verb must be changed to are.

11. Which sentences show the agreement error correctly fixed?

The box of cookies is on the counter.

The box of cookies are on the counter.

The flowers in the vase are fresh.

The flowers in the vase is fresh.

The stack of papers is on my desk.

A, C, and E match the verb to the true subjects box, flowers, and stack.

Explanation

A, C, and E match the verb to the true subjects box, flowers, and stack.

Submit

12. Which sentences still have a subject-verb agreement mistake?

The group of singers is ready.

The pile of books are on the table.

The pieces of the puzzle are missing.

The crowd of fans are loud.

The basket of fruits is heavy.

B and D use are with the singular subjects pile and crowd, so they are incorrect.

Explanation

B and D use are with the singular subjects pile and crowd, so they are incorrect.

Submit

14. Write the correct verb to fix the sentence: The pair of shoes ___ by the door.

Pair is a singular subject, so it takes the singular verb is.

Explanation

Pair is a singular subject, so it takes the singular verb is.

Submit

15. What should you do first to fix agreement in a sentence with an intervening phrase?

Change every verb to past tense.

Underline the noun in the prepositional phrase.

Ignore the intervening phrase and find the main subject.

Add more adjectives before the subject.

You should skip the intervening phrase so you can match the verb directly to the main subject.

Explanation

You should skip the intervening phrase so you can match the verb directly to the main subject.

16. Fix the error: The cover of the books are ripped.

The cover of the books are ripped.

The cover of the books is ripped.

The covers of the books is ripped.

The covers of the books be ripped.

Cover is singular, so the verb must be is to match it.

Explanation

Cover is singular, so the verb must be is to match it.

17. The sentence The bunch of flowers is on the table has correct subject-verb agreement.

True

False

Bunch is the singular subject and correctly uses the singular verb is.

Explanation

Bunch is the singular subject and correctly uses the singular verb is.

18. The sentence The pieces of candy is missing should be corrected to The pieces of candy are missing.

True

False

Pieces is plural, so the verb should be are, not is.

Explanation

Pieces is plural, so the verb should be are, not is.

19. Fix the agreement error: The box, along with the bags, are in the car.

The box, along with the bags, are in the car.

The box, along with the bags, is in the car.

The boxes, along with the bags, is in the car.

The box, along with the bags, be in the car.

Box is the singular subject, so the verb must be is even with the extra phrase along with the bags.

Explanation

Box is the singular subject, so the verb must be is even with the extra phrase along with the bags.

20. Which sentence needs its verb changed to fix an agreement mistake with an intervening phrase?

The flock of birds is flying south.

The rows of chairs are lined up.

The jar of marbles is open.

The pile of toys are scattered.

Pile is singular, so the verb should be is, which makes D the sentence that needs correction.

Explanation

Pile is singular, so the verb should be is, which makes D the sentence that needs correction.

Error Correction: Fixing Agreement Mistakes with Intervening Words Quiz