Matching Verbs Intervening Quiz

1. In the sentence The list of items is long, what is the true subject that decides the verb form?

Items

List

Items is

List of items

List is the main noun and it is singular, so the verb must also be singular (is).

Explanation

List is the main noun and it is singular, so the verb must also be singular (is).

2. Choose the correct verb: The box of crayons ___ on the table.

Are

Were

Is

Be

Box is the true subject and it is singular, so the correct verb is is.

Explanation

Box is the true subject and it is singular, so the correct verb is is.

3. Choose the correct verb: The players on the team ___ practicing.

Is

Are

Was

Be

Players is the true subject and it is plural, so the verb must be are.

Explanation

Players is the true subject and it is plural, so the verb must be are.

4. In sentences with prepositional phrases, the verb must agree with the main subject, not the noun in the prepositional phrase.

True

False

You always match the verb to the true subject and ignore the number of nouns inside the prepositional phrase.

Explanation

You always match the verb to the true subject and ignore the number of nouns inside the prepositional phrase.

5. In The bouquet of flowers are pretty, the verb agrees correctly with the subject.

True

False

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

Explanation

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

Submit

8. Which sentence shows correct subject-verb agreement with an intervening phrase?

The pile of leaves are deep.

The cars in the parking lot is new.

The group of friends are here.

The bouquet of roses is beautiful.

Bouquet is singular and correctly uses the singular verb is.

Explanation

Bouquet is singular and correctly uses the singular verb is.

9. Which part of this sentence is incorrect: The stack of papers are on the desk?

Stack (it should be plural)

Of papers (it should be the subject)

Are (it should be is)

On the desk (it should be at the desk)

Stack is a singular subject, so the verb must be is, not are.

Explanation

Stack is a singular subject, so the verb must be is, not are.

10. The sentence The cars in the garage are clean uses correct subject-verb agreement.

True

False

Cars is a plural subject and correctly takes the plural verb are.

Explanation

Cars is a plural subject and correctly takes the plural verb are.

11. Which sentences use a verb that correctly matches the true subject?

The bag of chips is open.

The bag of chips are open.

The jars on the counter are empty.

The jars on the counter is empty.

A box of toys is missing.

A, C, and E match the verb to bag, jars, and box, which are the true subjects.

Explanation

A, C, and E match the verb to bag, jars, and box, which are the true subjects.

Submit

12. Which sentences have incorrect subject-verb agreement because of the intervening phrase?

The set of keys are on the table.

The crowd of fans is cheering.

The pieces of the puzzle is lost.

The stars in the sky are bright.

A bunch of balloons is floating away.

A and C use are or is with the wrong number for the true subjects set and pieces.

Explanation

A and C use are or is with the wrong number for the true subjects set and pieces.

Submit

14. Write the correct verb: The students in the band ___ practicing today.

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

Explanation

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

Submit

15. Choose the correct verb: A basket of apples ___ on the table.

Sit

Sits

Are sitting

Were sitting

Basket is a singular subject, so the verb must also be singular, which is sits.

Explanation

Basket is a singular subject, so the verb must also be singular, which is sits.

16. Choose the correct verb: The children in the group ___ singing.

Is

Are

Was

Be

Children is plural, so the verb must be are even though group is singular inside the phrase.

Explanation

Children is plural, so the verb must be are even though group is singular inside the phrase.

17. In The cover of the books is torn, cover is the word that decides the verb form.

True

False

Cover is the singular subject, so the verb is must agree with cover, not books.

Explanation

Cover is the singular subject, so the verb is must agree with cover, not books.

18. In The box of cookies are empty, box is a plural subject, so are is correct.

True

False

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

Explanation

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

19. Which sentence correctly matches the verb to a singular subject with an intervening phrase?

The team of players are ready.

The flock of birds are flying south.

The list of chores is on the fridge.

The boxes of cereal is on sale.

List is singular and correctly uses the singular verb is.

Explanation

List is singular and correctly uses the singular verb is.

20. What is the best strategy to choose the correct verb in a sentence with an intervening prepositional phrase?

Change all verbs to past tense first.

Underline every preposition and make it the subject.

Ignore the prepositional phrase and match the verb to the main subject.

Always use a plural verb if there is more than one noun.

You should skip the prepositional phrase and match the verb only to the main subject of the sentence.

Explanation

You should skip the prepositional phrase and match the verb only to the main subject of the sentence.

Proximity Trap: Matching Verbs Intervening Quiz