Tricky Agreement: Subject-Verb Agreement with Correlative Conjunctions Quiz

  • 5th Grade
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| Questions: 20 | Updated: Jan 7, 2026
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1. Which verb correctly completes the sentence: 'Neither the dogs nor the cat ___ hungry.'

Explanation

The rule for 'neither/nor' is that the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. The closest subject is 'cat' (singular), so the singular verb 'is' (or 'was') is correct; 'is' is the best choice for a present state.

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About This Quiz
Tricky Agreement: Subject-Verb Agreement With Correlative Conjunctions Quiz - Quiz

Subject-verb agreement can become complex when correlative conjunctions are involved. In this SVA correlative conjunctions quiz, you’ll focus on determining which subject controls the verb based on conjunction type and proximity. You’ll analyze sentence structure, apply agreement rules, and avoid common errors. Each question builds confidence in handling agreement accurately... see morein sentences with paired subjects.
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2. Complete the sentence: ‘Either the principal or the teachers _______ attending the meeting.’

Explanation

For 'either/or,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. 'Teachers' is a plural noun, making the plural verb 'are' the correct choice for agreement.

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3. The correlative conjunction pair ‘both...and...’ always requires a plural verb, regardless of whether the individual subjects are singular.

Explanation

This statement is true; 'both/and' always links two items that, when combined, create a compound plural subject, necessitating a plural verb.

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4. Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Not only the students but also the professors ___ planning the event.’

Explanation

The rule for 'not only/but also' dictates that the verb agrees with the closest subject. 'Professors' is plural, requiring the plural verb 'are'.

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5. Which sentences show correct subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

Sentence A is correct because 'both/and' is always plural. C is correct because the closest subject 'orange' is singular. D is correct because the closest subject 'student' is singular. B is incorrect because the plural 'players' is closer, requiring 'are'.

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6. Which sentence uses the correct verb form?

Explanation

In sentence B, the closest subject to the verb is 'crew members' (plural), so the plural verb 'are' is correctly used. A is wrong; C and D violate their respective SVA rules.

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7. Complete the sentence: ‘Both the map and the compass _______ placed in the backpack.’

Explanation

The pair 'both/and' always forms a plural subject, regardless of the individual parts, so the plural verb 'were' is required for agreement.

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8. When 'either/or' is used, the verb agrees with the subject that comes first in the sentence.

Explanation

This is false. With 'either/or,' 'neither/nor,' and 'not only/but also,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb, which may be the second subject mentioned.

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9. Choose the verb that agrees with the subject: ‘Either the twins or Alex ___ going to the party.’

Explanation

The subject closest to the verb is 'Alex,' which is singular. Therefore, the singular verb 'is' is the correct choice to maintain subject-verb agreement.

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10. Which sentences contain an error in subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

A is wrong ('cats' is plural, should be 'seem'). B is wrong ('pie' is singular, should be 'is'). D is wrong ('both/and' is plural, should be 'need').

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11. Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Not only the guests but also the host ___ forgotten the date.’

Explanation

The verb must agree with the closest subject. 'The host' is singular, so the singular helping verb 'has' (forming the present perfect tense) is required.

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12. Complete the sentence: ‘Neither the manager nor the employees _______ satisfied with the new plan.’

Explanation

The closest subject is 'employees' (plural), so the plural verb 'were' is the only correct form to use with the correlative conjunction 'neither/nor'.

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13. If a subject is joined by 'both...and...', a singular verb can be used if both individual subjects are singular (e.g., Both ice cream and cake is delicious).

Explanation

This is false. The rule for 'both...and...' is absolute: it always creates a compound plural subject and must always take a plural verb (e.g., Both ice cream and cake are delicious).

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14. Choose the correct verb for the sentence: ‘Either the students or the teacher ___ responsible for locking the door.’

Explanation

The subject closest to the verb is 'the teacher' (singular), requiring the singular verb 'is' for correct agreement with the 'either/or' construction.

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15. Which sentences follow the SVA rule for correlative conjunctions? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

A is correct ('boss' is singular, 'attends' is singular). B is correct ('both/and' is plural, 'are' is plural). C is incorrect ('gloves' is plural, 'are' is correct, so the sentence is fine). D is incorrect ('nurses' is plural, should be 'perform').

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16. Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Neither the books nor the paper ___ on the desk.’

Explanation

The verb agrees with the closest subject, 'the paper' (singular). Therefore, the singular verb 'is' is the correct choice in the present tense.

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17. Complete the sentence: ‘Not only the children but also the adults _______ enjoying the magic show.’

Explanation

The subject closest to the verb is 'the adults' (plural), which mandates the use of the plural verb 'are' in this 'not only/but also' construction.

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18. The proximity rule (verb agrees with the closest subject) applies to all correlative conjunction pairs.

Explanation

This is false. While the proximity rule applies to 'neither/nor,' 'either/or,' and 'not only/but also,' the pair 'both/and' is an exception, as it always requires a plural verb.

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19. Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Both the salad and the soup ___ excellent choices for dinner.’

Explanation

The 'both/and' pair always creates a plural subject (the salad and the soup combined), which must take the plural verb 'are'.

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20. Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Either the principal or the counselors ___ notified about the change in schedule.’

Explanation

The subject closest to the verb is 'the counselors' (plural), so the plural verb 'were' is the correct choice for subject-verb agreement in the past tense.

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Which verb correctly completes the sentence: 'Neither the dogs nor the...
Complete the sentence: ‘Either the principal or the teachers _______...
The correlative conjunction pair ‘both...and...’ always requires a...
Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Not only the students...
Which sentences show correct subject-verb agreement? (Select all that...
Which sentence uses the correct verb form?
Complete the sentence: ‘Both the map and the compass _______ placed...
When 'either/or' is used, the verb agrees with the subject that comes...
Choose the verb that agrees with the subject: ‘Either the twins or...
Which sentences contain an error in subject-verb agreement? (Select...
Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Not only the guests...
Complete the sentence: ‘Neither the manager nor the employees...
If a subject is joined by 'both...and...', a singular verb can be used...
Choose the correct verb for the sentence: ‘Either the students or...
Which sentences follow the SVA rule for correlative conjunctions?...
Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Neither the books nor...
Complete the sentence: ‘Not only the children but also the adults...
The proximity rule (verb agrees with the closest subject) applies to...
Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Both the salad and the...
Which verb correctly completes the sentence: ‘Either the principal...
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