SVA Irregular Plurals Quiz

1. Choose the correct verb: 'The mice in the field ___ quickly.' (run/runs)

Run

Runs

The subject 'mice' is the irregular plural form of 'mouse' and requires the plural verb form run.

Explanation

The subject 'mice' is the irregular plural form of 'mouse' and requires the plural verb form run.

2. Choose the correct verb: 'The dentist checked the patient's gaps between their teeth.' (was/were)

Was

Were

The true subject of the clause is the plural noun gaps (not teeth). The plural subject requires the plural verb form were.

Explanation

The true subject of the clause is the plural noun gaps (not teeth). The plural subject requires the plural verb form were.

3. Choose the correct verb: 'The headquarters of the company ___ located in London.' (is/are)

Is

Are

Headquarters' is commonly treated as a singular noun, requiring the singular verb form is.

Explanation

Headquarters' is commonly treated as a singular noun, requiring the singular verb form is.

4. Question: The plural noun lice requires the plural verb form. Fill in the blank: 'The lice _______ spreading quickly in the coop.' (was/were)

The irregular plural subject lice requires the plural verb form were.

Explanation

The irregular plural subject lice requires the plural verb form were.

Submit

5. Question: The plural noun geese requires the plural verb form. Fill in the blank: 'The geese _______ overhead.' (flies/fly)

The irregular plural subject geese requires the plural verb form fly.

Explanation

The irregular plural subject geese requires the plural verb form fly.

Submit

6. Choose the correct verb: 'A large group of women ___ running a marathon this weekend.' (is/are)

Is

Are

The subject 'women' is an irregular plural noun and requires the plural verb form are.

Explanation

The subject 'women' is an irregular plural noun and requires the plural verb form are.

7. Choose the correct verb: 'The children ___ outside every day.' (plays/play)

Plays

Play

The subject 'children' is an irregular plural noun and requires the plural verb form play (no -s).

Explanation

The subject 'children' is an irregular plural noun and requires the plural verb form play (no -s).

8. The sentence 'Many people goes to the theater on weekends' is correct.

True

False

This is false. The irregular plural subject 'people' requires the plural verb form go.

Explanation

This is false. The irregular plural subject 'people' requires the plural verb form go.

9. Question: The singular form is 'analysis.' The plural form analyses requires the plural verb form. Fill in the blank: 'The recent analyses _______ a clear pattern.' (show/shows)

The plural subject analyses requires the plural verb form show.

Explanation

The plural subject analyses requires the plural verb form show.

Submit

10. Choose the correct verb: 'The herd of deer ___ carefully through the woods.' (walks/walk)

Walks

Walk

The subject is 'herd' (singular), not 'deer,' which is an irregular plural that can be singular or plural. The singular subject 'herd' requires the singular verb form walks.

Explanation

The subject is 'herd' (singular), not 'deer,' which is an irregular plural that can be singular or plural. The singular subject 'herd' requires the singular verb form walks.

11. The sentence 'The media reports on the election every hour' is conventionally acceptable, treating 'media' as singular.

True

False

This is true. While technically the plural of 'medium,' 'media' is widely accepted and used as a singular noun in this context.

Explanation

This is true. While technically the plural of 'medium,' 'media' is widely accepted and used as a singular noun in this context.

12. Choose the correct verb: 'The entire staff's focus ___ on quality assurance.' (is/are)

Is

Are

The subject is 'focus' (singular), not the plural noun 'staff.' The singular subject requires the singular verb form is.

Explanation

The subject is 'focus' (singular), not the plural noun 'staff.' The singular subject requires the singular verb form is.

13. Question: The singular form is 'criterion.' The plural form criteria requires the plural verb form. Fill in the blank: 'The new criteria _______ difficult to meet.' (is/are)

The plural subject criteria requires the plural verb form are.

Explanation

The plural subject criteria requires the plural verb form are.

Submit

14. Which sentences use correct subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply)

Several fish swims near the boat.

The farmer owns three oxen.

The louse were crawling on the plant leaves.

The men work late on Fridays.

Oxen' is the correct plural form (though a noun, not verb agreement). 'Men' is plural and takes the plural verb work. (A: 'fish' requires 'swim.' C: 'louse' is singular, 'lice' is plural).

Explanation

Oxen' is the correct plural form (though a noun, not verb agreement). 'Men' is plural and takes the plural verb work. (A: 'fish' requires 'swim.' C: 'louse' is singular, 'lice' is plural).

Submit

15. Choose the correct verb: 'The series of events ___ in the final scene of the play.' (culminates/culminate)

Culminates

Culminate

The noun 'series' is singular in this context and requires the singular verb form culminates.

Explanation

The noun 'series' is singular in this context and requires the singular verb form culminates.

16. The sentence 'The oxen pulls the heavy cart up the hill' is correct.

True

False

This is false. The irregular plural subject 'oxen' requires the plural verb form pull.

Explanation

This is false. The irregular plural subject 'oxen' requires the plural verb form pull.

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

The phenomena was amazing to watch.

The focus of the reports are the sales figures.

The two feet carries his weight easily.

The alumni meets for dinner every month.

A: 'Phenomena' is plural and takes were. B: 'Focus' is singular and takes is. C: 'Feet' is plural and takes carry.

Explanation

A: 'Phenomena' is plural and takes were. B: 'Focus' is singular and takes is. C: 'Feet' is plural and takes carry.

Submit

18. Which sentences correctly pair an irregular subject with its verb? (Select all that apply)

The crises was resolved through negotiation.

The person goes to the market every morning.

The people gather in the town square for the festival.

One thesis explores the role of art in society.

B, C, and D are all correct agreements. (A: 'Crises' is plural and takes were.)

Explanation

B, C, and D are all correct agreements. (A: 'Crises' is plural and takes were.)

Submit

19. Which sentences use correct subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply)

The teeth needs to be cleaned by the dentist.

All the sheep are grazing in the meadow.

The women volunteer at the shelter every week.

The foot hurt after the long hike.

Sheep' is plural and takes 'are grazing.' 'Women' is plural and takes 'volunteer.' (A: 'teeth' requires 'need.' D: 'foot' is singular and takes 'hurts.')

Explanation

Sheep' is plural and takes 'are grazing.' 'Women' is plural and takes 'volunteer.' (A: 'teeth' requires 'need.' D: 'foot' is singular and takes 'hurts.')

Submit

20. The noun 'data' (plural of datum) always requires a plural verb, as in 'The data are conclusive.'

True

False

This is false. While traditionally plural, 'data' is widely used and accepted as a singular noun, as in 'The data is conclusive.'

Explanation

This is false. While traditionally plural, 'data' is widely used and accepted as a singular noun, as in 'The data is conclusive.'

Tricky Agreement: Subject-Verb Agreement with Irregular Countable Plurals Quiz

1. Choose the correct verb: 'The mice in the field ___ quickly.' (run/runs)

2. Choose the correct verb: 'The dentist checked the patient's gaps between their teeth.' (was/were)

3. Choose the correct verb: 'The headquarters of the company ___ located in London.' (is/are)

4. Question: The plural noun lice requires the plural verb form. Fill in the blank: 'The lice _______ spreading quickly in the coop.' (was/were)

5. Question: The plural noun geese requires the plural verb form. Fill in the blank: 'The geese _______ overhead.' (flies/fly)

6. Choose the correct verb: 'A large group of women ___ running a marathon this weekend.' (is/are)

7. Choose the correct verb: 'The children ___ outside every day.' (plays/play)

8. The sentence 'Many people goes to the theater on weekends' is correct.

9. Question: The singular form is 'analysis.' The plural form analyses requires the plural verb form. Fill in the blank: 'The recent analyses _______ a clear pattern.' (show/shows)

10. Choose the correct verb: 'The herd of deer ___ carefully through the woods.' (walks/walk)

11. The sentence 'The media reports on the election every hour' is conventionally acceptable, treating 'media' as singular.

12. Choose the correct verb: 'The entire staff's focus ___ on quality assurance.' (is/are)

13. Question: The singular form is 'criterion.' The plural form criteria requires the plural verb form. Fill in the blank: 'The new criteria _______ difficult to meet.' (is/are)

14. Which sentences use correct subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply)

15. Choose the correct verb: 'The series of events ___ in the final scene of the play.' (culminates/culminate)

16. The sentence 'The oxen pulls the heavy cart up the hill' is correct.

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

18. Which sentences correctly pair an irregular subject with its verb? (Select all that apply)

19. Which sentences use correct subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply)

20. The noun 'data' (plural of datum) always requires a plural verb, as in 'The data are conclusive.'