Subject-agreement Test
20 Questions
| Attempts: 829
Identify the subject and choose the correct verb in each of the following sentence.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Five percent of the profits _________ to be distributed to the stockholders.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
A. IsExplanation
Fractions or percentage as subjects require the noun in the prepositional phrase following them to determine the verb number.Rate this question:
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- 2.
The news of the Philippine Election 2010 _________ been contentious.
- A.
Has
- B.
Have
Correct Answer
A. HasExplanation
Some subjects, while in plural form e.g. news, function as singular.Rate this question:
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- 3.
My entire supply of checks __________ missing.
- A.
Was
- B.
Were
Correct Answer
A. Was -
- 4.
The data ______ published by the government.
- A.
Was
- B.
Were
Correct Answer
B. WereExplanation
Data is the plural noun of "datum" and should take plural form of the verb.Rate this question:
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- 5.
None of the salemen _____________ to help me.
- A.
Want
- B.
Wants
Correct Answer
A. WantExplanation
"None" is a variable indefinite pronoun (sometimes singular or sometimes plural depending on what follows them in a prepositional phrase.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Each of the loans ______ been recalled by the bank.
- A.
Has
- B.
Have
Correct Answer
A. HasExplanation
"Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun. This requires singular form of the verb.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The rangers, the explorers, or the camper _________ the bear.
- A.
See
- B.
Sses
Correct Answer
B. Sses -
- 8.
The statistics _________ that the candidate will win.
- A.
Show
- B.
Shows
Correct Answer
A. ShowExplanation
"Statistics" speaks about individual pieces of information. In this case, we apply the same rule as applies to group nouns when we consider the individual members within the group. With this, we use a plural verb.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Some of the debts ________ are still outstanding.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
B. Are -
- 10.
The jeep with many passengers ________ speeding around the curve.
- A.
Was
- B.
Were
Correct Answer
A. WasExplanation
"Car" is the subject. "Was" is the singular helping verb which agrees with subject.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Anyone who sees his or her friends ____ to greet them.
- A.
Run
- B.
Runs
Correct Answer
B. Runs -
- 12.
There___ a books on the table.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
B. AreExplanation
The subject "books" is plural, the verb is also plural.Rate this question:
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- 13.
How _____ the flowers grown this quickly?
- A.
Has
- B.
Have
Correct Answer
B. Have -
- 14.
The team __________ turned in their uniforms for the season.
- A.
Has
- B.
Have
Correct Answer
B. HaveExplanation
Collective nouns such as "team" can be viewed as singular or plural depending on the meaning expressed.Rate this question:
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- 15.
My family ____ never been able to agree.
- A.
Has
- B.
Have
Correct Answer
A. HasExplanation
Collective nouns such as "team" can be viewed as singular or plural depending on the meaning expressed.Rate this question:
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- 16.
The crew _____ preparing to dock the ship.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
B. AreExplanation
This sentence is referring to the individual efforts of each crew member. In this case, a sentence may call for the use of a plural verb when using a collective noun.Rate this question:
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- 17.
A high percentage of the population _________ voting for the new school.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
A. IsExplanation
"Percentage" is a mathematical proportion, expressing here a singular lump sum.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Three-quarters of the student body __________ against the tuition hike.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
A. IsExplanation
Three quarters of the student body represents a lump sum, a singular entity.Rate this question:
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- 19.
The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring _____ more than just a nuisance.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
B. AreExplanation
The subject is tornadoes. You were not confused by the words and phrases that came between the subject and its verb.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Twenty-four years _____ a long time to work at a single job.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
A. IsExplanation
Nouns express quantities of amount- time, money, weight, length, etc.- require singular verbs when thought of as a unit.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Jan 15, 2013Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
May 13, 2010Quiz Created by
Rhamylle13
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