Subject/Verb Agreement And Run-ons, Fragments, And Comma Splices
This quiz is on subject/verb agreement and sentence structure. It helps students to practice choosing the correct verb in a sentence and using the correct punctuation
- 1.
_____________my boss or my sisters in the union going to win this grievance?
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
A. IsExplanation
When or is used between two subjects, you choose the closest subject in order to decide if the verb should be singular or pluralRate this question:
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- 2.
Some of the votes __________________________to have been miscounted.
- A.
Seem
- B.
Seems
Correct Answer
A. SeemExplanation
Ignore the prepositional phrase in order to find your subject and verb. Also, the indefinite pronoun some can be singular or plural; you have to look at the word that it is referring to ---votes--to decide if you need a singular or plural verb.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring ____________more than just a nuisance.
- A.
Are
- B.
Is
Correct Answer
A. AreExplanation
ignore the dependent clause in the sentence to find your subject and verbRate this question:
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- 4.
Kara Wolters, together with her teammates, _________a formidable opponent on the basketball court.
- A.
Presents
- B.
Present
Correct Answer
A. PresentsExplanation
Ignore the words within the commas to make your subject and verb agree.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Everybody _______ welcome at the skating party.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
A. IsExplanation
Remember that the word everybody is an indefinite pronoun. Indefinite pronouns with the words--body, one, or thing in them are singular and use a singular verb.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Many of my friends __________good skaters.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
B. AreExplanation
Remember--
Ignore the prepositional phrase between your subject and verb
Many is a plural indefinite pronoun.Rate this question:
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- 7.
All of us _______________the music at the skating rink.
- A.
Enjoys
- B.
Enjoy
Correct Answer
B. EnjoyExplanation
Ignore the prepositional phrase.
All is an indefinite pronoun and can be singular or plural. You have to find the word that all is referring to and see if it is singular or plural.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Most of the music__________________popular dance music.
- A.
Is
- B.
Are
Correct Answer
A. IsExplanation
Ignore the prepositional phrase to find the subject and verb.
Most is an indefinite pronoun that can be either singular or plural. Find the word that it is referring to and decide if it is singular or plural.Rate this question:
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- 9.
I hope nobody ______________to bring skates.
- A.
Forgets
- B.
Forget
Correct Answer
A. ForgetsExplanation
Nobody is a singular indefinite pronoun (remember indefinite pronouns that have the words--body, one and thing are singular).
An-s- is added to make a singular action verb in present tense.Rate this question:
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- 10.
One of my brothers _____________ tomatoes every year.
- A.
Plants
- B.
Plant
Correct Answer
A. PlantsExplanation
One is a singular indefinite pronoun (remember indefinite pronouns that have the words--body, one and thing are singular).
An-s- is added to make a singular action verb in present tense.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which sentence below is correct?
- A.
Our town has four restaurants only one is open at 7:00am.
- B.
Our town has four restaurants, only one is open at 7:00am.
- C.
Our town has four restaurants; only one, is open at 7:00am.
- D.
Our town has four restaurants; only one is open at 7:00am.
- E.
Only one is open at 7:00am, our town has four restaurants.
Correct Answer
D. Our town has four restaurants; only one is open at 7:00am.Explanation
The correct answer is "Our town has four restaurants; only one is open at 7:00am." This sentence correctly uses proper punctuation and grammar to convey the intended meaning. It clearly states that there are four restaurants in the town, but only one of them is open at 7:00am.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which sentence below is correct?
- A.
Look through the window you can see the mountain peaks in the distance.
- B.
If you look through the window, you can see the mountain peaks in the distance.
- C.
Look through the window, you can see the mountain peaks in the distance.
- D.
You can see the mountain peaks in the distance, look through the window.
Correct Answer
B. If you look through the window, you can see the mountain peaks in the distance.Explanation
The correct answer is "If you look through the window, you can see the mountain peaks in the distance." This sentence follows the correct structure of a conditional sentence, with the "if" clause at the beginning and the main clause following it. It also uses the correct verb tense and punctuation.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Which sentence below is correct?
- A.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter however in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
- B.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter, however, in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
- C.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter however, in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
- D.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter; however in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
- E.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter; however, in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
Correct Answer
E. Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter; however, in the summer he'll take a brief jog.Explanation
The correct answer is "Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter; however, in the summer he'll take a brief jog." This sentence uses proper punctuation by placing a semicolon before the word "however" and a comma after it. The semicolon helps to separate two independent clauses, while the comma is used to set off the transitional word "however" to indicate a contrast between the two clauses.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which sentence below is correct?
- A.
We've done all that we can here pack up the supplies.
- B.
We've done all that we can here, pack up the supplies.
- C.
Pack up the supplies, we've done all that we can here.
- D.
We've done all that we can here; pack up the supplies.
Correct Answer
D. We've done all that we can here; pack up the supplies.Explanation
The correct answer is "We've done all that we can here; pack up the supplies." This sentence correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses. The first clause "We've done all that we can here" stands alone as a complete sentence, and the second clause "pack up the supplies" also stands alone as a complete sentence. The semicolon indicates a stronger connection between the two clauses than a period would, emphasizing the relationship between the two actions.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Which one is NOT a sentence fragment?
- A.
Although it was a more difficult test than the students had ever taken.
- B.
We decided to study before we went out to the party.
- C.
Her ability to remember details, after all, not what is used to be.
Correct Answer
B. We decided to study before we went out to the party.Explanation
The correct answer is "We decided to study before we went out to the party." This is not a sentence fragment because it contains a subject ("We") and a predicate ("decided to study before we went out to the party"). It is a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Which one is NOT a sentence fragment?
- A.
Sand piling up along the beach.
- B.
She wanted to use a shovel to dig a hole in the ground.
- C.
However, who wanted to be the winner of the contest.
Correct Answer
B. She wanted to use a shovel to dig a hole in the ground.Explanation
The sentence "She wanted to use a shovel to dig a hole in the ground." is not a sentence fragment because it contains a subject (she) and a verb (wanted to use, dig). It also expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Which one is NOT a sentence fragment?
- A.
Bobby receiving more than sixty boxes of donations this year.
- B.
Leaving for Florida soon.
- C.
Since Susan hasn't seen the dentist, her teeth are rotten.
Correct Answer
C. Since Susan hasn't seen the dentist, her teeth are rotten.Explanation
The correct answer is "Since Susan hasn't seen the dentist, her teeth are rotten." This is not a sentence fragment because it contains a subject (Susan) and a predicate (hasn't seen the dentist, her teeth are rotten) and expresses a complete thought. The other options, "Bobby receiving more than sixty boxes of donations this year" and "Leaving for Florida soon," are sentence fragments because they lack a subject or a complete predicate.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Select the answer that correctly completes each group of words to form a sentence or sentences. The best way to get to Columbus, Ohio is to take the highway __________ is no point in taking an airplane these days.
- A.
, there;
- B.
, there
- C.
. There
- D.
There
Correct Answer
C. . ThereExplanation
The correct answer is "There". This answer completes the sentence by indicating that the best way to get to Columbus, Ohio is to take the highway because there is no point in taking an airplane these days.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Select the answer that correctly completes each group of words to form a sentence or sentences. Having a car allows you to get places quickly _______________ don't have to ask your parents for a ride.
- A.
So you,
- B.
So you;
- C.
, so you,
- D.
, so you
Correct Answer
D. , so youExplanation
Having a car allows you to get places quickly, so you don't have to ask your parents for a ride. The phrase ", so you" completes the sentence by indicating the result or consequence of having a car. It implies that because you have a car, you no longer need to rely on your parents for transportation.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Select the answer that correctly completes each group of words to form a sentence or sentences. Normally, I wouldn't spend time with elves and fairies ___________ are so fascinating.
- A.
But; they
- B.
But. They
- C.
, but they
- D.
But they,
Correct Answer
C. , but theyExplanation
The correct answer is ", but they". This answer completes the sentence by introducing a contrasting statement after the word "but". The sentence suggests that the speaker wouldn't normally spend time with elves and fairies, but they are fascinating enough to make an exception.Rate this question:
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- 21.
What does the following sentence need?Planning on getting married for over a year.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction or semicolon.
Correct Answer
C. The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.Explanation
The given sentence "Planning on getting married for over a year" is a dependent clause because it does not have a subject and a verb to form a complete sentence. It is missing a main clause to provide the necessary information for it to be a complete sentence. Therefore, it cannot stand alone as a sentence.Rate this question:
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- 22.
What does the following sentence need?Laughing that hard made my stomach hurt, I had to sit down.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction.
Correct Answer
D. The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction.Explanation
The given sentence "Laughing that hard made my stomach hurt, I had to sit down" is a run-on or comma splice because it contains two independent clauses ("Laughing that hard made my stomach hurt" and "I had to sit down") separated by a comma without a conjunction. A conjunction such as "so" or "therefore" is needed to join the two clauses and make the sentence grammatically correct.Rate this question:
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- 23.
What does the following sentence need?Until I receive confirmation that you have enrolled in classes this semester.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction.
Correct Answer
B. The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.Explanation
The given sentence "Until I receive confirmation that you have enrolled in classes this semester" is a dependent clause because it starts with the subordinating conjunction "Until" and does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it lacks a subject and a verb. Therefore, it needs to be combined with an independent clause to form a complete sentence.Rate this question:
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- 24.
What does the following sentence need?Pauline yelled at the boy teetering on the bridge he fell in.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction.
Correct Answer
D. The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction.Explanation
The given sentence "Pauline yelled at the boy teetering on the bridge he fell in" is a run-on or comma splice because it contains two independent clauses that are not properly connected. The first independent clause is "Pauline yelled at the boy teetering on the bridge" and the second independent clause is "he fell in." To correct this run-on sentence, a conjunction should be used to connect the two independent clauses, such as "Pauline yelled at the boy teetering on the bridge, and he fell in."Rate this question:
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- 25.
What does the following sentence need?Bobby is pleased with the purchase he made earlier in the day.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction.
Correct Answer
A. The sentence is correct.Explanation
The given sentence "Bobby is pleased with the purchase he made earlier in the day" is grammatically correct and does not require any changes. It is a complete sentence with a subject (Bobby) and a verb (is pleased), and it conveys a clear meaning. Therefore, the correct answer is that the sentence is correct.Rate this question:
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