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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The variation between seasons are caused by the tilt of the planet; summer happens where sunlight is hitting the earth more directly. No error.
happens
variation between
are caused
more directly
No error.
are caused
In this sentence, the plural verb “are” does not agree with its singular subject “variation.” The corrected sentence reads, "The variation between seasons is caused by the tilt of the planet; summer happens where sunlight is hitting the earth more directly."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The president of the college, along with other members of the board, make decisions regarding the college's finances, its mission, and its education policy. No error.
along with
regarding
No error.
finances, mission, and education policy
make decisions
make decisions
The subject of this sentence is “the president,” which is singular. The other members of the board are just added information. The verb “make” should agree with a singular subject. The corrected sentence reads: "The president of the college, along with other members of the board, makes decisions regarding the college's finances, its mission, and its education policy."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Cooking is not often considered a fine art, but the creation of delicious meals that balance flavors require a real sense of artistry. No error.
No error.
is not often considered
but the creation
sense of artistry
require
require
In this sentence, the verb “require” should agree in number with its subject “creation.” Here, it incorrectly agrees with “flavors.” The corrected sentence reads, "Cooking is not often considered a fine art, but the creation of delicious meals that balance flavors requires a real sense of artistry."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The ash trees that line the long driveway up to the mansion is diseased and likely to die soon. No error.
is diseased
that
No error.
up to
soon
is diseased
This sentence has a problem with subject-verb agreement. The subject “trees” is plural, but the verb “is” is singular. The corrected sentence reads: "The ash trees that line the long driveway up to the mansion are diseased and likely to die soon."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The agencies collaborating on the investigation is preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press. No error.
their findings
is preparing
No error.
to
collaborating on
is preparing
In this sentence, the verb “is preparing” does not match its plural subject “agencies.” The corrected sentence reads, "The agencies collaborating on the investigation are preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Purple glitter and a mysterious odor often signifies the presence of Peruvian Sea Slugs, animals that are both rare and beautiful. No error.
signifies
No error.
both rare and beautiful
often
animals that are
signifies
The verb “signifies” should match in number with the compound subject, “purple glitter and a mysterious odor.” For a plural subject, “signify” would be correct. The corrected sentence reads, "Purple glitter and a mysterious odor often signify the presence of Peruvian Sea Slugs, animals that are both rare and beautiful."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The glaring sun, the intense music, and the actor's solemn speech combines to form an overdramatic effect. No error.
No error.
an overdramatic effect
combines
the actor's
glaring
combines
The subject of this sentence is compound and plural, but the verb agrees with a singular subject. The corrected sentence reads, "The glaring sun, the intense music, and the actor's solemn speech combine to form an overdramatic effect."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The accusation that the new neighbors stole my family's container gardens are a blatant lie. No error.
stole
No error.
blatant
gardens are
The accusation that
gardens are
In this sentence, the main verb "are" agrees with a plural subject. However, its subject is singular: "the accusation." The corrected sentence reads, "The accusation that the new neighbors stole my family's container gardens is a blatant lie."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The railroad between the towns of Greensburg and Rodbury were destroyed in the alien invasion last week. No error.
Greensburg and Rodbury
No error.
were destroyed
last week
between
were destroyed
The verb “were” agrees with a plural noun, but here its subject is the singular noun “railroad.” The corrected sentence reads, "The railroad between the towns of Greensburg and Rodbury was destroyed in the alien invasion last week."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The rich and the famous often eats in the fancy restaurants on Main Street. No error.
eats
fancy restaurants
No error.
often
and the famous
eats
The subject “The rich and the famous” refers to many people, and should be treated as a plural subject. However, the verb “eats” agrees with a singular subject. The corrected sentence would read, "The rich and the famous often eat in the fancy restaurants on Main Street."
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