SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT QUIZ

1.Carlos is the only one of those students who (has, have) __________ lived up to the potential described in
the yearbook.

- The 'who' refers, in this case, to 'the only one,' which is singular.

2. The International Club, as well as the Choral Society and the Rowing Club, (need, needs)__________ to
submit a new constitution.

- The subject here is 'The International Club,' which is singular. The modifying phrase that comes
after 'as well as' modifies the subject but does not compound it as the word 'and' would do.

3. One of my best friends (are, is) _____________ a millionaire.

- The subject of this sentence is 'one,' which is, of course, singular. Don't let the intervening
prepositional phrase (with its plural 'friends') fool you.

4. Not only the students but also their instructor (has, have) ________ been called to the principal's office.

- With paired conjunctions such as either ... or and not only ... but also, the subject closer to the verb -- in this
case, the singular 'instructor' -- determines whether the verb will be singular or plural.

5. Most of the milk (has, have)_____ gone bad.

- 'Most' is not a countable noun here (you can't count 'the milk' in the first sentence), so the verb must be
singular.

6. Each and every student and teacher in this building (hope, hopes) __________ for a new facility by next
year.

- The subject of the verb is 'each and every,' which is singular: the correct verb choice, then, is 'hopes.'

7. The students and instructors each (hope, hopes) ________for a new facility by next year.

- When 'each' or 'every' comes after the compound subject, a plural verb -- 'hope' -- is appropriate.

8. Rice and beans, my favorite dish, __________ (remind, reminds) me of my native Philippines.

- 'Rice and beans' is one dish, so we need a singular verb to agree with it.

9. Four years (are, is) _______ a long time to spend away from your friends and family.

- The quantity of 'four years' here is meant to be taken as a whole, as one quantity, so the verb should be
singular.

10. Politics (are, is) __________ sometimes a dirty business.

- 'Politics,' in this case, is one thing, so we need a singular verb.

1. Sally (run, runs) to the park every day.

2. The dogs (bark, barks,) at strangers.
3. Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies.
4. The game (was, were) exciting.
5. They (worry, worries) too much.
6. She (study, studies) every night.
7. Black or white (is, are) your choice.
8. That (was, were) incredible.
9. Those (is, are) pretty shoes.
10. The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.