Subject Verb Agreement
Speed Review Game
Share:
A2
- Title: Subject-Verb Agreement Speed RunQuestions:
- Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: She ____ to the store every Saturday.Options:
- walks
- walk
- walking
- walked
Answer: walksExplanation: With singular subjects like 'She', use the verb ending in -s. - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: They ____ playing soccer right now.Options:
- are
- is
- am
- be
Answer: areExplanation: With plural subjects like 'They', use 'are'. - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: My brother ____ have a car.Options:
- doesn't
- don't
- isn't
- aren't
Answer: doesn'tExplanation: For singular subjects (My brother), use 'doesn't' for negatives. - Category: Compound SubjectsQuestion: Salt and pepper ____ on the table.Options:
- are
- is
- was
- be
Answer: areExplanation: Two subjects joined by 'and' (Salt and pepper) are plural. - Category: Indefinite PronounsQuestion: Everyone ____ excited for the party.Options:
- is
- are
- were
- have
Answer: isExplanation: 'Everyone' is singular, so it takes the singular verb 'is'. - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: The dog ____ loudly at night.Options:
- barks
- bark
- barking
- barked
Answer: barksExplanation: The subject 'dog' is singular, so add -s to the verb. - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: We ____ going to the movies tonight.Options:
- are
- is
- am
- be
Answer: areExplanation: 'We' is a plural subject and requires 'are'. - Category: Intervening PhrasesQuestion: The box of chocolates ____ on the shelf.Options:
- is
- are
- were
- have
Answer: isExplanation: The subject is 'box' (singular), not 'chocolates'. So, use 'is'. - Category: There is / There areQuestion: There ____ many people in the park.Options:
- are
- is
- was
- be
Answer: areExplanation: 'People' is plural, so we use 'There are'. - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: He ____ English very well.Options:
- speaks
- speak
- speaking
- spoken
Answer: speaksExplanation: He is singular (3rd person), so the verb needs an -s. - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: I ____ a student at this school.Options:
- am
- is
- are
- be
Answer: amExplanation: The subject 'I' always pairs with 'am'. - Category: NegativesQuestion: You ____ look happy today.Options:
- don't
- doesn't
- isn't
- aren't
Answer: don'tExplanation: 'You' takes 'do not' or 'don't'. - Category: Indefinite PronounsQuestion: Somebody ____ left their bag here.Options:
- has
- have
- is
- are
Answer: hasExplanation: 'Somebody' is singular, so use 'has'. - Category: Compound SubjectsQuestion: My mom and dad ____ dinner together.Options:
- eat
- eats
- eating
- eaten
Answer: eatExplanation: Two people (mom and dad) make a plural subject, so use the base verb 'eat'. - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: The cat ____ on the sofa.Options:
- sleeps
- sleep
- sleeping
- slept
Answer: sleepsExplanation: The singular subject 'cat' requires the verb 'sleeps'. - Category: There is / There areQuestion: There ____ a book on the desk.Options:
- is
- are
- were
- have
Answer: isExplanation: 'A book' is singular, so we use 'There is'. - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: The students ____ to the teacher.Options:
- listen
- listens
- listening
- listened
Answer: listenExplanation: 'Students' is plural, so use the base form 'listen'. - Category: QuestionsQuestion: ____ she like ice cream?Options:
- Does
- Do
- Is
- Are
Answer: DoesExplanation: For questions with 'she', start with 'Does'. - Category: Intervening PhrasesQuestion: The key to the doors ____ in my pocket.Options:
- is
- are
- were
- have
Answer: isExplanation: The subject is 'key' (singular), not 'doors'. Use 'is'. - Category: Either / OrQuestion: Either John or his friends ____ coming.Options:
- are
- is
- was
- be
Answer: areExplanation: With 'or', the verb agrees with the closer subject ('friends' is plural). - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: Sarah ____ her homework every day.Options:
- does
- do
- doing
- done
Answer: doesExplanation: Sarah is singular, so she 'does' homework. - Category: Basic AgreementQuestion: Birds ____ in the sky.Options:
- fly
- flies
- flying
- flew
Answer: flyExplanation: 'Birds' is plural, so use the base verb 'fly'. - Category: Collective NounsQuestion: The team ____ winning the game.Options:
- is
- are
- have
- am
Answer: isExplanation: In American English, collective nouns like 'team' usually take a singular verb. - Category: QuestionsQuestion: Where ____ your parents live?Options:
- do
- does
- is
- are
Answer: doExplanation: 'Parents' is plural, so use 'do' in the question. - Category: QuantifiersQuestion: All of the cake ____ gone.Options:
- is
- are
- were
- have
Answer: isExplanation: 'Cake' is uncountable/singular here, so 'is' is correct.
1. THE GOLDEN RULE (3rd Person)
Match the verb to the noun count.
- SINGULAR (He / She / It / The Dog)
- Rule: The verb needs an -S.
- [Icon: Single Person] -> is / has / does / walks
- Example: She sleeps. The cat is hungry.
- PLURAL (We / They / The Dogs)
- Rule: The verb has NO -S (Base form).
- [Icon: Group of People] -> are / have / do / walk
- Example: They sleep. The cats are hungry.
2. THE EXCEPTIONS: "I" & "YOU"
- "I" (First Person)
- Rule: Always takes am (be verb) or the base verb.
- Example: I am a student. I play soccer.
- "YOU" (Second Person)
- Rule: Always treated as PLURAL.
- Example: You are nice. You don't look tired.
3. COMPOUND SUBJECTS (And vs. Or)
- Joined by "AND" (+)
- Rule: "A and B" together equal a PLURAL subject.
- Example: Mom and Dad eat dinner.
- Joined by "OR / NOR" (<->)
- Rule: The verb agrees with the CLOSEST subject.
- Example: Either John or his friends are coming.
4. TRICKY SINGULARS
- Indefinite Pronouns
- Rule: Words ending in -one, -body, or -thing are always SINGULAR.
- Example: Everyone is happy. Somebody has the answer.
- Collective Nouns
- Rule: Groups acting as one unit are usually SINGULAR. (Team, Family, Class).
- Example: The team is winning the game.
5. DON'T GET DISTRACTED!
- Intervening Phrases
- Rule: Ignore phrases that come between the subject and the verb. Find the main noun.
- Example: The box [of chocolates] is on the shelf. (The subject is box, not chocolates).
6. "THERE IS" vs. "THERE ARE"
- Look Ahead
- Rule: The subject comes after the verb.
- Example (Singular): There is a book.
- Example (Plural): There are many people.
Recommended for You
A1
Verb 'To Be' (Present Simple)
A1 - Use the verb to be to describe people, things, and feelings.
GRAMMAR HEARTS
Gerund or Infinitive
The choice between the -ing form (gerund) and the infinitive (to + verb) often depends on the main verb that precedes it. While it can feel like a game of memorization, there are several patterns and "rules of thumb" that make the logic clearer.
SPEED REVIEW
Vocabulary Speed Run: History & Culture
Earn points for speed and accuracy.
SPEED REVIEW