Subject-Verb Agreement Test Questions with Answer Key for Grade 6

📚 Quick Study Guide: Subject-Verb Agreement for Grade 6

• 🎯 The Golden Rule: A subject and its verb must always agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
• 🔢 Singular vs. Plural:
  • ✨ Singular Subject: Takes a singular verb (usually ends in -s or -es in the present tense for third person). Example: "She sings beautifully."
  • 👥 Plural Subject: Takes a plural verb (usually without -s or -es in the present tense). Example: "They sing beautifully."
• 🧐 Beware of Prepositional Phrases: Words in a phrase between the subject and the verb do NOT affect the verb's agreement. Example: "The box of chocolates is empty." (Subject is 'box', not 'chocolates').
• 🤝 Compound Subjects:
  • ➕ When two or more subjects are joined by "and," they usually take a plural verb. Example: "Tom and Jerry are friends."
  • ⚖️ When two or more subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Example: "Neither the students nor the teacher is ready."
• ❓ Indefinite Pronouns:
  • ✅ Always Singular: Each, every, either, neither, anyone, anybody, anything, no one, nobody, nothing, someone, somebody, something, everyone, everybody, everything. Example: "Everyone is here."
  • ✔️ Can Be Singular or Plural: Some, any, none, all, most (depends on the noun they refer to). Example: "Some of the water is gone." vs. "Some of the students are here."
• 💡 Collective Nouns: Nouns like "team," "family," "audience" can be singular or plural depending on whether they act as a single unit or as individuals. For Grade 6, generally treat them as singular unless context clearly implies individual actions. Example: "The team is winning."

📝 Practice Quiz

1. The cat and dog _______ playing in the yard.
   A) is
   B) are
   C) was
   D) has
2. Each of the students _______ a textbook.
   A) have
   B) having
   C) has
   D) are having
3. My favorite subject _______ history.
   A) are
   B) is
   C) were
   D) be
4. Neither Sarah nor her brothers _______ to watch the movie.
   A) wants
   B) want
   C) wanting
   D) is wanting
5. A flock of birds _______ flying south for the winter.
   A) are
   B) were
   C) is
   D) have
6. Many people _______ that the new park is beautiful.
   A) believes
   B) believing
   C) believe
   D) is believing
7. The main problem with the cars _______ their old engines.
   A) is
   B) are
   C) were
   D) be