Subject-Verb Agreement — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The rabbit hop across the garden every morning.
Corrected: The rabbit hops across the garden every morning.
"The rabbit" is a singular subject, so the verb needs an -s ending. "Hops" matches a singular subject, while "hop" would only work with a plural subject like "the rabbits."
2. Fix the sentence:
The stars in the sky shines very brightly at night.
Corrected: The stars in the sky shine very brightly at night.
"The stars" is a plural subject, so the verb should be "shine" without the -s. Adding -s to the verb ("shines") would only be correct with a singular subject like "the star."
3. Fix the sentence:
My cousins was at the swimming pool yesterday.
Corrected: My cousins were at the swimming pool yesterday.
"My cousins" is plural, so it needs "were" instead of "was." You use "was" with singular subjects like "my cousin," but "were" goes with plural subjects.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The squirrel hides nuts under the big oak tree.
"The squirrel" is one squirrel, so it is singular. Singular subjects need a verb with -s, making "hides" the correct choice instead of "hide."
2. My brothers play soccer at the park after lunch.
"My brothers" is plural because it means more than one brother. Plural subjects use the base form of the verb, so "play" is correct without the -s.
3. The librarian puts new books on the shelf each week.
"The librarian" is one person, making it singular. Singular subjects take a verb ending in -s, so "puts" is correct rather than "put."
4. Those trucks are very loud when they drive past our house.
"Those trucks" is plural because it refers to more than one truck. Plural subjects use "are" instead of "is" when you need a linking verb.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. The sentence "He walk to school" uses the correct verb form.
True False
"He" is a singular subject, so the verb needs an -s ending. The correct sentence should be "He walks to school" because singular subjects pair with verbs that end in -s.
2. The word "were" goes with plural subjects like "they" or "the cats."
True False
"Were" is the plural past-tense form of "to be." You say "they were" or "the cats were" because those are plural subjects, while "was" goes with singular subjects like "he" or "the cat."
3. The sentence "The birds flies south" has correct subject-verb agreement.
True False
"The birds" is plural, so it should pair with "fly" (no -s), not "flies." The correct sentence is "The birds fly south."