Peterson Chapter 4 ( Simple Subject Errors)

All of the pack is involved in any nighttime hunt, and every wolf shares in the benefits of the prey. Possible Answers: All of the pack is All the pack is The pack all is The pack are All of the pack are

Correct answer: All of the pack are Explanation: The underlined portion has a very simple error, as "all" is a plural noun, and needs a plural form as the subject of the sentence. "The pack" is singular, but is not the subject of the sentence as it is written. The correct answer is "All of the pack are."

Every night for five straight nights were well below freezing. Possible Answers: Every night for five straight nights was well below freezing. Every night for five nights straight were well below freezing. Each night for five straight nights were well below freezing. Every night for five straight nights were well below freezing. Each of the nights for five straight nights were well below freezing.

Correct answer: Every night for five straight nights was well below freezing. Explanation: The issue with the sentence as it is written is that the subject of the sentence, "every night," is singular, but the verb "were" is plural. The subject and the verb must agree. The correct answer is "Every night for five straight nights was well below freezing."

Every one of the kids like their new teacher, who arrived in the middle of the semester. Possible Answers: Every one of the kids like there new teacher Every one of the kids like their new teacher Every one of the kids likes their new teacher Every one kids like their new teacher Every one of the kids liking their new teacher

Correct answer: Every one of the kids likes their new teacher Explanation: The verb used in the sentence, "like," is a plural form, but the subject of the sentence is actually a singular form, "Every one." A subject and verb must always be in agreement. "Every one of the kids likes their new teacher" is the only answer choice to have appropriate subject-verb agreement.

Traveling can be both fun and stressful. If you leaves the country, you should always keep your passport with you. A domestic trip may be more palatable to the xenophobic. However, even a short road trip can be scarier than staying at home. People would be wise to simply treat them to a movie. Possible Answers: If we leaves the country, you should always keeps your passport with you. If you leave the country, you should always keep your passport with you. If he leaves the country, you should always keep your passport with you. NO CHANGE If you will leaves the country, you should always keep your passport with you.

Correct answer: If you leave the country, you should always keep your passport with you. Explanation: The correct answer has verb noun agreement between the noun "you" and the verb "leave." There is verb noun agreement in the answer containing "If he leaves the country." However, the pronoun "he" changes the meaning of the sentence.

The common goose is one type of bird that flies south for the winter. Possible Answers: NO CHANGE birds that flies birds that fly bird that fly birds that are flying

Correct answer: NO CHANGE Explanation: The original word choice is the only noun-verb pairing that correctly pairs the singular "type" with the underlined portion. Remember: all connected nouns in a name or clause must match, either singular or plural.

There was a team of ice skaters gathered in the hotel lobby earlier today. Possible Answers: is NO CHANGE were are has been

Correct answer: NO CHANGE Explanation: "A team" is singular, so we need to pick out a singular verb. We also need that verb to be in the past tense so that it matches the past tense verb "gathered" that appears later in the sentence and makes sense given the phrase "earlier today." The verb that is written in the sentence as-is, "was," is the only answer choice that fulfills both of these criteria, so "NO CHANGE" is the correct answer.

One of the boys are coming over to help build the model car. Possible Answers: One of the boys are coming over One of the boys is coming over One of the boys is came over One boy comes over One of the boys are came over

Correct answer: One of the boys is coming over Explanation: The problem with the sentence is that the verb "are" is a plural form, but is matched with "One," a singular noun, even though "boys" is the closest word to the verb in the sentence. The correct answer is "One of the boys is coming over."

One of the boys were always coming late to class, but it was always a different one each day. Possible Answers: One of the boys were always coming late for class One of the boys were always came late to class One of the boys was always coming late to class One of the boys were always come late to class One of the boys were always coming late to class

Correct answer: One of the boys was always coming late to class Explanation: The use of "were" is incorrect in this sentence, as the subject is "one," a singular noun. Even though "were" is next to the word "boys," it needs to be a singular verb form. "One of the boys was always coming late to class" is the only answer choice that uses the correct verb form.

One of the children were late in joining the group for the trip. Possible Answers: One of the children were later in joining One of the children were late in joining One of the children were lately in joining One of the children was late in joining One of the children were late to join

Correct answer: One of the children was late in joining Explanation: Although the plural verb "were" is next to the plural noun "children," the subject of the sentence is the singular "one." A subject and verb in a sentence must always be in agreement regarding number (whether a noun is singular or plural). Therefore, the correct answer choice is "One of the children was late in joining."

Some of the soldiers is still missing years after the war is over. Possible Answers: Some of the soldiers are still missing Some of the soldiers is still missing Some soldiers is still missing Some soldiers miss Some of the soldier missing

Correct answer: Some of the soldiers are still missing Explanation: The use of the phrase "Some of the" always indicates a plural, even when referring to small slice of a larger group. The verb tense for "is" then needs to be changed into a plural form. "Some of the soldiers are still missing," is the correct answer choice.

The boys in the class hates the movie. Possible Answers: A boys in the class hates the movie. The boys in the class hates the movie. The boys in the class hate the movie. The boys in the class is hating the movie. The boys in the class hating the movie.

Correct answer: The boys in the class hate the movie. Explanation: Although the verb "hates," which is used with singular nouns, is next to the singular noun "class," the subject of the sentence is the plural noun "boys." The verb needs to be changed to its plural form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "The boys in the class hate the movie."

The new bylaws of the organization was ratified by a unanimous vote yesterday. Possible Answers: The newer bylaws of the organization was The new bylaws for the organization was The new bylaws of the organization were The new bylaws from the organization was The new bylaws of the organization was

Correct answer: The new bylaws of the organization were Explanation: While the singular verb "was" is next to the singular noun "organization," the subject of the sentence is the plural noun "bylaws." This means that the verb "was" needs to be changed to a plural form; therefore, "The new bylaws of the organization were" is the correct answer choice.

The number of physics principles on tomorrow's exam are too much for me to remember. Possible Answers: The number of physics principles on tomorrows' exam are too much for me to remember. The number of physics principles on tomorrow's exam is too much for me to remember. The number of physics principles on tomorrow's exam are too much for me to remember. The number of physics principles on tomorrow's exam are too much of me to remember. The number of physics principles on tomorrow's exam are much too much for me to remember.

Correct answer: The number of physics principles on tomorrow's exam is too much for me to remember. Explanation: Here, there is a subject-verb agreement problem. The subject is "number", which is singular. The verb "are" does not match up with "number" because it is plural. We need to say "number...is".

There is no players in the league who would be comfortable in such a situation. Possible Answers: There's no players They're no players There is not players There are no players There is no players

Correct answer: There are no players Explanation: The underlined phrase has an incorrect use of the verb "is," as the subject, "players," is a plural form. The verb needs to be similarly plural. "There are no players" is the correct answer choice.

The boy, among many friends, celebrate his birthday in lavish style. Possible Answers: celebrates is celebrated having been celebrated is celebrate celebrate

Correct answer: celebrates Explanation: The subject of the sentence is singular, "the boy," and not the plural "many friends," meaning the verb needs to be singular as well. Additionally, the sentence must keep the same meaning, that they boy is doing the celebrating. "Celebrates" is the correct answer choice.

When does the restaurant closes after dinner? Possible Answers: close closing will close closes should close

Correct answer: close Explanation: Because the subject, "restaurant," is singular, the verb must be be singular as well. The verb and the subject in a sentence must always agree with each other.

Autocratic styles of leadership frequently annoys the people who must work under such leaders. Possible Answers: frequent annoys frequent annoy frequently annoy frequently annoys frequented annoying

Correct answer: frequently annoy Explanation: The verb "annoy" is used with the subject "styles," although the prepositional phrase "of leadership" and the adverb "frequently" come between the two words. Therefore, the verb form must take a plural form to match the subject. "Styles...frequently annoy" is the correct answer form.

The youngest girl among the students have dark hair. Possible Answers: have dark hairs. has dark hair. have darker hair. have dark hair. has darkest hairs.

Correct answer: has dark hair. Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "youngest girl," a singular noun. Although the verb is next to the plural "students," a plural, the verb form must be a singular verb. Additionally, a superlative need a comparison to be used appropriately, making "has dark hair" the correct answer choice.

The number of students chosen for the community service award have more than doubled in the past fifteen years. Possible Answers: has more than doubled have been more than doubling were doubled has been more than doubling NO CHANGE

Correct answer: has more than doubled Explanation: The underlined portion of this sentence is referring to "the number of students," a single subject—"students" is not the subject that needs to match the verb in number; it is the object of the preposition "of." The subject is "number." Try taking out all the extra information between the subject ("number") and the verb phrase ("have more than doubled"), and you will be able to see more clearly that the singular "has" is needed in this case. If you take out this information, the sentence reads, "The number have more than doubled," which is incorrect. There is no need for the "has been doubling" in the sentence as there is no reason to switch to a tense other than the present perfect.

Everyone in the villages know that the boy was in trouble from the moment he came home. Possible Answers: know of that knows that know which know that knows which

Correct answer: knows that Explanation: The subject of the sentence "Everyone" is a singular noun, but the verb "know" is plural. A subject and verb have to match in tense, so the verb needs to be in the singular form. The correct answer is "knows that."

A group of travelers in the hotel lobby seem to be ready for breakfast. Possible Answers: have seemed NO CHANGE to seem are seeming seems

Correct answer: seems Explanation: "Seems" matches both the tense of the sentence (present) and case of the subject, "a group," which is singular. "Seem" may seem correct, but the verb here describes the "group" as one whole, rather than describing a plural group of travelers. "Travelers" cannot be the subject of the sentence because it is contained in a prepositional phrase and unnecessary to the sentence's structure. If you find this confusing, try omitting the prepositional phrase from the sentence: "A group in the hotel lobby seem to be ready for breakfast" makes the error more apparent.

The argument over the scandal and the authority of the governor have intensified greatly. Possible Answers: what the authority of the governor is has the governor's authority have the authority of the governor have the authority of the governor has whether the governor has authority has

Correct answer: the authority of the governor has Explanation: Because the subject of the sentence is the singular noun argument, the verb have is conjugated incorrectly. The sentence also has a list which requires parallel phrasing. The only choice that corrects both problems is "the authority of the governor has".

One of the boys were making trouble for everybody else. Possible Answers: the boys were made trouble the boys were making trouble the boys were make trouble the boys was making trouble the boys were making troubling

Correct answer: the boys was making trouble Explanation: The verb in the sentence, "were," is a plural verb, but the subject of the sentence is "one," a singular noun. Any subject and verb must be in agreement, so the verb has to be changed to the singular form, because "one" is not underlined in the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "the boys was making trouble."

Due to the elliptical shape of celestial orbits, the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time. Possible Answers: the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time. the distance between the sun with the planets vary over time. the distance of the sun to the planets vary over time. the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time. the distance between the sun and the planets have varied over time.

Correct answer: the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time. Explanation: The answer choice "the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time" is correct. It correctly uses a singular verb—"varies"—to match the singular subject, "distance." All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain a subject-verb number agreement error. They use plural verb forms when they should use singular verb forms instead.

The leader of the football players make all decisions for the entire group. Possible Answers: the football players making all decisions the football players were making all decisions the football players make all decisions the football players makes all decisions the football players to make all decisions

Correct answer: the football players makes all decisions Explanation: The use of the plural verb form "make" is incorrect in this sentence, as the subject, "The leader," is a singular noun. A subject and verb must always be in agreement, meaning the verb needs to be changed to a singular form. Only "the football players makes all decisions" uses the proper verb form, so it is the correct answer choice.

After watching their home team hit the game-winning home run, the group of hometown fans were ecstatic. Possible Answers: the group of hometown fans were ecstatic the group of hometown fans became ecstatic the hometown fans in the group was ecstatic the group was ecstatic with hometown fans the group of hometown fans was ecstatic

Correct answer: the group of hometown fans was ecstatic Explanation: The term "group" is a singular subject; therefore, the verb must be "was," as opposed to "were."

The trial is at a standstill because the jury are sharply divided over the case. Possible Answers: NO CHANGE the jury are being sharply divided the jury is sharply divided the jury were sharply divided the jury will be sharply divided

Correct answer: the jury is sharply divided Explanation: With a collective noun like "jury," if the group or collective is all acting in a unified way it takes the singular "is" instead of the plural "are." Here, the entire "jury" is "being sharply divided," so "is" is the correct verb to use.

Due to the fact that newspapers and magazines focus on death, corruption, and other negative matters, the majority of the public believes that the media are pessimistic. Possible Answers: the majority of the public believes that the medias are pessimistic. the majority of the public believes that the media are pessimistic. the majority of the public believes that the media is pessimistic. the majority of the public believe that the media are pessimistic. the majority of the public believe that the media can be pessimistic.

Correct answer: the majority of the public believes that the media are pessimistic. Explanation: No error. The subject "the majority" is singular, so the verb must be "believes." "The media" is plural because it refers to various sources, so the verb should be "are."

Every one of the new coaches face serious troubles with their teams. Possible Answers: the new coaches faces the new coach face new coaches face the new coaches face the new coach faces

Correct answer: the new coaches faces Explanation: The verb in the sentence, written in the underlined portion as "face," must actually be in the singular form "faces." The subject of the sentence is "every," which is actually a singular form, even though the verb sits next to "new coaches." "The new coaches faces" is the correct answer.

The first of the shows were much tamer than the shows that came later. Possible Answers: the shows was much tamer the shows were much tamer the shows were much tamest the shows were more tamer the show's were much tamer

Correct answer: the shows was much tamer Explanation: The subject of the sentence is a singular noun, "first," but the sentence is written with a plural verb, "were." A subject and the verb that describes its action must always be in agreement, meaning this verb needs to be changed to a singular form. The only answer choice to use the correct verb form is "the shows was much tamer."

The box of goodies from her mother, which included chocolate, pretzels, and quarters for the laundry machine, were a life-saver for Michelle during exams. Possible Answers: saved lives was a life-saver was life-savers NO CHANGE were life-savers

Correct answer: was a life-saver Explanation: The verb "was" refers to "the box," which is singular, so "life-saver" should also be singular.

The entire cast from her favorite television show, except the actress who plays the main character, were present at the event. Possible Answers: is present had been present was present NO CHANGE

Correct answer: was present Explanation: A television "cast" is singular, so "was" matches the singular noun. All other options change the tense.