Basic Singular & Plural Exercises (Hard)

In longer sentences, subject-verb agreement becomes more difficult because extra words appear between the subject and the verb. The key rule stays the same: the verb must agree with the subject, not with the nearest noun. In "The girl with the two dogs walks to school," the subject is "the girl" (singular), so the verb is "walks" — not "walk," even though "dogs" is closer to the verb. Many learners match the verb to the wrong noun.

At this level, you will also see subjects with added descriptions and longer phrases. For example: "The results of the experiment show a clear pattern" — the subject is "results" (plural), not "experiment." To find the correct verb form, cross out the extra words between the subject and verb, then check: does the subject need -s or not? This technique helps you avoid errors in writing and is especially useful in B1 examinations where sentences are more complex.