On tap

Exercise 1
Part I:
Directions - Each sentence below contains a choice for correct subject-verb agreement.  Write the correct form in the space provided under each item.  
1.      At Yellowstone Park grizzly bears (doesn’t, don’t) have names; they have numbers.
. 2.      In the meeting between human and bear, a wild-card factor (throws, throw) all calculations and studies to the wind
3.      The Yellowstone authorities should (has, have) kept thorough records on each bear.
4.      When some bears (encounters, encounter) people, it is the bear who runs.
5.      The great national parks (holds, hold) about 200 grizzlies, with possibly 30 of them being breeding females. 
Part II:
Directions – This group of sentences contains a mixture of correct and incorrect subject-verb combinations. Read each sentence carefully. If the subject and verb agree, write "correct" in the space provided below.  If the subject and verb do not agree, change the number of the verb to make the two agree. Write the corrections in the space below.
6.      Behind an experimental fenced yard protecting campers in Glacier National Park, six visitors has been fatally mauled by grizzlies in the past 19 years.
7.      Meandering downriver toward a deer, three grizzly cubs comes within 15 yards of it.
8.      To a grizzly almost anything are food except rocks.
9.      Lingering snow patches often become playgrounds for grizzlies observed making snowballs.      
10.      Female grizzlies mates every third year in summer, without their fertilized eggs implanting in the womb until fall.
  Exercise 2
Part I:
Directions - Each sentence below contains a compound subject. Choose the correct verb from the parentheses to agree with the compound subject. Write your answers in the space provided under each item. 
1.      Both Democrats and Republicans (is, are) electing a new leader.        
2.      Neither threats nor hostile action (scares, scare) the enemy.        
3.      The actors and the director (understands, understand) the lighting problems.       
4.      The surfer or the swimmers (is, are) responsible for the littered beach.     
5.      A good diet and a realistic exercise plan (combines, combine) to help one lose weight.       
Part II:
Directions – This group of sentences contains a mixture of correct and incorrect subject-verb combinations. Read each sentence carefully. If the subject and verb agree, write "correct" in the space provided below.  If the subject and verb do not agree, change the number of the verb to make the two agree. Write the corrections in the space below.
1.      A sweet potato and some carrots provides Vitamin A, important for healthy eyes.       
2.      The eyes or the skin is often adversely affected by a lack of Vitamin A.        
3.      Neither bleach nor dyes really helps unhealthy hair look better.        
4.      Ripe tomatoes, leafy Brussels sprouts, and a handy orange is rich in Vitamin C.        
5.      Unfortunately for the sedentary, neither diet nor vitamins alone provide sufficient fuel for good health.
Exercise 3
Part I:
Directions - Each sentence below contains a group noun subject. After locating the subject, choose the correct verb from the parentheses to agree with it. Write your answers in the space provided under each item. 
1.      In the Peace Corps, an American group (goes, go) into an underprivileged country to help the people develop skills.      
2.      The family members (learns, learn) a variety of different skills that are valuable in the market.       
3.      The U.S. Senate (has, have) made several individual proposals for starting the Peace Corps.  
4.      On October 4, 1960, at the University of Michigan, a young crowd (listens, listen) to John Kennedy propose the Peace Corps.     
5.      The tribe members (is, are) expressing their individual thanks to members of the Peace Corps. 
Part II:
Directions – This group of sentences contains a mixture of correct and incorrect subject-verb combinations. Read each sentence carefully. If the subject and verb agree, write "correct" in the space provided below.  If the subject and verb do not agree, correct the sentence. Write the corrections in the space below.
1.      The volunteer group is teaching forestry in Ecuador, pipe repair in Pachanillay, and sewing in Puembo.       
2.      A prestigious club has contributed funds, materials, and ideas to Peace Corps volunteers.     
3.      The Peace Corps team members often gets together to talk over old times.     
4.      In the towns visited by the Peace Corps, the government repay the work of the volunteers with gratitude.       
5.      A new crew are now volunteering to join the modern Peace Corps.
Exercise 4

Part I:
Directions - Decide whether a singular or a plural verb is correct for each subject given. In some cases, the rule given in this section will determine the answer immediately.