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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Test Your Collective Nouns and Subject-Verb Agreement Skills

Think you can ace this collective nouns quiz - test your subject-verb agreement skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a Collective Nouns Grammar Quiz on a coral background.

This collective nouns grammar quiz helps you practice and master subject-verb agreement with groups like teams, classes, and committees. Get instant feedback so you can fix slips fast and feel ready for homework or exams, or warm up with this short exercise.

The committee ____ meeting today.
is
be
were
are
A committee is a collective noun acting as a single entity, so it takes a singular verb. In American English, such groups are generally treated as singular. Using is maintains correct subject-verb agreement. .
Her family ____ going to the reunion this summer.
were
is
are
have been
Family is a collective noun referring to a single unit, so it takes a singular verb. American usage typically treats family as singular. Thus is going is correct. .
The herd of cattle ____ grazing in the field.
have been
are
is
were
Herd is a collective noun representing a group as one entity, so it uses a singular verb. Although cattle are plural, the subject is the herd itself. That makes is grazing correct. .
This staff ____ always helpful.
are
were
is
have been
Staff is a collective noun referring to employees as one unit, so it takes a singular verb in American English. Is always matches the singular subject. .
The data ____ conclusive.
are
is
was
has been
Data is technically the plural of datum and traditionally takes a plural verb. In formal contexts, data are is preferred. Here, are conclusive ensures correct agreement. .
The media ____ biased in their reporting.
are
is
was
has been
Media is the plural of medium, so it takes a plural verb when referring to multiple outlets. Are biased matches the plural noun. .
All of the jury ____ in favor of acquittal.
are
was
have been
is
The phrase all of the shifts focus to individuals within the group, so the verb is plural. Here, are in favor correctly agrees with jury members. .
The cast ____ rehearsing for the play.
were
is
are
have been
Cast is a collective noun that refers to the group as a single unit, so it takes a singular verb. Is rehearsing is correct for American usage. .
Fifty dollars ____ a lot to pay for dinner.
have been
were
is
are
When an amount of money is considered as a single sum, it takes a singular verb. Here, fifty dollars is treats the sum as one unit. .
The class, along with the teacher, ____ going on a field trip.
have been
were
is
are
The true subject is The class, a collective noun treated as singular, despite the parenthetical phrase. The verb remains singular: is going. .
Neither the manager nor the employees ____ willing to compromise.
was
is
are
were
With subjects joined by neithernor, the verb agrees with the nearer noun. Here employees is plural, so are is correct. .
A swarm of bees ____ flying around the garden.
was
have been
are
is
Swarm is a collective noun that acts as a single unit, thus it takes a singular verb. Is flying correctly matches the subject. .
Ten miles ____ too far to walk in this heat.
is
were
have been
are
Distances, amounts, and intervals of time are treated as singular units, so ten miles is is correct. The phrase functions as a single measurement. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Verb Forms -

    Distinguish between singular and plural verbs when they accompany collective nouns in various sentence structures.

  2. Analyze Sentence Contexts -

    Examine sentence cues to determine whether a collective noun should pair with a singular or plural verb.

  3. Apply Agreement Rules -

    Use established subject-verb agreement guidelines to select the correct verb form for sentences featuring collective nouns.

  4. Differentiate Regional Conventions -

    Recognize when American and British English approaches to collective noun agreement may lead to different verb choices.

  5. Evaluate and Correct Errors -

    Review quiz questions and pinpoint mistakes in subject-verb agreement involving collective nouns.

  6. Master Collective Noun Challenges -

    Build confidence in handling complex grammar scenarios by completing targeted practice questions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Identifying Collective Nouns -

    Collective nouns name groups - such as "team," "flock," or "jury" - and must be spotted first to apply correct verbs (Cambridge University Press). In a subject verb agreement collective nouns quiz, recognizing these group labels is your first step. Recall: if members act as a unit, treat the subject as singular.

  2. Singular vs. Plural Contexts -

    Some collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs depending on whether you emphasize the group or its members (BBC Learning English). For example, "The committee meets today" vs. "The committee are divided in opinion." When doing a subject verb agreement quiz, ask if the focus is unity or individuality.

  3. Frequently Tricky Units -

    Words like "staff," "jury," "audience," and "family" often stump learners (Merriam-Webster). By default, treat them as singular unless the context clearly highlights individual actions. A quick mnemonic: "One Team, One Dream" helps reinforce singular usage in your collective nouns quiz.

  4. Ignoring In-Between Phrases -

    Modifiers or prepositional phrases - "of cattle," "with ideas," "in the audience" - can distract you from the actual subject (Purdue OWL). Always link your verb to the main noun, not the intervening words. When you practice collective nouns practice questions, underline the true subject before choosing your verb.

  5. Mastering via Targeted Practice -

    Boost confidence with timed exercises from reputable sources like university writing centers or official style guides. Use a mix of the collective nouns grammar quiz, subject verb agreement quiz, and tailored worksheets to vary difficulty. Remember the motto "Find the core before you score" to keep your focus sharp on each question.

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