Grammar and Language Workbook

6. Opinions toward the new policy (vary, varies) greatly.
7. A message from Mom (was, were) on the answering machine when I returned home.
8. Each entry within the guidelines (receives, receive) a thorough reading.
9. The closet below the stairs (holds, hold) all of our party supplies.
10. Clothes by Eileen (looks, look) especially attractive at the student design show.
11. Questions as to media availability (is, are) directed to the press secretary.
12. Events after the Civil War (is, are) covered in a separate history course.
13. A sudden light out of the darkness (startles, startle) the explorers.
14. Results, according to this poll, (shows, show) the incumbent with a comfortable lead.
15. The members across the aisle (believes, believe) a different approach would work better.
16. Players like Frank (practices, practice) long hours and achieve great success.
17. Issues concerning compatibility (is, are) discussed on page 342.
18. Artists with finesse (follows, follow) their inner muses.
19. Talking during movies (disrupts, disrupt) viewers’ pleasure.
20. A treasure at the bottom of the sea (awaits, await) the search party.
 Writing Link
Write a few sentences describing your favorite hobby. Use at least two subjects
modified by prepositional phrases. Be sure the verbs agree with the subjects.

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Unit 7, Subject-Verb Agreement
157
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Name ___________________________________________________ Class _________ Date ____________________
Grammar
Lesson 46
Subject-Verb Agreement and Linking Verbs
In sentences with linking verbs, the verb agrees with the subject, not the predicate
nominative. Do not be confused by a predicate nominative that is different in number
from the subject. Only the subject affects the number of the linking verb.
The first prize was season tickets to the symphony.
Players become a team when they learn to work together.
 Exercise 1