3rd Grade Writing Quiz: Subject Verb And Pronoun Antecedent Agreement

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Subject Verb And Pronoun Antecedent Agreement, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for 3rd Grade Writing.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

Question 1

1. Everyone are ready to go.
2. Everyone is ready to go. (correct answer)
3. Everyone be ready to go.
4. Everyone were ready to go.

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (is) while plural subjects need plural verbs (are). In this sentence, the subject is 'Everyone' which is singular (even though it refers to many people). Therefore, the verb must be 'is'. Choice B is correct because it properly matches the singular subject 'Everyone' with the singular verb 'is'. The form 'is' agrees with the singular subject. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the plural verb 'are' with a singular subject. This common error happens when students think 'everyone' is plural because it refers to many people. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach that indefinite pronouns like 'everyone', 'everybody', 'someone', and 'anyone' are always singular and need singular verbs. Trick: Words ending in -one or -body are singular. Watch for: using plural verbs with indefinite pronouns (everyone are).

Question 2

1. his
2. their
3. her (correct answer)
4. them

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Pronoun-antecedent agreement means the pronoun must match the noun it replaces. For pronoun-antecedent: the pronoun must match in number (singular/plural) and gender (he/she/it) with the noun it refers to. In this sentence, the antecedent is 'Emma' which is singular and female, so the pronoun must be 'her.' Choice C 'her' is correct because it properly matches the singular, female antecedent 'Emma.' The pronoun 'her' agrees with 'Emma' in both number and gender. Choice A 'his' is incorrect because it uses a masculine pronoun for a female antecedent. This common error happens when students don't pay attention to the gender of the antecedent. To help students: For pronoun-antecedent agreement, teach gender match (boy→he/his, girl→she/her, thing→it/its) and number match (one→he/she/it, many→they/their). Trick: Ask 'Who packed the lunch?' - Emma (she) packed her lunch.

Question 3

1. is
2. are (correct answer)
3. has
4. am

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs plays is has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run play are have). In this sentence the true subject is 'three pencils' which is plural (even though 'There' starts the sentence). Therefore the verb must be the plural form 'are.' Choice B is correct because it properly matches the plural subject with the plural verb 'are.' The form 'are' agrees with 'pencils.' Choice A is incorrect because it uses the singular verb 'is' with a plural subject. This common error happens when students don't identify the real subject after 'There.' To help students: For subject-verb agreement teach that singular subjects get -s on the verb (dog runs) while plural subjects use base form (dogs run). Special forms: is/are (singular/plural) has/have (singular/plural). Trick: Find the subject first then check if it's one or more than one. Watch for: adding -s to both subject and verb (dogs runs).

Question 4

1. There is three books on the desk.
2. There are three books on the desk. (correct answer)
3. There am three books on the desk.
4. There be three books on the desk.

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (is) while plural subjects need plural verbs (are). In this sentence with 'there', the real subject comes after the verb - 'three books' which is plural. Therefore, the verb must be 'are'. Choice B is correct because it properly matches the plural subject 'three books' with the plural verb 'are'. The form 'are' agrees with the plural subject. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the singular verb 'is' with a plural subject. This common error happens when students don't identify the real subject in 'there is/are' sentences. To help students: For 'there is/are' sentences, find the real subject after the verb. If it's singular, use 'is'; if it's plural, use 'are'. Trick: In 'there' sentences, look for what exists - that's your subject. Watch for: always using 'there is' regardless of what follows (there is three books).

Question 5

1. The students listens quietly.
2. The students listening quietly.
3. The students listen quietly. (correct answer)
4. The students listened quietly.

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs, plays, is, has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run, play, are, have). In this sentence, the subject is 'The students' which is plural. Therefore, the verb must be in base form without -s. Choice C is correct because it properly matches the plural subject 'The students' with the base verb 'listen'. The form 'listen' agrees with the plural subject. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the singular verb 'listens' with a plural subject. This common error happens when students add -s to verbs with plural subjects. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach that singular subjects get -s on the verb (student listens) while plural subjects use base form (students listen). Special forms: is/are (singular/plural), has/have (singular/plural). Trick: Find the subject first, then check if it's one or more than one. Watch for: adding -s to both subject and verb (students listens) or using incomplete forms (listening without helping verb).

Question 6

1. The team practice after school.
2. The team practices after school. (correct answer)
3. The team practiceing after school.
4. The team practiced after school.

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs, plays, is, has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run, play, are, have). In this sentence, the subject is 'The team' which is singular (collective noun). Therefore, the verb must be in singular form with -s. Choice B is correct because it properly matches the singular subject 'The team' with the singular verb 'practices'. The form 'practices' agrees with the singular subject. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the base form 'practice' with a singular subject. This common error happens when students think collective nouns like 'team' are plural. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach that collective nouns (team, class, family, group) are usually singular and take singular verbs (team practices). Special forms: is/are (singular/plural), has/have (singular/plural). Trick: Think of the team as one unit, not individual players. Watch for: treating collective nouns as plural (team practice) or using incorrect spelling (practiceing).

Question 7

1. The dog wag its tail.
2. The dog wags its tail. (correct answer)
3. The dog wagging its tail.
4. The dog wagged its tail.

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs, plays, is, has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run, play, are, have). In this sentence, the subject is 'The dog' which is singular. Therefore, the verb must be in singular form with -s. Choice B is correct because it properly matches the singular subject 'The dog' with the singular verb 'wags'. The form 'wags' agrees with the singular subject. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the base form 'wag' with a singular subject. This common error happens when students forget to add -s to verbs with singular subjects. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach that singular subjects get -s on the verb (dog wags) while plural subjects use base form (dogs wag). Special forms: is/are (singular/plural), has/have (singular/plural). Trick: One dog = add -s to the verb (wags). Watch for: forgetting the -s with singular subjects (dog wag) or choosing past tense when present is needed.

Question 8

1. his
2. its
3. her
4. their (correct answer)

Explanation: This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Pronoun-antecedent agreement means the pronoun must match the noun it replaces in number and gender. For pronoun-antecedent agreement: the pronoun must match in number (singular/plural) and gender (he/she/it/they) with the noun it refers to. In this sentence, the antecedent is 'The children' which is plural. Therefore, the pronoun must be 'their.' Choice D 'their' is correct because it properly matches the plural antecedent. The form 'their' agrees with the plural noun 'children.' Choice A 'his' is incorrect because it uses a singular pronoun for a plural antecedent. This common error happens when students don't identify that 'children' is plural. To help students: For pronoun-antecedent agreement, teach that plural nouns (children, students, dogs) need plural pronouns (they/their/them). Watch for: using singular pronouns (his/her/its) with plural antecedents.

Question 9

1. have
2. has (correct answer)
3. are having
4. haves

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs, plays, is, has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run, play, are, have). In this sentence, the subject is 'Each student' which is singular (the word 'each' makes it singular). Therefore, the verb must be 'has.' Choice B 'has' is correct because it properly matches the singular subject with a singular verb. The form 'has' agrees with the singular subject 'each student.' Choice A 'have' is incorrect because it uses a plural verb with a singular subject. This common error happens when students focus on 'student' and forget that 'each' makes it singular. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach that words like each, every, either, neither always make subjects singular. Special forms: has/have (singular has/plural have).

Question 10

1. practice
2. are practice
3. practices (correct answer)
4. have practice

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs, plays, is, has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run, play, are, have). In this sentence, the subject is 'The team' which is singular (collective noun). Therefore, the verb must be in singular form with -s. Choice C 'practices' is correct because it properly matches the singular subject with a singular verb. The form 'practices' agrees with the singular collective noun 'team.' Choice A 'practice' is incorrect because it uses the base form (plural verb) with a singular subject. This common error happens when students think collective nouns are plural. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach that collective nouns (team, class, group, family) are usually singular and take singular verbs. Pattern: The team practices (not practice).

Question 11

1. is
2. are (correct answer)
3. was
4. be

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs plays is has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run play are have). In this sentence the subject is 'There' but agreement is with 'three books' which is plural. Therefore the verb must be the plural form 'are.' Choice B is correct because it properly matches the plural logical subject with the plural verb 'are.' The form 'are' agrees with 'three books.' Choice A is incorrect because it uses the singular verb 'is' with a plural logical subject. This common error happens when students don't identify the true subject in expletive sentences. To help students: For subject-verb agreement teach that singular subjects get -s on the verb (dog runs) while plural subjects use base form (dogs run). Special forms: is/are (singular/plural) has/have (singular/plural). Trick: Find the subject first then check if it's one or more than one. Watch for: expletives like 'there' where agreement follows the noun after the verb.

Question 12

1. his
2. her
3. its
4. their (correct answer)

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Pronoun-antecedent agreement means the pronoun must match the noun it replaces in number and gender. For pronoun-antecedent: the pronoun must match in number (singular/plural) and gender (he/she/it) with the noun it refers to. The antecedent is 'The students' which is plural, so the pronoun must be 'their.' Choice D is correct because it properly matches the plural antecedent with the plural pronoun 'their.' The form 'their' agrees with 'students.' Choice A is incorrect because it uses the singular pronoun 'his' for a plural antecedent. This common error happens when students match pronoun to wrong number. To help students: For pronoun-antecedent teach number match (one→he/she/it many→they) and gender match (boy→he girl→she thing→it). Trick: Find the antecedent first then check if it's one or more than one and male/female/neuter. Watch for: using singular pronoun for plural antecedent (students→his should be their).

Question 13

1. plays
2. play (correct answer)
3. playing
4. is playing

Explanation: Play is correct because Maria and Carlos together form a plural subject, and plural subjects use the base form of the verb. Plays is used with a singular subject like he or she, not with two people joined by and. Playing needs a helping verb such as are before it and cannot stand alone as the main verb. Is playing uses a singular helping verb, which does not match the plural subject Maria and Carlos.

Question 14

1. There is three pencils on the desk.
2. There are three pencils on the desk. (correct answer)
3. There am three pencils on the desk.
4. There be three pencils on the desk.

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject. For subject-verb agreement with 'there is/are': the verb must agree with what follows it. In this sentence, the real subject is 'three pencils' which is plural. Therefore, the verb must be 'are' (plural form). Choice B 'There are three pencils on the desk' is correct because it properly matches the plural subject 'three pencils' with the plural verb 'are.' Choice A 'There is three pencils on the desk' is incorrect because it uses the singular verb 'is' with a plural subject 'three pencils.' This common error happens when students don't identify the real subject after 'there.' To help students: In 'there is/are' sentences, find what comes after the verb - that's the real subject. Use 'is' for one thing (There is one pencil) and 'are' for more than one (There are three pencils). Special pattern: 'there' is never the subject - look for the noun that follows.

Question 15

1. My sister have a new library card.
2. My sister has a new library card. (correct answer)
3. My sister having a new library card.
4. My sister had a new library card.

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs, plays, is, has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run, play, are, have). In this sentence, the subject is 'My sister' which is singular. Therefore, the verb must be singular 'has'. Choice B is correct because it properly matches the singular subject 'My sister' with the singular verb 'has'. The form 'has' agrees with the singular subject. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the plural verb 'have' with a singular subject. This common error happens when students don't recognize that 'has' is the singular form of 'have'. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach the special forms has/have where 'has' is for singular subjects (sister has, he has) and 'have' is for plural subjects (sisters have, they have). Special forms: is/are (singular/plural), has/have (singular/plural). Trick: Remember 'has' has an 's' for singular! Watch for: using 'have' with all subjects or choosing past tense when present is needed.

Question 16

1. explain
2. explains (correct answer)
3. explaines
4. are explain

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs, plays, is, has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run, play, are, have). In this sentence, the subject is 'The teacher' which is singular. Therefore, the verb must be in singular form with -s. Choice B 'explains' is correct because it properly matches the singular subject with a singular verb. The form 'explains' agrees with the singular subject 'teacher.' Choice A 'explain' is incorrect because it uses the base form (plural verb) with a singular subject. This common error happens when students don't identify if the subject is singular or plural. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach that singular subjects get -s on the verb (teacher explains) while plural subjects use base form (teachers explain). Trick: Find the subject first, then check if it's one or more than one.

Question 17

1. his
2. their
3. her (correct answer)
4. them

Explanation: This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Pronoun-antecedent agreement means the pronoun must match the noun it replaces in number and gender. For pronoun-antecedent agreement: the pronoun must match in number (singular/plural) and gender (he/she/it) with the noun it refers to. In this sentence, the antecedent is 'Emma' which is singular and female. Therefore, the pronoun must be 'her.' Choice C 'her' is correct because it properly matches the singular female antecedent. The form 'her' agrees with 'Emma' in both number and gender. Choice A 'his' is incorrect because it uses a masculine pronoun for a female antecedent. This common error happens when students don't pay attention to gender. To help students: For pronoun-antecedent agreement, teach number match (one→he/she/it, many→they) and gender match (boy→he/his, girl→she/her, thing→it/its). Key pattern: Emma (girl) → her, not his.

Question 18

1. The teacher explain the rules.
2. The teacher explains the rules. (correct answer)
3. The teacher explaines the rules.
4. The teacher explaining the rules.

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs, plays, is, has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run, play, are, have). In this sentence, the subject is 'The teacher' which is singular. Therefore, the verb must be in singular form with -s. Choice B is correct because it properly matches the singular subject 'The teacher' with the singular verb 'explains'. The form 'explains' agrees with the singular subject. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the base form 'explain' with a singular subject. This common error happens when students don't add -s to verbs with singular subjects. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach that singular subjects get -s on the verb (teacher explains) while plural subjects use base form (teachers explain). Special forms: is/are (singular/plural), has/have (singular/plural). Trick: Find the subject first, then check if it's one or more than one. Watch for: forgetting to add -s with singular subjects (teacher explain) or adding -s to both subject and verb (teachers explains).

Question 19

1. are
2. were
3. is (correct answer)
4. be

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs plays is has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run play are have). In this sentence the subject is 'Everyone' which is singular. Therefore the verb must be the singular form 'is.' Choice C is correct because it properly matches the singular subject with the singular verb 'is.' The form 'is' agrees with 'everyone.' Choice A is incorrect because it uses the plural verb 'are' with a singular subject. This common error happens when students don't identify indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' as singular. To help students: For subject-verb agreement teach that singular subjects get -s on the verb (dog runs) while plural subjects use base form (dogs run). Special forms: is/are (singular/plural) has/have (singular/plural). Trick: Find the subject first then check if it's one or more than one. Watch for: adding -s to both subject and verb (dogs runs).

Question 20

1. reads
2. read (correct answer)
3. is reading
4. reading

Explanation: This question tests subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement (CCSS.L.3.1.f). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. For subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs (with -s: runs plays is has) while plural subjects need base verbs (no -s: run play are have). In this sentence the subject is 'The students' which is plural. Therefore the verb must be in base form without -s. Choice B is correct because it properly matches the plural subject with the base verb 'read.' The form 'read' agrees with 'students.' Choice A is incorrect because it uses the singular verb 'reads' with a plural subject. This common error happens when students confuse -s endings. To help students: For subject-verb agreement teach that singular subjects get -s on the verb (dog runs) while plural subjects use base form (dogs run). Special forms: is/are (singular/plural) has/have (singular/plural). Trick: Find the subject first then check if it's one or more than one. Watch for: adding -s to both subject and verb (dogs runs).