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. 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 2

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 3

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 4

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

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 both 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 B is correct because it properly matches the singular female antecedent 'Emma' with the singular female pronoun 'her'. The pronoun 'her' agrees with Emma in both number and gender. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the male pronoun 'his' with a female antecedent. This common error happens when students don't match pronoun gender to 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 'Is Emma a boy or girl?' to determine the correct pronoun. Watch for: using male pronouns as default (Emma...his) or plural pronouns with singular antecedents (Emma...their).

Question 5

1. The children put on his coats.
2. The children put on her coats.
3. The children put on its coats.
4. The children put on their coats. (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. 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 plural 'their'. Choice D is correct because it properly matches the plural antecedent 'The children' with the plural pronoun 'their'. The pronoun 'their' agrees with the plural antecedent. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the singular pronoun 'his' with a plural antecedent. This common error happens when students use singular pronouns with plural nouns. To help students: For pronoun-antecedent agreement, teach number match (one student→he/she/it, many students→they/their). Trick: Count the antecedent - 'children' means more than one, so use plural 'their'. Watch for: using singular pronouns (his, her, its) with plural antecedents (children) - always match the number!

Question 6

1. Each child have a pencil.
2. Each child has a pencil. (correct answer)
3. Each child haveing a pencil.
4. Each child haves a pencil.

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 child' which is singular (each = one at a time). Therefore, the verb must be in singular form. Choice B is correct because it properly matches the singular subject 'Each child' with the singular verb 'has'. The form 'has' is the singular form of have. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the plural verb 'have' with a singular subject. This common error happens when students think 'each' refers to many, but it actually means one at a time. To help students: For subject-verb agreement, teach that 'each', 'every', and 'everyone' are always singular and need singular verbs. Special forms: is/are (singular/plural), has/have (singular/plural). Trick: 'Each' means one at a time, so it's singular. Watch for: using plural verbs with 'each' (each child have).

Question 7

1. its
2. their (correct answer)
3. they
4. them

Explanation: Their is correct because puppies is plural, and their is the possessive pronoun that agrees with a plural noun. Its is a singular possessive pronoun, so it does not agree with the plural puppies. They is a subject pronoun, not a possessive form, so it cannot show ownership of the tails. Them is an object pronoun, not a possessive form, so it also cannot show ownership.

Question 8

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

Explanation: Practices is correct because team is a singular subject and takes a verb ending in s in the present tense. Practice is the form used with plural subjects like they or we, not with the singular team. Practicing needs a helping verb such as is before it and cannot stand alone as the main verb. Have practice mixes a plural helping verb with a noun in a way that does not form a correct verb phrase for the sentence.

Question 9

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 10

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

Explanation: Are agrees with the plural subject three books, so it is the correct verb to use. Is is a singular verb and does not match a plural subject. Was is past tense, but the sentence needs the present tense used in the rest of the sentence. Has does not work with there in this way and does not show simple existence.

Question 11

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

Explanation: "The students" names more than one person, so the pronoun must be "their." Choice D is correct. "His" and "her" (Choices A and B) are for one person, and "its" (Choice C) is for a thing, so none matches "the students."

Question 12

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

Explanation: Is is correct because everyone is a singular subject and takes a singular verb, even though it refers to a group of people. Are is a plural verb and does not match the singular subject everyone. Were is a plural past-tense verb, which does not match either the subject's number or the sentence's present tense. Be needs a helping word like will or to before it and cannot stand alone as the main verb here.

Question 13

1. get
2. gets (correct answer)
3. got
4. getting

Explanation: Gets is correct because everyone is a singular subject and takes a verb ending in s in the present tense. Get is the form used with plural subjects like they or we, not with the singular everyone. Got is the past-tense form, which does not match the present-tense meaning of the sentence. Getting needs a helping verb such as is before it and cannot stand alone as the main verb here.

Question 14

1. explain
2. explains (correct answer)
3. explained
4. explaining

Explanation: Explains is correct because teacher is a singular subject and takes a verb ending in s in the present tense. Explain is the form used with plural subjects like they or we, not with the singular teacher. Explained is the past-tense form, which does not match the present-tense meaning of the sentence. Explaining needs a helping verb such as is before it and cannot stand alone as the main verb.

Question 15

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

Explanation: Are is correct because books is a plural noun, and the verb after there must agree with the noun that follows it. Is is a singular verb and does not match the plural noun books. Has shows possession, not existence, so it does not fit this sentence pattern. Was is a past-tense verb, which does not match the present-tense time word right now.

Question 16

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

Explanation: Her is correct because Emma is a girl's name, and her is the possessive pronoun that matches a female person. His is the possessive pronoun for a male person, which does not match Emma. Their is used for a plural or nonbinary subject, not for one girl named Emma. Its is used for an object or animal, not for a person like Emma.

Question 17

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

Explanation: Practices is correct because team is a singular subject and takes a verb ending in s in the present tense. Practice is the form used with plural subjects like they or we, not with the singular team. Practicing needs a helping verb such as is before it and cannot stand alone as the main verb. Are practice mixes a plural helping verb with the base form in a way that does not form a correct verb phrase.

Question 18

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

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. Is playing uses a singular helping verb, which does not match the plural subject. Played is the past-tense form, which does not match the present-tense meaning of the sentence.

Question 19

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

Explanation: The correct answer is right because its is the pronoun used for a thing whose gender is not male or female, like a robot. Choice A is wrong because their is used for more than one owner, not one robot dog. Choice C is wrong because his is used for a male, and the robot dog has no stated gender. Choice D is wrong because her is used for a female, and the robot dog has no stated gender.

Question 20

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).