Making Subjects and Verbs Agree When They Are Separated by a Prepositional Phrase

In each of the following sentences, select the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject of the sentence. Remember that the subject of a sentence is never in a prepositional phrase. For help with this exercise, see “Words Come between the Subject and the Verb.”

  1. Experts in agriculture and plant science (identifies / identify) several reasons for flavorless tomatoes.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    1. Experts in agriculture and plant science (identifies / identify) several reasons for flavorless tomatoes.
  2. First, many commercial growers in the United States (chooses / choose) crop yield over taste.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    2. First, many commercial growers in the United States (chooses / choose) crop yield over taste.
  3. Specially engineered breeds of tomatoes (produces / produce) many more bushels per planting than traditional breeds do.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    3. Specially engineered breeds of tomatoes (produces / produce) many more bushels per planting than traditional breeds do.
  4. Unfortunately, the tomatoes inside each bushel (tastes / taste) nothing like their sweet, juicy homegrown relatives.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    4. Unfortunately, the tomatoes inside each bushel (tastes / taste) nothing like their sweet, juicy homegrown relatives.
  5. Growing conditions at commercial farms also (contributes / contribute) to the problem.

    Question

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    		B.
    5. Growing conditions at commercial farms also (contributes / contribute) to the problem.
  6. The soil within the major southern growing regions (tends / tend) to be sandy.

    Question

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    		B.
    6. The soil within the major southern growing regions (tends / tend) to be sandy.
  7. Sandy soil because of its low nutrient levels (results / result) in less-flavorful tomatoes.

    Question

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    		B.
    7. Sandy soil because of its low nutrient levels (results / result) in less-flavorful tomatoes.
  8. One way around the tasteless supermarket tomato (is / are) to purchase local farm-stand tomatoes.

    Question

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    8. One way around the tasteless supermarket tomato (is / are) to purchase local farm-stand tomatoes.
  9. Also, many gardeners across the country (grows / grow) delicious tomatoes on their own land.

    Question

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    		B.
    9. Also, many gardeners across the country (grows / grow) delicious tomatoes on their own land.
  10. Tomatoes from farm stands or home gardens (lasts / last) through the winter when they are canned.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    10. Tomatoes from farm stands or home gardens (lasts / last) through the winter when they are canned.
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