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Getting Smarter through Language

Practice 5. The Simple Sentence:
The Simple and Complex Subject

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Instructions

Based on what you learned in this lesson about the simple and complex subjects, identify the simple subject and the correct form of the verb in parentheses in each sentence.

Example

The need for nurses in the United States (continues / continue) to grow.

Simple subject: the need (singular simple subject)

   Correct verb: continues (singular verb)

When you are finished, click “Answer” to check your answer.

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1. Instructional methods used to teach foreign languages (has / have) changed dramatically in the last several decades.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: (instructional) methods (plural simple subject)

 Correct verb: have

2. The team of experts in data analyses hired to solve the problem (is / are) facing several challenges.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: the team (singular simple subject)

 Correct verb: is

Note. In American English, collective nouns are considered a single entiry. In some varieties of English, they can take both singular and plural verbs.

3. Supported by their lawyers, a group of concerned parents and local politicians (has / have) filed formal complaints against the school’s administrators.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: a group (singular simple subject)

 Correct verb: has

4. Several students in Professor Ecks’s English courses (was / were) caught cheating.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: (several) students (plural simple subject)

 Correct verb: were

5. The integration of advanced artificial intelligence into search engines and word processing (is / are) likely to change how we use information to write college essays.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: the integration (singular simple subject)

 Correct verb: is

6. The current strategy of involving urban planners, environmental scientists, and community activists (emphasizes / emphasize) the importance of collaboration to improve our cities.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: the (current) strategy (singular simple subject)

 Correct verb: emphasizes

7. The integration of quantum computing principles into existing online security (presents / present) unprecedented opportunities for enhancing encryption protocols.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: the integration (singular simple subject)

 Correct verb: presents

8. The recent inclusion of private enterprises in the exploration of deep space (has / have) renewed public interest in interstellar travel and colonization.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: the (recent) inclusion (singular simple subject)

 Correct verb: has

9. The continuous evolution of linguistic expressions influenced by social media trends in the last few decades (highlights / highlight) the dynamic nature of language in the digital age.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: the (continuous) evolution (singular simple subject)

 Correct verb: highlights

10. The suspicion that the governor may have participated in a corrupt scheme (was / were) enough for him to be voted out of office.

Simple subject:

 Correct verb:

SImple subject: the suspicion (singular simple subject)

 Correct verb: was

Congratulations on completing all the items!

 Back to the lesson.

1. Introduction 2. Phrases 3. The Verb 4. The Subject 5. Simple, Complex Subject 6. Sentences and Clauses
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