English Language Proficiency

ELP

Proper Nouns

Specific names of things, people, or places.

Common Nouns

General terms for things, people, or places.

Concrete Nouns

Physical nouns perceived with the five senses.

Abstract Nouns

Non-physical nouns representing ideas, qualities, or states.

Collective Nouns

Nouns that refer to a group, e.g., family or crew.

Subject

The noun that the sentence talks about or performs the action.

Direct Object

The noun that receives the action of the verb.

Indirect Object

The noun that indicates to whom or for whom the action is done.

Predicate Nominative

A noun that renames or complements the subject after a linking verb.

Object Complement

A noun that complements the direct object.

Object of the Preposition

The noun that follows a preposition.

Direct Address

A noun used to directly address someone, often set off by commas.

Appositive

A noun that renames another noun to clarify or classify it.

Personal Pronouns

Words that replace nouns, including subjective and objective forms.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Pronouns that point to specific things (this, that, these, those).

Possessive Pronouns

Pronouns that show ownership (mine, ours, yours, etc.).

Interrogative Pronouns

Pronouns used to ask questions (what, which, who, etc.).

Relative Pronouns

Pronouns that introduce relative clauses (which, that, who, whom).

Adjective

A word that modifies or describes a noun or pronoun.

Order of Adjectives

The sequence in which adjectives are placed before a noun.

Adverb

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

Preposition

A word that shows the relationship of a noun/pronoun to another word.

Confusing Prepositions

Examples of prepositions that are often misused (in vs. with, etc.).

Conjunctions

Words that join words or groups of words.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Conjunctions that connect equal parts (FANBOYS).

Correlative Conjunctions

Conjunctions used in pairs to connect related elements.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Conjunctions that link dependent clauses to independent clauses.

Participle

A verb form that can also function as an adjective.

Gerund

The -ing form of a verb used as a noun.

Infinitive

A verb form usually preceded by "to" that can function as a noun.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The grammatical rule that subjects and verbs must agree in number.

Singular Subject

Refers to one person or thing.

Plural Subject

Refers to more than one person or thing.

Collective Nouns

Nouns that can be singular or plural depending on context.

Indefinite Pronouns

Pronouns that do not refer to a specific person or thing and can affect verb agreement.

Compound Subjects

Subjects joined by "and" typically take a plural verb.

Titles of Works

Treated as singular even if they appear plural.

Expressions of Time, Money, and Distance

Typically treated as singular.

Subject-Verb Agreement in Questions

The verb agrees with the subject, even if it follows the verb.

Inverted Sentences

Ensure the verb agrees with the subject, even when the subject follows the verb.

The book on the shelf (is, are) dusty.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "The book" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "is."

Each of the players (has, have) a unique skill.

• Correct answer: has

• Explanation: "Each" is singular and requires the singular verb "has."

Neither the students nor the teacher (was, were) in the classroom.

• Correct answer: was

• Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject "teacher," which is singular.

A number of people (is, are) waiting for the bus.

• Correct answer: are

• Explanation: "A number of" is plural, so it takes the plural verb "are."

The team (is, are) winning the game.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "The team" is acting as a single unit, so it takes the singular verb "is."

Everybody (was, were) excited about the trip.

• Correct answer: was

• Explanation: "Everybody" is a singular indefinite pronoun and takes the singular verb "was."

The committee (has, have) made its decision.

• Correct answer: has

• Explanation: "The committee" is treated as a singular unit, so it takes the singular verb "has."

Mathematics (provide, provides) essential knowledge for many careers.

• Correct answer: provides

• Explanation: "Mathematics" is singular and takes the singular verb "provides."

The group of musicians (is, are) performing tonight.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "The group" is treated as a singular unit, so it takes the singular verb "is."

One-third of the cake (has, have) been eaten.

• Correct answer: has

• Explanation: "One-third" refers to a portion of a singular noun "cake," so it takes the singular verb "has."

The scissors (is, are) on the table.

• Correct answer: are

• Explanation: "Scissors" is a plural noun and always takes a plural verb.

The news (is, are) on at 6 PM.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "News" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "is."

The number of volunteers (is, are) increasing every year.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "The number" is a singular phrase, so it takes the singular verb "is."

Either the cat or the dogs (is, are) making noise.

• Correct answer: are

• Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject "dogs," which is plural.

The United States (call, calls) itself a land of opportunity.

• Correct answer: calls

• Explanation: "The United States" is treated as singular, so it takes the singular verb "calls."

Many a student (has, have) struggled with this topic.

• Correct answer: has

• Explanation: "Many a" is a singular phrase, so it takes the singular verb "has."

Both of the brothers (is, are) talented.

• Correct answer: are

• Explanation: "Both" is plural and takes the plural verb "are."

Here (is, are) your books.

• Correct answer: are

• Explanation: The verb agrees with the subject "books," which is plural.

The team (is, are) arguing among themselves.

• Correct answer: are

• Explanation: The focus is on the individual members of the team, so the plural verb "are" is correct.

Neither of the answers (is, are) correct.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Neither" is singular and takes the singular verb "is."

Twenty dollars (is, are) too much for this item.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Twenty dollars" is considered a singular amount, so it takes the singular verb "is."

The pair of shoes (is, are) on sale.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Pair" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "is."

Someone (has, have) left their bag here.

• Correct answer: has

• Explanation: "Someone" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "has."

Several students (was, were) absent yesterday.

• Correct answer: were

• Explanation: "Several" is plural, so it takes the plural verb "were."

The jury (was, were) divided in their opinions.

• Correct answer: were

• Explanation: The focus is on the individual members of the jury, so the plural verb "were" is correct.

The crowd (is, are) cheering loudly.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "The crowd" is acting as a single unit, so it takes the singular verb "is."

Bread and butter (is, are) my favorite breakfast.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Bread and butter" is considered a singular unit, so it takes the singular verb "is."

Five kilometers (is, are) a long distance to run.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Five kilometers" is considered a singular distance, so it takes the singular verb "is."

None of the children (was, were) hurt.

• Correct answer: were

• Explanation: "None" can be singular or plural depending on the context. Here, "children" is plural, so the verb should be plural "were."

The bouquet of flowers (is, are) beautiful.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Bouquet" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "is."

A lot of information (is, are) available online.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Information" is uncountable and singular, so it takes the singular verb "is."

Neither the manager nor the employees (was, were) satisfied.

• Correct answer: were

• Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject "employees," which is plural.

The audience (was, were) clapping enthusiastically.

• Correct answer: were

• Explanation: The focus is on the individual members of the audience, so the plural verb "were" is correct.

There (is, are) many reasons to be happy.

• Correct answer: are

• Explanation: The verb agrees with the subject "reasons," which is plural.

A variety of options (is, are) available.

• Correct answer: are

• Explanation: "Options" is plural, so it takes the plural verb "are."

The committee (is, are) planning the event.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "The committee" is acting as a single unit, so it takes the singular verb "is."

The furniture (is, are) being delivered tomorrow.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Furniture" is uncountable and singular, so it takes the singular verb "is."

Each of the books (is, are) interesting.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Each" is singular and takes the singular verb "is."

The scissors (has, have) been misplaced.

• Correct answer: have

• Explanation: "Scissors" is a plural noun and always takes a plural verb.

Every one of the students (has, have) completed the test.

• Correct answer: has

• Explanation: "Every one" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "has."

The police (was, were) called to the scene.

• Correct answer: were

• Explanation: "Police" is plural, so it takes the plural verb "were."

One of the students (has, have) a question.

• Correct answer: has

• Explanation: "One" is singular and takes the singular verb "has."

The data (is, are) being analyzed.

• Correct answer: are

• Explanation: "Data" is treated as a plural noun in formal usage, so it takes the plural verb "are."

The majority of the audience (was, were) enjoying the show.

• Correct answer: was

• Explanation: "Majority" is singular when it refers to a group acting as a whole, so it takes the singular verb "was."

All of the equipment (is, are) functioning properly.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Equipment" is uncountable and singular, so it takes the singular verb "is."

The teacher, along with the students, (is, are) attending the seminar.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: The main subject is "teacher," which is singular, so the verb should be singular "is."

The flowers or the tree (need, needs) to be watered.

• Correct answer: needs

• Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject "tree," which is singular.

Everyone (was, were) pleased with the outcome.

• Correct answer: was

• Explanation: "Everyone" is singular and takes the singular verb "was."

The staff (is, are) working late tonight.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Staff" is acting as a single unit, so it takes the singular verb "is."

A series of lectures (is, are) scheduled for next week.

• Correct answer: is

• Explanation: "Series" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "is."