16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardAgreement when the subject follows the verb

Standard English Conventions practice question

Beyond the last farm ____ the ruins of a chapel and a well.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. lieCorrect
  2. B. lies
  3. C. lying
  4. D. has lain

Answer: A. lie

The subject, 'the ruins of a chapel and a well', is plural and comes after the verb.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. lies
Singular.
C. lying
Not a finite verb.
D. has lain
Singular auxiliary.

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