Standard English ConventionsMediumAgreement with a gerund subject
Standard English Conventions practice question
Reading the instructions carefully ____ most of the mistakes people make when assembling the desk.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. preventsCorrect
- B. prevent
- C. have prevented
- D. are preventing
Answer: A. prevents
The subject is 'Reading the instructions carefully' — a single activity — so the verb is singular: 'prevents'.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. prevent
- 'prevent' is plural, but the subject is the singular activity of reading, not 'instructions'.
- C. have prevented
- 'have prevented' is plural.
- D. are preventing
- 'are preventing' is plural.
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