16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumAgreement across 'of tools'

Standard English Conventions practice question

The box of tools ____ on the top shelf of the shed.

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

  1. A. isCorrect
  2. B. are
  3. C. were
  4. D. have been

Answer: A. is

The subject is 'The box', singular; 'of tools' only describes it. So: 'The box ... is'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. are
'are' agrees with 'tools', but 'tools' is inside a prepositional phrase.
C. were
'were' is plural and past.
D. have been
'have been' is plural.

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