16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasySubject-verb agreement with a singular subject and a plural phrase

Standard English Conventions practice question

The stack of chairs by the door ____ to be moved before the rehearsal.

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

  1. A. needsCorrect
  2. B. need
  3. C. are needing
  4. D. have needed

Answer: A. needs

The subject is 'stack', singular; 'of chairs' describes it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. need
'Need' agrees with 'chairs', not 'stack'.
C. are needing
'Are needing' is plural.
D. have needed
'Have needed' is plural.

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