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

Standard English Conventions practice question

The cormorants on the harbour wall ____ their wings to dry after every dive.

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

  1. A. spreadCorrect
  2. B. spreads
  3. C. is spreading
  4. D. has spread

Answer: A. spread

'Cormorants' is plural, so 'spread'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. spreads
'Spreads' is singular.
C. is spreading
'Is spreading' is singular.
D. has spread
'Has spread' is singular.

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