Phrases Between Subject and Verb Worksheet — Grade 6
Grade 6 worksheet drilling subject-verb agreement when prepositional phrases separate the true subject from its verb, with identify, choice, and rewrite tasks.
One of the most common subject-verb agreement errors occurs when a prepositional phrase separates the subject from its verb. A sentence like 'The stack of old magazines sits on the shelf' is correct — but many writers mistakenly write 'sit' because 'magazines' is the nearest plural noun. This worksheet gives sixth graders structured practice in cutting through that confusion. Students begin by identifying the true subject in complete sentences, then choose correct verb forms in multiple-choice items designed to mimic the most common errors, and finally rewrite flawed sentences and compose their own. The sheet targets Common Core Language Standard 6.1, which asks students to recognize and correct subject-verb agreement errors, including cases where intervening phrases create a false agreement signal.
Phrases Between Subject and Verb Worksheet — Grade 6
This worksheet tests whether you can find the true subject of a sentence even when a long phrase separates it from the verb. Work through each section carefully.
Remember
- The verb must agree with the subject of the sentence, not with any noun inside a prepositional phrase.
- A prepositional phrase starts with words like of, in, for, from, or with and cannot be the subject.
- Test: remove the phrase and check agreement. 'The box of nails sits' — box sits, not nails sits.
Part A — Find the True Subject
Circle the true subject in each sentence — the noun the verb must agree with, not any noun inside a phrase between them.
- 1.
The stack of old science textbooks on the library shelves needs to be reorganized before the semester ends.
- 2.
The results of the experiment that we conducted last Tuesday confirm our original hypothesis.
- 3.
A collection of rare stamps from countries across three continents belongs to my grandmother.
- 4.
The members of the committee appointed by the principal have reviewed every proposal carefully.
- 5.
The captain of the two teams competing in this year's district finals deserves special recognition.
- 6.
Each of the essays submitted by students in Mr. Okafor's advanced writing class requires a cover page.
Part B — Choose the Correct Verb
Choose the verb form that correctly agrees with the true subject, ignoring any nouns inside the phrase.
- 7.
The box of old photographs that my grandparents collected during their trip across Canada ____ on the top shelf.
- a)sits
- b)sit
- c)have been sitting
- 8.
The influence of social media platforms on young people around the world ____ been widely studied by researchers.
- a)has
- b)have
- c)had
- 9.
The noise from the construction crews working on several new buildings near our school ____ our concentration.
- a)disrupts
- b)disrupt
- c)are disrupting
- 10.
The notebooks belonging to every student in the two advanced history sections ____ to be labeled by Friday.
- a)needs
- b)need
- c)needed
- 11.
The schedule of events for the three cultural festivals held in our town every summer ____ posted online each April.
- a)is
- b)are
- c)have been
Part C — Fix the Agreement Error
Each sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error caused by a phrase between the subject and verb — rewrite it correctly.
- 12.
The display of ancient artifacts from three separate civilizations were moved to the new wing of the museum.
- 13.
The proposal written by leaders of the two student councils in our district have been approved by the board.
- 14.
The list of ingredients required for each of the three science demonstrations were distributed before class.
- 15.
The explanation of the rules governing both tournaments in the spring schedule confuse many new players.
- 16.
The purpose of the lessons that Ms. Ferreira designed for students in both grade levels remain unclear.
Part D — Write Your Own Sentence
Write your own sentence following the instructions in each prompt, making sure the verb agrees with the true subject.
- 17.
Write a sentence with a singular subject, a prepositional phrase containing a plural noun, and a verb that agrees with the singular subject.
- 18.
Write a sentence with a plural subject, a prepositional phrase containing a singular noun, and a verb that agrees with the plural subject.
Answer key
Part A — Find the True Subject
- 1.stack
- 2.results
- 3.collection
- 4.members
- 5.captain
- 6.each
Part B — Choose the Correct Verb
- 7.sits
- 8.has
- 9.disrupts
- 10.need
- 11.is
Part C — Fix the Agreement Error
- 12.The display of ancient artifacts from three separate civilizations was moved to the new wing of the museum.
- 13.The proposal written by leaders of the two student councils in our district has been approved by the board.
- 14.The list of ingredients required for each of the three science demonstrations was distributed before class.
- 15.The explanation of the rules governing both tournaments in the spring schedule confuses many new players.
- 16.The purpose of the lessons that Ms. Ferreira designed for students in both grade levels remains unclear.
Part D — Write Your Own Sentence
- 17.Example: The basket of ripe strawberries collected from gardens across the neighborhood sits on the kitchen counter.
- 18.Example: The windows along the south wall of the gymnasium face the outdoor track and field area.
What this worksheet teaches
- Identify the true subject in a sentence when a prepositional phrase separates it from the verb.
- Select the verb form that agrees with the true subject, ignoring misleading nouns in between.
- Rewrite and compose sentences that correctly apply the subject-verb agreement rule.
Notes for the grown-up
- Students often make the verb agree with the nearest noun — especially when the phrase contains a plural noun.
- Have the student bracket the prepositional phrase and read the sentence without it to hear the agreement clearly.
- A student ready to move on can explain in their own words why the verb form is correct, not just choose it.
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