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Phrases Between Subject and Verb Worksheet — Grade 7

Grade 7 grammar practice: identify the true subject across long prepositional phrases and choose the verb form that matches it, at an analysis level.

When a long prepositional phrase sits between the subject and the verb, it creates one of the most common subject-verb agreement errors in student writing. The noun inside that phrase is not the subject, even when it appears right next to the verb. This worksheet builds the analytical habit of identifying the true subject before selecting a verb form. Students begin by recognizing and labeling correct examples, move to choosing the right form to complete a sentence, then diagnose and repair errors in full sentences, and finally apply the rule to their own writing. Working through all four sections in order gives students a repeatable strategy they can transfer to their own essays and reports.

Phrases Between Subject and Verb Worksheet — Grade 7

Each question on this sheet tests whether you can find the true subject of a sentence even when a long phrase stands between it and the verb.

Remember

  • Find the true subject first: cross out any prepositional phrase between subject and verb, then match the verb to what remains.
  • A prepositional phrase (starting with of, in, from, by, between, among, for) cannot be the subject of the sentence.
  • Test your choice: 'The theory of the scientists is new' — theory is, not scientists is.

Part A — Find the True Subject and Its Verb

In each sentence, underline the true subject and circle the verb that agrees with it.

  1. 1.

    The delegate from the three northern provinces votes on behalf of all constituencies in that region.

  2. 2.

    The collection of hand-drawn maps from various expeditions across the continent sits in a climate-controlled vault.

  3. 3.

    The argument between the two coaches during the final quarter of the championship game remains unresolved.

  4. 4.

    The findings of the panel appointed to review school policies across five districts confirm the need for change.

  5. 5.

    The novel by several authors who collaborated on three previous projects appeals to a wide academic audience.

  6. 6.

    The roster of students enrolled in the two advanced science electives this semester includes several transfer students.

Part B — Choose the Correct Verb Form

Choose the correct present-tense form of the verb in parentheses to fill the blank in each sentence.

  1. 7.

    The report submitted by investigators from three separate departments ____ (demand) the board's attention immediately.

  2. 8.

    The behavior of students during the two unsupervised periods last week ____ (warrant) the administration's concern.

  3. 9.

    The influence of factors examined by researchers at several institutions ____ (shape) the final outcome significantly.

  4. 10.

    The testimony given by witnesses from three separate incidents ____ (require) careful examination by the jury.

  5. 11.

    The variety of topics in the two advanced reading units ____ (encourage) students to question what they read.

Part C — Repair the Agreement Error

Rewrite each sentence to correct the subject-verb agreement error, and do not change anything else.

  1. 12.

    The reputation of the two rival academies in our district have improved since the new curriculum was adopted.

  2. 13.

    The hypothesis put forward by the scientists at both research facilities seem unlikely to withstand peer review.

  3. 14.

    The solution to problems facing communities in three neighboring towns require immediate action from local officials.

  4. 15.

    The summary of arguments made by representatives from both sides of the debate were presented to the committee.

  5. 16.

    The purpose of the regulations from three different agencies remain poorly understood by most community members.

Part D — Write Your Own Sentence

Write an original sentence following the prompt, and underline the true subject in what you write.

  1. 17.

    Write a sentence with a singular subject separated from its verb by a phrase containing a plural noun.

  2. 18.

    Write a sentence with a plural subject and a prepositional phrase containing a singular noun before the verb.

Answer key

Part A — Find the True Subject and Its Verb

  1. 1.delegate, votes
  2. 2.collection, sits
  3. 3.argument, remains
  4. 4.findings, confirm
  5. 5.novel, appeals
  6. 6.roster, includes

Part B — Choose the Correct Verb Form

  1. 7.demands
  2. 8.warrants
  3. 9.shapes
  4. 10.requires
  5. 11.encourages

Part C — Repair the Agreement Error

  1. 12.The reputation of the two rival academies in our district has improved since the new curriculum was adopted.
  2. 13.The hypothesis put forward by the scientists at both research facilities seems unlikely to withstand peer review.
  3. 14.The solution to problems facing communities in three neighboring towns requires immediate action from local officials.
  4. 15.The summary of arguments made by representatives from both sides of the debate was presented to the committee.
  5. 16.The purpose of the regulations from three different agencies remains poorly understood by most community members.

Part D — Write Your Own Sentence

  1. 17.Example: The significance of the reports published by four separate research teams shapes current policy in this field.
  2. 18.Example: The authors of a popular handbook on grammar revise their examples each time a new edition is released.

What this worksheet teaches

  • Identify the true subject of a sentence when a prepositional phrase separates it from the verb.
  • Select the correct verb form by applying subject-verb agreement rules to complex sentences.
  • Explain in writing why a particular verb form agrees with the true subject of a sentence.

What is on the page

In Part C — Repair the Agreement Error, “The reputation of the two rival academies in our district have improved since the new curriculum was adopted.” is corrected in the key to “The reputation of the two rival academies in our district has improved since the new curriculum was adopted.”

Part D — Write Your Own Sentence gives the prompt “Write a sentence with a singular subject separated from its verb by a phrase containing a plural noun.” and prints a model answer in the key: “The significance of the reports published by four separate research teams shapes current policy in this field.”

The language it drills

“The delegate from the three northern provinces votes on behalf of all constituencies in that region.” carries two answers: “delegate” and “votes”.

Notes for the grown-up

  • Students most often choose the plural verb when the nearest noun before the verb is plural — watch for this pattern in every section.
  • Ask the student to physically cross out the prepositional phrase and read the sentence again; the right verb usually becomes obvious.
  • A student is ready to advance when they can name the true subject and state the rule without prompting before choosing the verb.

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All grade 7 worksheets →All subject-verb agreement worksheets →

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