Question

Tom's family (is, are) considering whether there (are, is) any affordable places to go on vacation in Europe.

Short answer

The correct sentence is: 'Tom's family is considering whether there are any affordable places to go on vacation in Europe.'

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Subject

Identify the subject in each part of the sentence. The phrase 'Tom's family' is one subject, and it's considered singular since it's referring to a group as a whole. The second subject is 'places', which is plural.

Identify the Correct Verb

Choose the form of the verb that agrees with the subject in number (singular or plural). In the first part of the sentence, the correct form of the verb is 'is', while in the second part, 'are' should be used to agree with the plural noun 'places'.

Insert the Correct Verb into the Sentence

Now insert the correct forms of the verb 'to be' into the sentence. The corrected sentence should read: 'Tom's family is considering whether there are any affordable places to go on vacation in Europe.'

Key concepts

Singular and Plural Subjects

Understanding singular and plural subjects is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences. A subject is singular when it refers to one person, place, thing, or a collective group acting as a single unit. For example, 'Tom's family' is a singular subject because it denotes one family operating as a whole.
On the other hand, a subject is plural when it refers to more than one. In our example sentence, 'places' is a plural subject because it refers to multiple locations. Knowing whether a subject is singular or plural determines the verb form we must use.

• Singular: Tom's family, the cat, the tree
• Plural: places, the cats, the trees

Distinguishing between singular and plural subjects is the first step towards proper subject-verb agreement.

Verb Conjugation

Verb conjugation involves altering the verb's form to match the subject in both number (singular or plural) and tense (past, present, future). For example, in the present tense, we use 'is' for singular subjects and 'are' for plural ones. Conjugation makes sure that the verb changes in line with who or what is performing the action.

• For singular subjects:
  Tom's family is considering a vacation.
• For plural subjects:
  Places are affordable.

Without correct conjugation, sentences may seem off or confusing, failing to transmit the intended message. Always ensure that your verb aligns with the subject's number.

Correct Verb Usage

Correct verb usage ensures that sentences are clear and make sense. It means selecting the right verb form to correspond with the subject and the action described. In our example, the verb usage aligns with subject number: 'is' matches the singular 'Tom's family,' and 'are' aligns with the plural 'places'. This agreement is vital for clarity.
Here are some tips for correct verb usage:

• Always identify whether the subject is singular or plural before choosing a verb.
• Ensure that the verb aligns not only in number but also in tense.
• If unsure, practice by reading the sentence aloud; sometimes, hearing it can make incorrect verb usage more apparent.

Correct verb usage is crucial not only for grammatical accuracy but also for effective communication. Take time to ensure each subject matches its verb.