grammar






 

Question by  burf (1)

Which is correct: Any test fails? OR Any test fail?

I can't tell which sounds right.

 
+8

Answer by  malone (4817)

Test is singular: any test fails. The construction is awkward. "Tests" do not fail. Tests are failed by whatever is tested. STUDENTS fail the test (when they don't read the instruction). A STUDENT fails the test (when he is absent a lot).

 
+5

Answer by  crawreb (37)

"Any test fails" is the correct sentence. Test is the subject of the sentence and "to fail" is the verb. "Test" is a singular noun, ergo the correct form of the verb "to fail" will be "fails."

 
+5

Answer by  patti (29325)

Test fails. One test (singular) fails (singular form of the verb). Isolate the subject/noun, which makes it easier to figure out if you should use the singular or plural verb.

 
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