This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Subject-Verb Agreement – Set 2”.
1. A singular verb should be used for a collective noun, when the individuals in the collection are being referred to.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: For sentences denoting to the individuals in a collection, the verb should take the plural form. For example, “The leadership group were divided in their opinions”.
2. Complete the below sentence with proper agreement of the verb with the subject.
The Engineer and Scientist _________
a) has arrived
b) have arrived
c) were arrived
d) is arrived
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Explanation: Whenever the nouns in the sentence refer to a single person, the verb should be in singular form. But, the option ‘is’ though being singular is not appropriate to the tense.
3. Fill in the blank with the proper verb form.
The captain, with his players, _______ to be present at the press meet.
a) have
b) is
c) are
d) has been
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Explanation: Whenever words are connected to the singular subject using words such as ‘with, as well as etc.,’, the verb used should be in singular.
4. Identify the correct form of verb that fits in the sentence.
Neither mobile phone nor laptop ______ to be found there.
a) are
b) have
c) has been
d) was
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Explanation: The words ‘mobile phone’ and ‘laptop’ are singular subjects connected by ‘nor’. So, the verb should also be in singular form.
5. In which of the following cases does the verb takes singular form?
a) A sentence involving a collective noun in which the individuals of which it is composed are being referred to
b) A sentence with two subjects in which one of them is plural
c) A sentence with words such as ‘either’ or ‘neither’
d) When two singular nouns are connected by the word ‘and’
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Explanation: Sentences with the words ‘either’, ‘neither’, ‘each’, ‘everyone’ and ‘many a’ should always use singular verbs. All the other cases employ plural verbs.
6. Identify the correct form of verb to fill in the blank.
Each of these accessories _______ found in Ritchie Street.
a) is
b) are
c) were
d) has
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Explanation: Though the word ‘accessories’ might be in plural, the presence of word ‘each’ mandates the verb used to be singular.
7. Select the proper verb to fit the blank in the sentence given below.
Even five minutes ______ a long time when you are hungry and waiting for food.
a) was
b) is
c) are
d) were
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Explanation: The plural noun ‘minutes’ denotes a specific quantity i.e., time. So, the verb here is generally singular.
8. In which of the following sentences the verb does not agree with the subject?
a) The taste of the apples that you bought was not good
b) He and I were dancing all night
c) Physics is being taught in every school from primary itself
d) The jury is split on their verdict
View Answer
Explanation: Here the collective noun ‘jury’ is not being thought as a whole. The individual members are being referred here to be in disagreement on the verdict. So, a plural verb should be used here.
9. Which of the following verbs best fits the sentence given below?
The AN745 aircraft, with its crew, _____ lost.
a) are
b) have been
c) was
d) had
View Answer
Explanation: The word ‘crew’ is connected using the word ‘with’ to the singular subject ‘aircraft’, thus mandating the verb to be in singular. Thus ‘was’ is the appropriate answer.
10. Complete the below sentence with proper agreement of the verb with the subject.
The market cost of all these accessories ______ increased.
a) has
b) have
c) have been
d) were
View Answer
Explanation: Though the noun ‘accessories’ takes the plural form, the verb must be in agreement with the proper subject i.e., market cost. Thus, the singular verb ‘has’ is used.
11. Which of the following verbs fits the sentence and agrees with the subject?
The top management _______ divided on their suggestions regarding investment strategies.
a) is
b) are
c) is being
d) has been
View Answer
Explanation: The members in the top management are being referred to individually here. Thus, the plural verb ‘are’ is used.
12. Fill in the blank with the proper verb form.
The manager and cashier _______ suspected to be involved in the robbery.
a) are
b) were
c) is
d) has
View Answer
Explanation: The nouns ‘manager’ and ‘cashier’ refers to a single person, and so the verb should be in singular form. The option ‘has’ cannot be used here as it does not fit the sentence.
13. When the noun is plural and it denotes some specific quantity or amount, the verb should be also plural.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Whenever the noun denotes a specific quantity such as time, money, distance etc., the verb should take singular form only.
14. Select the proper verb to fit in the sentence.
In my brother ______ centered their care and their affection.
a) was
b) were
c) is
d) has
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Care’ and ‘affection’ are two singular nouns connected by the word ‘and’. Therefore, the verb takes the plural form ‘were’.
15. Complete the below sentence with one of the options given.
The following day every one of the students _________
a) was down with fever
b) were down with fever
c) have been down with fever
d) are down with fever
View Answer
Explanation: The sentence has the word ‘every one’. Therefore, the verb to be used should always be in singular.
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