This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Subject-Verb Agreement”.
1. Complete the below sentence with proper agreement of the verb with the subject.
My uncle and benefactor __________
a) has come
b) have come
c) were come
d) is come
View Answer
Explanation: Here the words ‘benefactor’ and ‘uncle’ refer to the same person. So, the verb should be in singular form. Thus ‘has’ will be the right answer.
2. Which of the following verbs best fits the sentence given below?
Either the executive or the assistant _____ been here.
a) have
b) has
c) was
d) are
View Answer
Explanation: Whenever two singular subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the singular verb should only be used. Hence, the correct answer appropriate to the tense is ‘has’.
3. When the word ‘and’ is used to join two or more singular nouns or pronouns, the verb should be in singular form.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The verb should take the plural form when two singular nouns are connected by ‘and’. For example, ‘’Thomas and I were playing in the backyard”.
4. Fill in the blank with the proper verb form.
The content of the papers _____ not good.
a) was
b) were
c) have been
d) are
View Answer
Explanation: The verb must always agree with its proper subject and not its nearest noun. Thus, here the subject is the ‘content’ and hence the verb must be singular. Out of the options given, ‘was’ is the only singular verb.
5. Identify the correct form of verb that fits in the sentence.
Coal and oil ______ considered to be non-renewable resources.
a) has been
b) was
c) is
d) are
View Answer
Explanation: The verb to be employed here has to be in plural form. ‘Coal’ and ‘oil’ are two singular nouns joined by a connector ‘and’. Thus, the plural verb ‘are’ has to be employed in such cases.
6. Which of the following cases given below uses a plural verb?
a) Two singular nouns are joined by using the word ‘and’
b) Words such as ‘with’, ‘as well as’ are used to join words to a singular subject
c) Two singular subjects joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’
d) Sentences using a collective noun in which the collection is thought as a whole
View Answer
Explanation: Plural verbs are used in sentences where two nouns or pronouns are joined together by ‘and’. In all the other options, the verb takes the singular form.
7. Identify the correct form of verb to fill in the blank.
The Comic Book Store, with its contents, ______ insured.
a) was
b) were
c) are
d) have been
View Answer
Explanation: Here the word ‘contents’ is joined to the singular subject ‘Comic Book Store’ using the word ‘with’. In such cases the verb should be put in the singular.
8.Complete the below sentence with proper agreement of the verb with the subject.
Neither the Headmaster nor the teachers _______________
a) are present at the award ceremony
b) was present at the award ceremony
c) is present at the award ceremony
d) have present at the award ceremony
View Answer
Explanation: Even though the subjects are connected by the word ‘nor’, one of the subjects is in plural form. Under such circumstances, the verb should also be in plural form.
9. Fill in the blank with the proper verb form.
Each of the wards in the emergency room _____ full.
a) is
b) are
c) were
d) were being
View Answer
Explanation: The words ‘either, neither, each, everyone’ should always be followed by a singular verb. Thus, the verb ‘is’ will be the appropriate answer.
10. Which of the following verbs best fits the sentence given below?
Every Engineer and every Doctor present at the conference ______ given a copy of proceedings.
a) was
b) have been
c) are
d) were
View Answer
Explanation: Here the nouns ‘Engineer’ and ‘Doctor’ are used along with the word ‘every’, thus referring to the individuals. So, the verb should also be in singular form.
11. A singular verb should be used for a collective noun, when the particular collection is considered as a whole.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: When the sentence refers to the collection as a whole, the verb should take the singular form only.
12. Use the correct form of verb to fill in the blank.
_____ your brother and sister at home?
a) Is
b) Are
c) Was
d) Were
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Brother’ and ‘Sister’ are two singular nouns connected by ‘and’. Thus, the verb should be in plural form.
13. Which of the following sentences does use the correct form of verb in accordance to the subject?
a) The jury has issued its judgement
b) Hunger Games was written by Suzanne Collins
c) His intellect on astronomical sciences is far beyond imagination
d) The Auditor and Advisor are dead
View Answer
Explanation: The words ‘auditor’ and ‘advisor’ refer to the same person and thus the singular verb ‘is’ should be used instead of ‘are’.
14. Identify the correct form of verb from the options to fill in the blank.
The news being telecasted about the MP ______ true.
a) are
b) have been
c) is
d) were
View Answer
Explanation: The word ‘news’ is a noun in plural form but singular in meaning. Therefore, the sentence takes a singular verb.
15. Complete the sentences accordingly so that the verb is in agreement with the subject.
Everyone of the workshops _________
a) are booked
b) have been booked
c) is booked
d) were booked
View Answer
Explanation: The sentence starts with the word ‘Everyone’, thus referring to singular meaning. Therefore, the verb should also be in singular form.
More English Grammar Exercises on Subject-Verb Agreement:
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