Part 2: Subject verb agreement Q&A Flashcards
- The team of engineers ___ working on the project diligently.
a) is
b) are
c) has
d) have
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “The team” is a collective noun, and collective nouns are typically treated as singular, so the correct verb is “is.”
- Neither of the students ___ prepared for the exam.
a) have
b) has
c) are
d) is
Answer: b) has
Explanation: “Neither” is a singular subject, so the correct verb is “has.”
- Many a student ___ surprised by the results.
a) have been
b) has been
c) are
d) were
Answer: b) has been
Explanation: “Many a student” is singular in meaning, so the correct verb is “has been.”
- The dogs and the cat ___ playing in the yard.
a) are
b) is
c) were
d) was
Answer: a) are
Explanation: When two subjects are connected by “and,” the verb is typically plural, so use “are.”
- One of the books ___ missing from the shelf.
a) have been
b) has been
c) are
d) were
Answer: b) has been
Explanation: “One of the books” is singular, so the correct verb is “has been.”
- Each of the candidates ___ submitted their resume.
a) has
b) have
c) is
d) are
Answer: a) has
Explanation: “Each” is a singular subject, so the correct verb is “has.”
- The box of chocolates ___ almost empty.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “The box of chocolates” is a singular subject, so the correct verb is “is.”
- Some of the cake ___ missing from the plate.
a) have been
b) has been
c) are
d) were
Answer: b) has been
Explanation: “Some of the cake” is singular, so the correct verb is “has been.”
- The committee ___ meeting tomorrow.
a) is
b) are
c) has
d) have
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “The committee” is a collective noun, and collective nouns are typically treated as singular, so the correct verb is “is.”
- The music in the background ___ beautiful.
a) sound
b) sounds
c) is sounding
d) were sounding
Answer: b) sounds
Explanation: “The music” is a singular subject, so the correct verb is “sounds.”
- Five dollars ___ a reasonable price for this item.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Five dollars” is a singular amount, so the correct verb is “is.”
- The news on the radio ___ always interesting.
a) have been
b) has been
c) are
d) were
Answer: b) has been
Explanation: “The news” is a singular noun, so the correct verb is “has been.”
- Many cars ___ parked in the lot.
a) have
b) has
c) are
d) were
Answer: a) have
Explanation: “Many cars” is a plural subject, so the correct verb is “have.”
- One of the students ___ late for class.
a) have been
b) has been
c) are
d) were
Answer: b) has been
Explanation: “One of the students” is singular, so the correct verb is “has been.”
- The price of tickets ___ increased this year.
a) have
b) has
c) are
d) were
Answer: b) has
Explanation: “The price” is a singular noun, so the correct verb is “has.”
- Neither the food nor the service ___ satisfactory.
a) have been
b) has been
c) are
d) were
Answer: b) has been
Explanation: When using “neither…nor,” the verb should agree with the closer subject, which is “service.”
- Both the cat and the kittens ___ adorable.
a) look
b) looks
c) are looking
d) is looking
Answer: a) look
Explanation: When “both…and” is used, the verb should be plural, so use “look.”
- The employees ___ to attend the conference.
a) need
b) needs
c) is needing
d) are needing
Answer: a) need
Explanation: “The employees” is a plural subject, so the correct verb is “need.”
- The quality of the products ___ consistently high.
a) vary
b) varies
c) are varying
d) is varying
Answer: b) varies
Explanation: “The quality” is a singular noun, so the correct verb is “varies.”
- Each of the options ___ a solution.
a) provide
b) provides
c) are providing
d) is providing
Answer: b) provides
Explanation: “Each” is a singular subject, so the correct verb is “provides.”
Question: Neither the teacher nor the students ______ satisfied with the test results.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: When “neither…nor” is used, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it, which is “teacher.” Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: The committee, along with the chairman, ______ the main speaker at the event.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “The committee,” the subject closest to the verb, is a collective noun treated as singular. Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: Neither of the options ______ satisfactory to the majority of voters.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Neither” makes the subject singular, so the correct verb is “is.”
Question: The box of chocolates, along with some flowers, ______ left on the doorstep.
a) was
b) were
c) is
d) are
Answer: a) was
Explanation: The subject closest to the verb is “box,” which is singular, so the correct choice is “was.”
Question: Not only the students but also the professor ______ attending the conference.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Not only…but also” requires the verb to agree with the subject closest to it, which is “professor.” Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: Each of the books on the shelf ______ valuable information.
a) contain
b) contains
c) containing
d) containes
Answer: b) contains
Explanation: “Each” is a singular subject, so the correct verb form is “contains.”
Question: The jury, despite their differences, ______ a unanimous decision.
a) makes
b) make
c) making
d) maked
Answer: b) make
Explanation: The subject here is “jury,” which is a collective noun treated as plural. Therefore, “make” is the correct choice.
Question: The majority of the data ______ consistent with the hypothesis.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: b) are
Explanation: “Majority” is a collective noun that can be treated as either singular or plural, but in this context, it is plural, so “are” is the correct choice.
Question: Neither the company nor the employees ______ happy with the recent layoffs.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: b) are
Explanation: When “neither…nor” connects two singular subjects, the verb should be plural, which is “are” in this case.
Question: Several problems with the machine ______ identified during the inspection.
a) has
b) have
c) is
d) are
Answer: b) have
Explanation: “Several problems” is a plural subject, so the correct verb form is “have.”
Question: The book, as well as the pen, ______ missing from the table.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: When “as well as” is used to add information, the verb agrees with the subject before it, which is “book.” Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: Ten dollars ______ too much to pay for a cup of coffee.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Ten dollars” is a singular amount, so the correct verb form is “is.”
Question: The sounds of laughter and joy ______ through the air.
a) echoes
b) echo
c) echoing
d) echoed
Answer: b) echo
Explanation: When two singular nouns connected by “and” are the subject, the verb should be plural, which is “echo” in this case.
Question: The price of houses in the city ______ steadily over the past year.
a) has risen
b) have risen
c) has raise
d) have raising
Answer: a) has risen
Explanation: “The price,” the singular subject, requires the singular verb form “has risen.”
Question: Both the mother and her children ______ to the park every weekend.
a) goes
b) go
c) going
d) goed
Answer: b) go
Explanation: When “both…and” is used, the verb should be plural, which is “go” in this case.
Question: The number of applicants ______ higher than expected.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “The number” is a singular subject, so the correct verb form is “is.”
Question: The committee members, including the chairman, ______ to attend the meeting tomorrow.
a) plan
b) plans
c) planning
d) planned
Answer: b) plans
Explanation: “The committee members,” a plural subject, requires the plural verb form “plans.”
Question: The quality of the products ______ over time.
a) vary
b) varies
c) varying
d) varie
Answer: b) varies
Explanation: “The quality,” a singular subject, requires the singular verb form “varies.”
Question: Each of the answers ______ a different perspective.
a) give
b) gives
c) giving
d) given
Answer: b) gives
Explanation: “Each” is a singular subject, so the correct verb form is “gives.”
Question: Neither the food nor the service ______ satisfactory at the restaurant.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: When “neither…nor” is used, the verb should agree with the closer subject, which is “service.” Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: The majority of the information ______ confidential.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Majority” can be treated as singular or plural, but in this context, it is singular, so “is” is the correct choice.
Question: The data from the experiment, along with the analysis, ______ inconclusive.
a) appear
b) appears
c) appearing
d) appeared
Answer: b) appears
Explanation: The subject closest to the verb is “data,” which is a singular noun, so “appears” is the correct choice.
Question: Neither the student nor the teacher ______ the answer to the difficult question.
a) knows
b) know
c) knowing
d) knew
Answer: a) knows
Explanation: When “neither…nor” connects two singular subjects, the verb should be singular, which is “knows” in this case.
Question: The book, along with the illustrations, ______ on the shelf.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “The book” is the subject closest to the verb and is singular, so “is” is the correct choice.
Question: The audience, as well as the performers, ______ excited about the upcoming concert.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: When “as well as” is used, the verb agrees with the subject before it, which is “audience.” Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: The list of items to be discussed at the meeting ______ long.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “The list,” a singular subject, requires the singular verb form “is.”
Question: Neither the cat nor the dog ______ in the yard.
a) play
b) plays
c) playing
d) played
Answer: b) plays
Explanation: When “neither…nor” connects two singular subjects, the verb should be singular, which is “plays” in this case.
Question: The details of the story, as well as the characters, ______ fascinating.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
answer: b) are
Explanation: When “as well as” is used, the verb agrees with the subject before it, which is “details.” Therefore, “are” is the correct choice.
Question: Ten miles ______ a long distance to run.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Ten miles” is a singular distance, so the correct verb form is “is.”
Question: The team, as well as the coach, ______ working hard to prepare for the championship.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: When “as well as” is used, the verb agrees with the subject before it, which is “team.” Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: Several pieces of information ______ missing from the report.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: b) are
Explanation: “Several pieces of information” is a plural subject, so the correct verb form is “are.”
Question: Not only the students but also the professor ______ in the auditorium.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Not only…but also” requires the verb to agree with the subject closest to it, which is “professor.” Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: The contents of the folder, as well as the documents, ______ missing.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: b) are
Explanation: When “as well as” is used, the verb agrees with the subject before it, which is “contents.” Therefore, “are” is the correct choice.
Question: The majority of the staff ______ their concerns.
a) voice
b) voices
c) voicing
d) voiced
Answer: a) voice
Explanation: “Majority” can be treated as singular or plural, but in this context, it is plural, so “voice” is the correct choice.
Question: Not only the book but also the magazine ______ on the shelf.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Not only…but also” requires the verb to agree with the subject closest to it, which is “magazine.” Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: The development of new technologies ______ rapidly.
a) occur
b) occurs
c) occuring
d) occurance
Answer: b) occurs
Explanation: “The development,” a singular subject, requires the singular verb form
Question: Several types of insects ______ in the garden.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: b) are
Explanation: “Several types of insects” is a plural subject, so the correct verb form is “are.”
Question: The collection of rare books ______ a valuable asset.
a) constitute
b) constitutes
c) constituting
d) constituted
Answer: b) constitutes
Explanation: “The collection,” a singular subject, requires the singular verb form “constitutes.”
Question: Each of the apples ______ perfectly ripe.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Each” is a singular subject, so the correct verb form is “is.”
Question: The news, along with the updates, ______ available online.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: When “as well as” is used, the verb agrees with the subject before it, which is “news.” Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
Question: Ten dollars ______ not enough to buy the concert tickets.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “Ten dollars” is a singular amount, so the correct verb form is “is.”
Question: The combination of flavors in the dish ______ exquisite.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: a) is
Explanation: “The combination,” a singular subject, requires the singular verb form “is.”
Question: Both the teacher and the students ______ well-prepared for the exam.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) were
Answer: b) are
Explanation: When “both…and” is used
