SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT Q&A Flashcards
Subject-verb agreement is an important grammar concept tested in civil service exams and various language proficiency tests. It involves ensuring that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number (singular or plural). Here are 50 sample questions with detailed explanations:
Q: She (run/runs) every day.
A: She runs every day.
Explanation: The subject “she” is singular, so the verb “runs” must also be singular to maintain subject-verb agreement.
Q: The team (is/are) practicing for the championship.
A: The team is practicing for the championship.
Explanation: “Team” is a collective noun that represents a single unit, so the singular verb “is” should be used.
Q: My friend and I (is/are) going to the party.
A: My friend and I are going to the party.
Explanation: When two or more subjects are connected by “and,” the verb should be plural, in this case, “are.”
Q: Neither the cat nor the dogs (has/have) eaten yet.
A: Neither the cat nor the dogs have eaten yet.
Explanation: The verb agrees with the closer subject, which is “dogs” in this case. Since “dogs” is plural, “have” is used.
Q: Everyone (has/have) completed the survey.
A: Everyone has completed the survey.
Explanation: “Everyone” is a singular pronoun, so it takes the singular verb “has.”
Q: Each of the students (was/were) given a certificate.
A: Each of the students was given a certificate.
Explanation: When using “each of,” the subject is singular, so the verb should also be singular.
Q: Ten dollars (is/are) the price of admission.
A: Ten dollars is the price of admission.
Explanation: “Ten dollars” is a singular amount, so the verb should be singular as well.
Q: The number of people attending (is/are) increasing.
A: The number of people attending is increasing.
Explanation: “Number” is a singular noun, so the verb should agree and be singular.
Q: The majority of the students (was/were) in favor of the proposal.
A: The majority of the students were in favor of the proposal.
Explanation: “Majority” is singular, but when followed by “of the students,” it takes a plural verb.
Q: A pair of shoes (was/were) left in the hallway.
A: A pair of shoes was left in the hallway.
Explanation: “Pair” is singular, so the verb should be singular as well.
Q: Mathematics (is/are) my favorite subject.
A: Mathematics is my favorite subject.
Explanation: The subject “mathematics” is singular, so the verb “is” should also be singular.
Q: Neither the car nor the bikes (is/are) available.
A: Neither the car nor the bikes are available.
Explanation: The verb agrees with the closer subject, which is “bikes” in this case. Since “bikes” is plural, “are” is used.
Q: My brother, along with his friends, (enjoy/enjoys) playing basketball.
A: My brother, along with his friends, enjoys playing basketball.
Explanation: The subject closest to the verb is “brother,” which is singular, so the verb “enjoys” should be singular.
Q: Everyone in the class (know/knows) the answer.
A: Everyone in the class knows the answer.
Explanation: “Everyone” is singular, so the verb “knows” should be singular.
Q: The news (was/were) shocking to everyone.
A: The news was shocking to everyone.
Explanation: “News” is singular, so the verb should be singular as well.
Q: Either John or his friends (is/are) coming to the party.
A: Either John or his friends are coming to the party.
Explanation: “Either…or” connects singular subjects, so the verb should be plural.
Q: Politics (is/are) an interesting topic.
A: Politics is an interesting topic.
Explanation: “Politics” is a singular subject, so the verb “is” should also be singular.
Q: The jury (deliberate/deliberates) on the case.
A: The jury deliberates on the case.
Explanation: “Jury” is a singular collective noun, so the verb should be singular.
