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.
Q: The box of chocolates (was/were) left on the table.
A: The box of chocolates was left on the table.
Explanation: “Box” is singular, so the verb “was” should be singular.
Q: Fifty dollars (was/were) found in the park.
A: Fifty dollars were found in the park.
Explanation: “Dollars” is plural, so the verb should be plural as well.
Q: Neither of the books (is/are) interesting.
A: Neither of the books is interesting.
Explanation: When using “neither of,” the verb should agree with the singular noun “book.”
Q: His collection of stamps (is/are) impressive.
A: His collection of stamps is impressive.
Explanation: “Collection” is a singular noun, so the verb should be singular
Q: The number of applicants (has/have) increased.
A: The number of applicants has increased.
Explanation: “Number” is a singular noun, so the verb should agree and be singular.
Q: The majority of the voters (was/were) in favor of the candidate.
A: The majority of the voters were in favor of the candidate.
Explanation: “Majority” is singular, but when followed by “of the voters,” it takes a plural verb.
Q: The committee (meet/meets) once a month.
A: The committee meets once a month.
Explanation: “Committee” is a singular noun, so the verb should be singular.
Q: The family (is/are) going on vacation.
A: The family is going on vacation.
Explanation: “Family” is a singular noun, so the verb “is” should be singular.
Q: The number of students (is/are) decreasing.
A: The number of students is decreasing.
Explanation: “Number” is a singular noun, so the verb should be singular.
Q: Both the cat and the dogs (is/are) sleeping.
A: Both the cat and the dogs are sleeping.
Explanation: “Both…and” connects plural subjects, so the verb should be plural.
Q: The news of his success (was/were) shared with everyone.
A: The news of his success was shared with everyone.
Explanation: “News” is singular, so the verb should be singular as well.
Q: One of the boys (has/have) a guitar.
A: One of the boys has a guitar.
Explanation: “One of” followed by plural subjects takes a singular verb.
Q: A group of students (is/are) preparing for the exam.
A: A group of students is preparing for the exam.
Explanation: “Group” is a singular collective noun, so the verb should be singular.
Q: The collection of stamps (is/are) valuable.
A: The collection of stamps is valuable.
Explanation: “Collection” is a singular noun, so the verb should be singular.
Q: Fifty dollars (was/were) donated to charity.
A: Fifty dollars were donated to charity.
Explanation: “Dollars” is plural, so the verb should be plural as well.
Q: Neither of the cars (is/are) available.
A: Neither of the cars is available.
Explanation: When using “neither of,” the verb should agree with the singular noun “car.”
Q: My bag of cookies (was/were) stolen.
A: My bag of cookies was stolen.
Explanation: “Bag” is singular, so the verb “was” should be singular.
Q: The couple (is/are) planning their wedding.
A: The couple is planning their wedding.
Explanation: “Couple” is a singular noun, so the verb “is” should be singular.
Q: The number of applicants (has/have) decreased.
A: The number of applicants has decreased.
Explanation: “Number” is a singular noun, so the verb should agree and be singular.
Q: The majority of the jury (was/were) in favor of the defendant.
A: The majority of the jury was in favor of the defendant.
Explanation: “Majority” is singular, but when followed by “of the jury,” it takes a singular verb.
Q: The committee (meet/meets) regularly.
A: The committee meets regularly.
Explanation: “Committee” is a singular noun, so the verb should be singular.
Q: The family (is/are) celebrating their anniversary.
A: The family is celebrating their anniversary.
Explanation: “Family” is a singular noun, so the verb “is” should be singular.
Q: The number of students (is/are) increasing.
A: The number of students is increasing.
Explanation: “Number” is a singular noun, so the verb should be singular.
Q: Both the cat and the dogs (is/are) fed daily.
A: Both the cat and the dogs are fed daily.
Explanation: “Both…and” connects plural subjects, so the verb should be plural.
Q: The news of their engagement (was/were) announced.
A: The news of their engagement was announced.
Explanation: “News” is singular, so the verb should be singular as well.
Q: One of the boys (has/have) two sisters.
A: One of the boys has two sisters.
Explanation: “One of” followed by plural subjects takes a singular verb.
Q: A group of tourists (is/are) visiting the museum.
A: A group of tourists is visiting the museum.
Explanation: “Group” is a singular collective noun, so the verb should be singular.
Q: The collection of coins (is/are) rare.
A: The collection of coins is rare.
Explanation: “Collection” is a singular noun, so the verb should be singular.
