(with answers and explanations)
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of grammar that ensures the subject and verb in a sentence match in number. This means that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. Proper subject-verb agreement is essential for clarity and coherence in writing and speaking. STUDY THE RULES
Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form the brackets.
Questions:
| 1. | The audience _____ (is/are) clapping in rhythm. |
| 2. | Everybody _____ (enjoy/enjoys) the festival. |
| 3. | The dog, along with its puppies, _____ (was/were) found safe. |
| 4. | Both _____ (is/are) invited to the party. |
| 5. | Someone _____ (is/are) calling you. |
| 6. | Many _____ (was/were) surprised by the news. |
| 7. | Kevin and Sara _____ (is/are) coming to the party. |
| 8. | The captain, as well as the players, _____ (is/are) ready. |
| 9. | Either the teacher or the students _____ (is/are) going to present. |
| 10. | The team _____ (is/are) celebrating their victory. |
| 11. | Everyone _____ (has/have) completed the assignment. |
| 12. | Everything _____ (work/works) fine with the new system. |
| 13. | Few _____ (know/knows) the answer to the question. |
| 14. | Others _____ (think/thinks) differently about the issue. |
| 15. | Nothing _____ (seem/seems) right today. |
| 16. | Several _____ (is/are) interested in the proposal. |
| 17. | Neither of my friends in the last game _____ (was / were) injured. |
| 18. | Something _____ (is/are) bothering him. |
| 19. | A pack of wolves _____ (was/were) howling in the forest. |
| 20. | Neither the manager nor the employees _____ (want/wants) to work overtime. |
Answers:
| 1. | The audience is clapping in rhythm. Answer: is Explanation: “Audience” is a collective noun considered as a single unit, so the verb should be singular: “is.” |
| 2. | Everybody enjoys the festival. Answer: enjoys Explanation: “Everybody” is a singular indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be singular: “enjoys.” |
| 3. | The dog, along with its puppies, was found safe. Answer: was Explanation: The subject “dog” is singular, so the verb is singular: “was.” When the sentence consists of two subjects joined by “as well as” or “with”, the verb always agrees with the first subject. |
| 4. | Both are invited to the party. Answer: are Explanation: “Both” is a plural indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be plural: “are.” |
| 5. | Someone is calling you. Answer: is Explanation: “Someone” is a singular indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be singular: “is.” |
| 6. | Many were surprised by the news. Answer: were Explanation: “Many” is a plural indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be plural: “were.” |
| 7. | Kevin and Sara are coming to the party. Answer: are Explanation: “Kevin and Sara” form a compound subject, which is plural, so the verb should be plural: “are.” |
| 8. | The captain, as well as the players, is ready. Answer: is Explanation: The subject “captain” is singular, so the verb is singular: “is.” When the sentence consists of two subjects joined by “as well as” or “with”, the verb always agrees with the first subject. |
| 9. | Either the teacher or the students are going to present. Answer: are Explanation: When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closer to it (rule of proximity). “Students” is plural, so the verb should be plural: “are.” |
| 10. | The team is celebrating their victory. Answer: is Explanation: “Team” is a collective noun considered as a single unit, so the verb should be singular: “is.” |
| 11. | Everyone has completed the assignment. Answer: has Explanation: “Everyone” is a singular indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be singular: “has.” |
| 12. | Everything works fine with the new system. Answer: works Explanation: “Everything” is a singular indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be singular: “works.” |
| 13. | Few know the answer to the question. Answer: know Explanation: “Few” is a plural indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be plural: “know.” |
| 14. | Others think differently about the issue. Answer: think Explanation: “Others” is a plural indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be plural: “think.” |
| 15. | Nothing seems right today. Answer: seems Explanation: “Nothing” is a singular indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be singular: “seems.” |
| 16. | Several are interested in the proposal. Answer: are Explanation: “Several” is a plural indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be plural: “are.” |
| 17. | Neither of my friends in the last game was injured. Answer: was Explanation: “Neither” is a singular indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be singular: “was.” |
| 18. | Something is bothering him. Answer: is Explanation: “Something” is a singular indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be singular: “is.” |
| 19. | A pack of wolves was howling in the forest. Answer: was Explanation: Verb is singular for collective noun. “A pack of wolves” is a collective noun considered as a single unit, so the verb should be singular: “was.” |
| 20. | Neither the manager nor the employees want to work overtime. Answer: want Explanation: When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closer to it (rule of proximity). “Employees” is plural, so the verb should be plural: “want.” |