Subject-Verb Agreement Exercise and Practice with Explanation

Question 1: The team of engineers ____ working on a new project. a) is b) are c) has d) have Answer: a) is

Explanation: In this sentence, “team” is a collective noun and is treated as a single entity, so the correct verb is “is.”

Question 2: Neither the students nor the teacher ____ happy with the test results.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: When using “neither…nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closer to it, which is “students” in this case. Since “students” is plural, the correct verb is “are.”

Question 3: Each of the books ____ worth reading.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Each” is a singular pronoun, so the correct verb is “is.”

Question 4: The group of friends ____ going to the movies tonight.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: Similar to the first question, “group” is a collective noun and takes a singular verb.

Question 5: My collection of stamps ____ on display in the museum.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Collection” is a singular noun, so the correct verb is “is.”

Question 6: Each of the apples ____ rotten.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Each” makes the subject singular, so the correct verb is “is.”

Question 7: The news ____ shocking to everyone.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “News” is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.

Question 8: The committee ____ divided in its opinion.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Committee” is a collective noun, so the correct verb is “is.”

Question 9: Neither the cat nor the dogs ____ allowed in the house.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: The verb agrees with the subject closer to it, which is “dogs.” Since “dogs” is plural, the correct verb is “are.”

Question 10: A number of students ____ attending the seminar.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: b) are

Explanation: “A number of” is plural, so the correct verb is “are.”

Question 11: The company, along with its subsidiaries, ____ responsible for the project.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: The subject is “company,” and “subsidaries” is a parenthetical element that doesn’t affect the subject-verb agreement.

Question 12: Ten dollars ____ a reasonable price for that book.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Ten dollars” is treated as a singular amount, so the correct verb is “is.”

Question 13: The flock of birds ____ flying south for the winter.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Flock” is a collective noun, and it takes a singular verb.

Question 14: The variety of colours ____ stunning.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Variety” is singular, so the correct verb is “is.”

Question 15: Mathematics ____ my favorite subject.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Mathematics” is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.

Question 16: The number of accidents on this road ____ decreased over the years.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “The number of” is followed by a singular noun, so the correct verb is “is.”

Question 17: One of the apples ____ rotten.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “One” makes the subject singular, so the correct verb is “is.”

Question 18: The staff ____ working diligently to complete the project.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Staff” is a collective noun and takes a singular verb.

Question 19: Politics ____ a sensitive topic to discuss.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: a) is

Explanation: “Politics” is singular and takes a singular verb.

Question 20: The group of musicians ____ playing their instruments.

a) is

b) are

c) was

d) were

Answer: b) are

Explanation: Here, “musicians” is the subject, and it is plural, so the correct verb is “are.”

Remember that subject-verb agreement is essential to ensure grammatically correct sentences.

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