Subject Verb Agreement Exercise: Best 50 MCQs with Answers

A Comprehensive Grammar of Current English. 50 MCQs in Subject Verb Agreement Exercise with answers PDF.

Subject Verb Agreement EXERCISE-1

Use the appropriate word given in brackets to complete the sentence:

1. The jury ____ divided in their opinion. (is/are)
2. No news ____ good news. (is/are)
3. The man and the women ____ absconded. (have/has)
4. The three musketeers ____ written by Dumas. (is/was)
5. None but the brave ____ the honour. (deserves/deserve)
6. Either of the applicants ____ suitable. (was/were)
7. The quality of the clothes ____ not good. (was/were)
8. Neither food nor water ____ found there. (was/were)
9. Bread and butter ____ his only food. (is/are)
10. All possible means ____ been tried. (have/has)

ANSWER:- Subject Verb Agreement EXERCISE-1

1. is
2. is
3. have
4. is
5. deserves
6. was
7. was
8. was
9. is
10. have

Subject Verb Agreement Exercise-2

Strike out the wrong words in the following sentences:

1. (Neither/none) of them (was, were) absent.
2. The horse and carriage (are/is) ready.
3. Curry and rice (were/was) his favourite food.
4. Your car and mine (is/are) both at the door.
5. Eight miles (are/is) a long distance.
6. Neither Rama nor Krishna (are/is) guilty.
7. The house with its furniture (was/were) sold.
8. The ship with its crew (were/was) lost.
9. The state of affairs in the country (were/was) such as to cause anxiety to the Government.
10. Each of the suspected men (was/were) arrested.
11. Every passenger (carry/carries) (their/his) luggage.
12. Neither of the explanations (are/is) to the point.
13. The chairman as well as members (attend/attends) the meeting.
14. Five and five (makes/make) ten.
15. The army (are/is) under orders to march.
16. Nothing but idle talk (please/pleases) him.
17. Neither he nor I (are/am) in the wrong.
18. My friends as well as I (were/was) honoured.

Solutions: Subject Verb Agreement Exercise-2

1. (Neither/none) of them was absent.
2. The horse and carriage is ready.
3. Curry and rice was his favorite food.
4. Your car and mine are both at the door.
5. Eight miles is a long distance .
6. Neither Rama nor Krishna is guilty.
7. The house with its furniture was sold.
8. The ship with its crew was lost.
9. The state of affairs in the country was such as to cause anxiety to the Government.
10. Each of the suspected men was arrested.
11. Every passenger carries his luggage.
12. Neither of the explanations is to the point.
13. The chairman as well as members attends the meeting.
14. Five and five make ten.
15. The army is under orders to march.
16. Nothing but idle talk pleases him.
17. Neither he nor I am in the wrong.
18. My friends as well as I were honored.

Subject Verb Agreement Exercise-3

In each of the following sentences, supply a Verb in agreement with its subject:

1. The jury ………………. divided in their opinions.
2. The Three Musketeers ………………. written by Dumas.
3. Either he or you ………………. at the top of the list of selected candidates.
4. The horse and cart ………………. at the door.
5. Fire and water ………………. not agree.
6. His means ………………. small.
7. Neither I nor he ………………. responsible.
8. His friends as well as he ………………. insulted.
9. Two and two ………………. four.
10. Three parts of the business ………………. left for you to do.
11. One hundred paise ………………. a rupee.
12. Neither William nor Bevins ………………. been invited.
13. A number of boys ………………. caught picking apples.
14. Every one of them ………………. honest.
15. The poet and philosopher ………………. dead.

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Solutions: Subject Verb Agreement Exercise-3

Supply a Verb in agreement with its subject:

1. The jury are divided in their opinions.
2. The Three Musketeers was written by Dumas.
3. Either he or you are at the top of the list of selected candidates.
4. The horse and cart is at the door.
5. Fire and water do not agree.
6. His means is small.
7. Neither I nor he is responsible.
8. His friends as well as he are insulted.
9. Two and two make four.
10. Three parts of the business are left for you to do.
11. One hundred paise makes a rupee.
12. Neither William nor Bevins has been invited.
13. A number of boys were caught picking apples.
14. Every one of them is honest.
15. The poet and philosopher is dead.

Comprehensive Discussion on the Use of Collective Nouns with Singular and Plural Verbs

Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, or things considered as a single unit. However, the way they are perceived in a sentence determines whether they take a singular verb (indicating a unified entity) or a plural verb (emphasizing the individuals within the group). The nuances of this rule are essential for maintaining clarity and precision in writing and speech. Below is an in-depth analysis of the rules and examples provided in the text.

General Rule

• A collective noun takes a singular verb when the group is thought of as a single entity or whole, performing an action together in unison.
• A plural verb is used when the focus shifts to the individual members of the group, highlighting their separate actions or characteristics.

Examples and Detailed Analysis

1. The Mob
   • “The mob (i.e., as a single body) has gathered quickly.”
     • In this sentence, the mob is treated as one cohesive unit acting together. The singular verb “has” underscores the idea that the group is performing a single action collectively.
     • Example Expansion: “The mob has expressed its anger at the decision.”
       Here, “its” further reinforces the idea of the mob being a single entity.
   • “The mob (i.e., individuals of the mob) were scattered in all directions.”
     • In this case, the focus shifts to the individual members of the mob, each moving in different directions. The plural verb “were” highlights the separate actions of the individuals rather than a unified group movement.
     • Example Expansion: “The mob were shouting at different intervals, each expressing unique grievances.”

2. The Jury
   • “The jury (i.e., as one body) selected its chairman.”
     • Here, the jury is perceived as a single decision-making entity. The singular verb “selected” and the pronoun “its” emphasize the collective action of the jury as a whole.
     • Example Expansion: “The jury has reached its verdict after careful deliberation.”
       This sentence again treats the jury as a unified body making a collective decision.
   • “The jury (i.e., members of the jury) were divided in their opinions.”
     • This sentence shifts the focus to the individual members of the jury, each holding differing opinions. The plural verb “were” signals that the jury is not acting as one but is instead split.
     • Example Expansion: “The jury were arguing over the evidence, each member presenting unique perspectives.”
       This highlights the disunity among the group members.

3. The Government
   • “The Government has introduced a Bill.”
     • The government is treated as a single entity or institution. The singular verb “has” reflects that the action is being carried out by the organization as a whole.
     • Example Expansion: “The Government has announced its policies for economic reform.”
       This portrays the government as a unified body responsible for the action.
   • “The Government were hopelessly undecided.”
     • Here, the government is viewed as a collection of individuals, each with differing opinions or actions. The plural verb “were” conveys the lack of agreement among its members.
     • Example Expansion: “The Government were debating internally, with each minister proposing conflicting solutions.”

4. A Number of Patriots

• “A number of patriots have been imprisoned.”
  • The phrase “a number of” inherently refers to multiple individuals, necessitating the use of a plural verb. Here, the focus is on the individual patriots rather than the group as a unified entity.
  • Example Expansion: “A number of students have joined the protest, each bringing unique demands.”
    This continues to treat the subject as a plural collection of individuals.

Key Insights and Interpretations

1. Singular vs. Plural Usage:
   • Singular verbs emphasize unity and collective action. For example, when a collective noun acts as one entity (e.g., “The team has won the match.”), the singular form is appropriate.
   • Plural verbs highlight individuality and separate actions or characteristics. For instance, when the group’s members act independently (e.g., “The team are celebrating in different ways.”), the plural form is preferred.
2. Contextual Flexibility:
   • The same collective noun can be paired with either a singular or plural verb, depending on the writer’s intent and the context. This flexibility allows for nuanced expression but requires careful attention to clarity and consistency.
3. Implications in Formal Writing:
   • In formal and legal writing, such as government policies or court judgments, the choice between singular and plural verbs can significantly affect the interpretation of statements. For example, “The board has approved the policy.” implies unanimous approval, while “The board were divided in their decision.” suggests disagreement among members.
4. Regional Variations:
   • It is worth noting that British and American English may treat collective nouns differently. British English often uses plural verbs with collective nouns (e.g., “The team are winning.”), whereas American English typically uses singular verbs (e.g., “The team is winning.”). Awareness of these variations is crucial for writers targeting specific audiences.

Practical Application and Recommendations

1. Clarity of Thought:
   • When deciding whether to use a singular or plural verb, ask yourself: “Am I referring to the group as a whole, or to its individual members?” This simple question can guide your choice.
2. Consistency:
   • Maintain consistency in your use of singular or plural verbs throughout a sentence or paragraph to avoid confusing your readers.
3. Audience Awareness:
   • Consider your audience and the conventions of the English variety you are using. Tailor your usage accordingly, especially in professional or academic contexts.
4. Examples in Writing:
   • Use real-world scenarios to practice this distinction. For example:
     • Singular: “The committee has approved the new budget.”
     • Plural: “The committee were debating late into the night.”

Conclusion

The distinction between singular and plural verbs with collective nouns is subtle but significant. It provides a powerful tool for precise and effective communication. By understanding the context and intent behind a statement, writers can ensure their meaning is conveyed accurately. This flexibility in English grammar showcases its richness and adaptability, making it essential for both learners and professionals to master. Let me know if you’d like further clarifications or tailored examples!

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