Practice Questions
Bank updating
Concept Explanation
The verb must agree in number with the grammatical subject, not the nearest noun (The list of items is long). Collective nouns, either/neither, and “each of” have special rules.
How to solve fast
- Strip prepositional phrases to find the true subject.
- Singular indefinite pronouns (everyone, each) take singular verbs.
- With “A or B”, the verb usually agrees with the nearer subject.
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Q1 EasyOne of the boys ___ missing.ExplanationOne of the + plural noun takes a singular verb.
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Q2 EasyNeither of the answers ___ correct.ExplanationNeither of takes a singular verb.
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Q3 EasyEach of the candidates ___ been called.ExplanationEach of takes a singular verb.
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Q4 EasyThe news ___ shocking.ExplanationNews is singular.
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Q5 EasyMathematics ___ his weakest subject.ExplanationMathematics takes a singular verb.
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Q6 EasyA pair of trousers ___ in the box.ExplanationPair is singular.
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Q7 EasyEither of the two keys ___ missing.ExplanationEither of takes a singular verb.
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Q8 EasyThe furniture ___ been moved.ExplanationFurniture is uncountable and singular.
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Q9 EasyEverybody ___ submitted the form.ExplanationEverybody is singular.
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Q10 EasySlow and steady ___ the race.ExplanationThe proverb treats the pair as one subject.
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Q11 EasyThe committee ___ submitted its report.ExplanationAs one body, committee takes a singular verb.
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Q12 EasyPolitics ___ a difficult subject.ExplanationPolitics as a field is singular.
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Q13 EasyThe pair of shoes ___ new.ExplanationPair is the singular head noun.
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Q14 EasySpectacles ___ necessary for him.ExplanationSpectacles / scissors / trousers are plural.
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Q15 MediumThe stack of reports ___ left on the desk.ExplanationStack is the singular head noun.
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Q16 MediumA number of students ___ absent.ExplanationA number of is plural.
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Q17 MediumThe number of vacancies ___ increased.ExplanationThe number of is singular.
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Q18 MediumMany a student ___ failed.ExplanationMany a + singular noun takes a singular verb.
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Q19 MediumEither the intern or the clerks ___ signing today.ExplanationThe nearer subject clerks is plural.
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Q20 MediumTen kilometres ___ a long walk.ExplanationA distance as one unit is singular.
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Q21 MediumThe manager as well as the interns ___ attending.ExplanationAs well as does not make the subject plural.
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Q22 MediumNeither the files nor the folder ___ on the desk.ExplanationThe verb agrees with the nearer subject folder.
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Q23 MediumNeither the folder nor the files ___ on the desk.ExplanationThe nearer subject files is plural.
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Q24 MediumThe team of engineers ___ assigned to the bridge.ExplanationThe head noun team is singular here.
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Q25 MediumNone of the equipment ___ damaged.ExplanationEquipment is uncountable.
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Q26 MediumBread and butter ___ his usual breakfast.ExplanationA paired dish as one idea is singular.
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Q27 MediumNone of the milk ___ left.ExplanationNone of + uncountable noun is singular.
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Q28 MediumNone of the books ___ useful.ExplanationNone of + plural countable noun is often plural in exam keys.
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Q29 MediumTwo and two ___ four.ExplanationExam keys commonly treat two and two as a plural subject: make four.
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Q30 MediumThe wages of the staff ___ been raised.ExplanationWages is plural.
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Q31 MediumNot only the players but also the coach ___ late.ExplanationThe verb agrees with the nearer subject coach.
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Q32 MediumEach boy and each girl ___ a form.ExplanationEach … and each … takes a singular verb.
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Q33 MediumThe majority of the workers ___ on strike.ExplanationMajority of + plural noun is usually plural.
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Q34 MediumFifty percent of the work ___ complete.ExplanationPercent of + uncountable noun is singular.
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Q35 MediumFifty percent of the workers ___ present.ExplanationPercent of + plural noun is plural.
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Q36 MediumThe variety of options ___ surprising.ExplanationVariety is the singular head noun.
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Q37 HardThe committee ___ divided in its views. (members disagree)ExplanationWhen members act separately, a collective noun may take a plural verb.
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Q38 HardThe jury ___ still arguing among themselves.ExplanationAmong themselves shows members acting separately.
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Q39 HardThere ___ a book and two pens on the desk.ExplanationPlacement keys often agree with the nearest noun after there: is a book …
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Q40 HardMore than one student ___ absent.ExplanationMore than one + singular noun takes a singular verb.