Subject – Verb Agreement

Fill in the blanks with a verb that agrees with the subject.

1. He asked me whether either of the applicants ……………….. suitable.

was
were
We use a singular verb after either, neither, each, everyone and many a.

2. Each of these minerals …………………. found in India.

is
are
We use a singular verb after either, neither, each, everyone and many a.

3. Many a man ……………………….. died at sea.

has
have
We use a singular verb after either, neither, each, everyone and many a.

4. Either you or he ……………………… mistaken.

is
are
We use a singular verb after either, neither, each, everyone and many a.

5. Neither food nor water …………………….. given to the captives.

was
were
When two singular nouns are connected by neither...nor, the verb is singular.

6. Physics …………………….. a branch of science.

is
are

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 Subject – Verb Agreement

Names of subjects are always treated as singular.

7. The news ……………………….. too good to be true.

is
are
News is an uncountable noun in English and as such it is followed by a singular verb.

8. Plutarch’s Lives ……………………… an interesting story.

is
are
When the plural noun is the name of a book, magazine or movie, it is followed by a singular
verb.

9. The committee ……………………….. submitted its report.

has
have
Collective nouns are usually treated as singular.

10. Six miles …………………………… a long distance.

is
are
When the plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, the
verb is usually singular.

11. Justice as well as mercy …………………… it.

allows
allow
When two nouns are connected with as well as, the verb agrees with the first noun.

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 Subject – Verb Agreement

12. The house with its contents …………………….. insured.

was
were
When two nouns are connected with 'with', the verb agrees with the first noun.

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Answers
1. He asked me whether either of the applicants was suitable.
2. Each of these minerals is found in India.
3. Many a man has died at sea.
4. Either you or he is mistaken.
5. Neither food nor water was given to the captives.
6. Physics is a branch of science.
7. The news is too good to be true.
8. Plutarch’s Lives is an interesting story.
9. The committee has submitted its report.
10. Six miles is a long distance.
11. Justice as well as mercy allows it.
12. The house with its contents was insured.

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