- The family _____ going on vacation next week.
- are
- were
- is
- was
“Family” is a collective noun treated as a single unit, so it requires the singular verb “is.” The plural verbs “are” and “were” do not match this singular treatment. “Was” is past tense and does not fit the present/future context of the sentence.
- Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- The team have won their last five matches.
- The team has won their last five matches.
- The team have win their last five matches.
- The team did won their last five matches.
“Team” is a collective noun treated as singular, so it takes the singular verb “has won.” Option B correctly uses the singular form while keeping logical tense and structure.
- The group of engineers _____ the bridge design right now.
- is reviewing
- are reviewing
- review
- reviews
The subject is “group” (collective noun, singular). The prepositional phrase “of engineers” does not affect agreement. The singular “is reviewing” is correct.
- Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- Neither the manager nor the employees has approved the budget.
- Neither the manager nor the employees have approved the budget.
- Neither the manager nor the employees approves the budget.
- Neither the manager nor the employees is approving the budget.
In “neither…nor” constructions, the verb agrees with the nearer subject (“employees” – plural). “Have approved” correctly matches the plural nearer subject.
- Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- A number of applicants is waiting outside the office.
- A number of applicants are waiting outside the office.
- A number of applicants was waiting outside the office.
- A number of applicants has been waiting outside the office.
“A number of” means “several” and is always plural, so it requires “are waiting.” Singular verbs in the other options are incorrect.
- The number of mistakes in the report _____ surprisingly high.
- seem
- seems
- is seeming
- did seemed
“The number of” is always singular and requires the singular verb “seems.” Options A and B are incorrect forms, and D is wrong tense.
- Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- Everybody in the class have finished the assignment.
- Everybody in the class finish the assignment.
- Everybody in the class finishes the assignment early yesterday.
- Everybody in the class has finished the assignment.
“Everybody” is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular, so it takes “has finished.” The other options use plural or incorrect tense forms.
- The teacher, along with her students, _____ planning a science fair.
- are
- were
- have been
- is
The main subject is “teacher” (singular). The phrase “along with her students” does not affect agreement, so the singular “is” is correct.
- Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- Either the captain or the players is responsible for the equipment.
- Either the captain or the players was responsible for the equipment.
- Either the captain or the players are responsible for the equipment.
- Either the captain or the players has been responsible for the equipment.
In “either…or” constructions, the verb agrees with the nearer subject (“players” – plural). Only “are responsible” follows the proximity rule correctly.
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott _____ still widely read today.
- are
- were
- have been
- is
Book titles are treated as a single singular unit, so the singular verb “is” is required. The other options are plural or wrong tense.
- Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- Two hundred dollars were too much for that old bicycle.
- Two hundred dollars seem too much for that old bicycle.
- Two hundred dollars are too much for that old bicycle.
- Two hundred dollars is too much for that old bicycle.
Amounts of money are considered a single unit and take a singular verb. “Is” correctly treats “two hundred dollars” as one amount.
- The children who _____ playing in the park are my neighbors’ kids.
- is
- are
- was
- has been
The relative pronoun “who” refers to “children” (plural), so the plural verb “are” is required. The other options are singular.
- Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- Swimming long distances require a lot of training.
- Swimming long distances requiring a lot of training.
- Swimming long distances requires a lot of training.
- Swimming long distances require a lot of trainings.
A gerund phrase (“Swimming long distances”) functions as a singular subject and takes the singular verb “requires.” Option C is the only grammatically correct sentence.
- Not only the coach but also the athletes _____ early every morning.
- trains
- training
- train
- did trained
In “not only… but also,” the verb agrees with the nearer subject (“athletes” – plural). The plural “train” is correct.
- Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- Nobody on the team know the answer.
- The students on the team knows the answer.
- Nobody on the team knows the answer.
- Nobody on the team knowing the answer.
“Nobody” (like “everyone”, “somebody”, or “each person”) is always singular. It takes a singular verb in the present tense, usually ending in -s (knows). Only sentence C gets the agreement right and forms a complete, natural sentence.