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Subject-Verb Agreement: Practice Questions with Answers

11 practice questions on Subject-Verb Agreement, with answers; most also have an explanation or a worked solution. Try each one before you open its answer.

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1. Q.1

   Choose the correct verb: The number of accidents on this road ___ increased this year. (A) have (B) has

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   Answer: has

   Solution:

   1. "The number of" names one specific count and is treated as singular, so it takes "has," unlike "a number of."

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2. Q.2

   Choose the correct verb: A number of students ___ absent today. (A) is (B) are

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   Answer: are

   Solution:

   1. "A number of" means "several" and is treated as plural, so it takes "are."

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3. Q.3

   Choose the correct verb: The committee ___ decided to postpone the meeting. (A) have (B) has

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   Answer: has

   Solution:

   1. "Committee" is a collective noun acting as a single unit here, so it takes the singular verb "has."

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4. Q.4

   Choose the correct verb: The teacher, along with her students, ___ visiting the museum today. (A) are (B) is

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   Answer: is

   Solution:

   1. The inserted phrase "along with her students" doesn’t change the verb’s number — the actual subject is still the singular "the teacher."

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5. Q.5

   Choose the correct verb: Neither the manager nor the employees ___ aware of the change. (A) is (B) are

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   Answer: are

   Solution:

   1. With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject — "employees" (plural) — not the farther one.

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6. Q.6

   Choose the correct verb: Each of the students ___ submitted their assignment. (A) have (B) has

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   Answer: has

   Solution:

   1. "Each" is an indefinite pronoun and is always singular, regardless of the plural noun ("students") that follows it.

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7. Q.7

   Choose the correct verb: The news ___ surprising to everyone. (A) are (B) is

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   Answer: is

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8. Q.8

   Choose the correct verb: Either the coach or the players ___ responsible for the decision. (A) is (B) are

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   Answer: are

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9. Q.9

   Choose the correct verb: One of the reasons for the delay ___ the bad weather. (A) are (B) is

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   Answer: is

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10. Q.10

    Choose the correct verb: Everybody in the class ___ excited about the trip. (A) are (B) is

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    Answer: is

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11. Q.11

    Choose the correct verb: Mathematics ___ my favourite subject. (A) are (B) is

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    Answer: is

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