The verb has to agree with the subject in number and person. Complete the following sentences using a verb form that agrees with the subject.
1Our audience ............... always been the affluent urban elite.
Wrong!
The singular collective noun "audience" takes the singular verb "has" here.
2The audience at the open-air stadium ............... not as large as had been expected.
Wrong!
The singular collective noun "audience" takes the singular verb "was" here.
3The audience ............... enthralled by her performance.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both are correct: use "was" when the audience is seen as one unit, or "were" (common in British English) when we think of the individual people in it.
4Audiences throughout the world ............... been captivated by Chaplin's films.
Wrong!
The plural noun "audiences" takes the plural verb "have".
5The public ............... stringent laws to deal with terrorists.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both are correct: the collective noun "public" can take a singular verb ("wants") when seen as one body, or a plural verb ("want"), which is common in British English.
6The public ............... not satisfied with the relief measures taken during the floods.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both are correct: the collective noun "public" can take a singular verb ("was") or a plural verb ("were"), which is common in British English when we think of the people in it.
7The team ............... practising at the stadium.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both are correct: the collective noun "team" can take a singular verb ("was") or a plural verb ("were"), which is common in British English.
8The team ............... leaving for Australia tomorrow.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both are correct: the collective noun "team" can take a singular verb ("is") or a plural verb ("are"), which is common in British English.
9A family with four children ............... next door.
Wrong!
The singular head noun "family" takes the singular verb "lives".
10My family ............... going to be there.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both are correct: the collective noun "family" can take a singular verb ("is") or a plural verb ("are"), which is common in British English when we think of the individual members.
Answers
- Our audience has always been the affluent urban elite.
- The audience at the open-air stadium was not as large as had been expected.
- The audience was / were enthralled by her performance.
- Audiences throughout the world have been captivated by Chaplin’s films.
- The public want / wants stringent laws to deal with terrorists.
- The public was / were not satisfied with the relief measures taken during the floods.
- The team was / were practising at the stadium.
- The team is / are leaving for Australia tomorrow.
- A family with four children lives next door.
- My family is / are going to be there.