Fill in the blanks with a verb form that agrees with the subject.
1The council ............... chosen its chairman.
Wrong!
The singular collective noun "council" is treated as one body here, so "has" is correct.
2The majority ............... large enough to pass the motion.
Wrong!
Here "majority" means the size of the winning group as a single number, so the singular verb "is" is correct.
3The wages of sin ............... death.
Wrong!
In the fixed saying "The wages of sin is death," "is" is correct.
4Each of the sisters ............... pretty.
Wrong!
After "each of," the verb is singular, so "is" is correct.
5Neither of the men ............... able to solve the puzzle.
Wrong!
After "neither of," the verb is singular in this formal sentence, so "was" is correct.
6Justice as well as mercy ............... it.
Wrong!
The phrase "as well as mercy" does not make the subject plural, so "permits" is correct.
7The quality of the mangoes ............... not good.
Wrong!
The subject is the singular noun "quality," so "was" is correct.
8John as well as his teammates ............... praise.
Wrong!
The phrase "as well as his teammates" does not make the subject plural, so "deserves" is correct.
9You, who ............... my friend, should stand by me.
Wrong!
The verb in the relative clause agrees with "you," so "are" is correct.
10Neither his father nor his mother ............... alive.
Wrong!
With two singular subjects joined by "neither... nor," "is" is correct.
11The jury ............... divided in their opinion.
Wrong!
Here "jury" refers to the members as individuals, so "are" is correct.
12I, who ............... your friend, will guard your interests.
Wrong!
The verb in the relative clause agrees with "I," so "am" is correct.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- The council has chosen its chairman.
- The majority is large enough to pass the motion.
- The wages of sin is death.
- Each of the sisters is pretty.
- Neither of the men was able to solve the puzzle.
- Justice as well as mercy permits it.
- The quality of the mangoes was not good.
- John as well as his teammates deserves praise.
- You, who are my friend, should stand by me.
- Neither his father nor his mother is alive.
- The jury are divided in their opinion.
- I, who am your friend, will guard your interests.