Fill in the blanks with a verb that agrees with the subject.
1. Both of us ……………………….. present there.
Both of us is a plural expression; hence, the verb has to be in the plural form.
2. All of my friends ………………………… been invited to my party.
Use a plural verb after all.
3. Each one of these apples …………………………….. ripe.
Use a singular verb after each.
4. She and I ………………………….. working on a new project.
She and I is a plural expression.
5. Neither red nor black …………………………… me.
When we connect two singular subjects with neither/nor, the verb is singular.
6. Either Rita or Janet ……………………………. eaten the ice-cream.
When we connect two singular subjects with either/or, the verb is singular.
7. Neither my father nor my mother ……………………………. going to the party.
When we connect two singular subjects with neither/nor, the verb is singular.
8. Either you or I ………………………………… in the wrong.
When we connect two nouns with either/or, the verb agrees in number and person with the subject closest to it.
9. No news ……………………………….. bad news.
News is uncountable in English. It is used with a singular noun.
10. None of the boys ………………………………. wearing a cap.
Use a singular verb after none of.
11. Neither James nor his colleagues …………………………….. in the office.
When we connect a singular and a plural noun with neither/nor, the verb agrees with the noun closest to it.
12. My trousers ……………………………… blue in colour.
Use a plural verb with jeans, trousers, pants, scissors etc.
Answers
1. Both of us were present there.
2. All of my friends have been invited to my party.
3. Each one of these apples is ripe.
4. She and I are working on a new project.
5. Neither red nor black suits me.
6. Either Rita or Janet has eaten the ice-cream.
7. Neither my father nor my mother is going to the party.
8. Either you or I am in the wrong.
9. No news is bad news.
10. None of the boys was wearing a cap.
11. Neither James nor his colleagues are in the office.
12. My trousers are blue in colour.
