The verb should agree with the subject in number and person. That means if the subject is a singular noun or pronoun, the verb should also be singular. Likewise, a plural subject requires a plural verb.
Complete the following sentences with a verb that agrees with the subject.
1Our team ............... going to lose the match. It hasn't won a single game all season.
Wrong!
Use "is" because the team is treated as one unit here, as the singular pronoun "it" in the next sentence shows. In British English "are" is possible when the team is seen as a group of players, but then we would say "they", not "it".
2A number of people ............... tried to find the treasure.
Wrong!
Use "have" because "a number of people" takes a plural verb.
3The majority of criminals ............... non-violent.
Wrong!
Use "are" because "the majority of criminals" refers to many people.
4A lot of social problems ............... caused by poverty.
Wrong!
Use "are" because the subject "social problems" is plural.
5A couple of my friends ............... going to open a travel agency.
Wrong!
Use "are" because "a couple of my friends" means two friends.
6One of my friends ............... going to Venezuela.
Wrong!
Use "is" because the head of the subject is the singular word "one".
7Wasps ............... a serious problem in our garden.
Wrong!
Use "are" because "wasps" is plural.
8A good knowledge of three languages ............... necessary for this job.
Wrong!
Use "is" because the head noun "knowledge" is singular.
9The police ............... looking for a balding man in his forties.
Wrong!
Use "are" because "police" is used with a plural verb.
10Many cattle ............... died because of the drought.
Wrong!
Use "have" because "cattle" is a plural noun.
Answers
- Our team is going to lose the match. It hasn’t won a single game all season.
- A number of people have tried to find the treasure.
- The majority of criminals are non-violent.
- A lot of social problems are caused by poverty.
- A couple of my friends are going to open a travel agency.
- One of my friends is going to Venezuela.
- Wasps are a serious problem in our garden.
- A good knowledge of three languages is necessary for this job.
- The police are looking for a balding man in his forties.
- Many cattle have died because of the drought.