Fill in the blanks with a verb form that agrees with the subject.
1The orator and philosopher ............... dead.
Wrong!
Because "The orator and philosopher" refers to one person, the singular verb "is" is correct.
2The artist and the poet ............... arrived.
Wrong!
Because "The artist and the poet" refers to two people, the plural auxiliary "have" is correct.
3The long and the short of the matter ............... that we cannot continue like this.
Wrong!
The expression "The long and the short of the matter" is treated as one idea, so "is" is correct.
4Every man and woman ............... a vote.
Wrong!
After "Every man and woman", the singular verb "has" is correct.
5Neither Peter nor Harry ............... passed the exam.
Wrong!
With two singular subjects joined by "neither... nor", the singular auxiliary "has" is correct.
6No nook or corner ............... left unexplored.
Wrong!
With two singular subjects joined by "or", the singular verb "was" is correct.
7Either John or Sam ............... to quit.
Wrong!
With two singular subjects joined by "either... or", the singular verb "has" is correct.
8Either you or I ............... mistaken.
Wrong!
After "Either you or I", the verb agrees with the nearer subject "I", so "am" is correct.
9He is not to blame, nor ............... you.
Wrong!
After "nor", the verb agrees with the subject "you", so "are" is correct.
10You and he ............... birds of the same feather.
Wrong!
The compound subject "You and he" needs the plural verb "are".
11My father and I ............... lived here for many years.
Wrong!
The compound subject "My father and I" needs the plural auxiliary "have".
12Neither praise nor censure ............... to bother him.
Wrong!
With two singular abstract nouns joined by "neither... nor", the singular verb "seems" is correct.
Answers
- The orator and philosopher is dead.
- The artist and the poet have arrived.
- The long and the short of the matter is that we cannot continue like this.
- Every man and woman has a vote.
- Neither Peter nor Harry has passed the exam.
- No nook or corner was left unexplored.
- Either John or Sam has to quit.
- Either you or I am mistaken.
- He is not to blame, nor are you.
- You and he are birds of the same feather.
- My father and I have lived here for many years.
- Neither praise nor censure seems to bother him.