1The long and the short of the matter ............... that we have been betrayed.
Wrong!
Use the singular verb "is" because "the long and the short of the matter" refers to one main point.
2The chairman and the secretary ............... present.
Wrong!
Use the plural verb "were" because "the chairman and the secretary" names two people.
3No nook or corner ............... left unexplored.
Wrong!
Use the singular verb "was" because "no nook or corner" takes a singular verb here.
4Neither Sam nor his brother ............... present there.
Wrong!
Use "was" because with "neither... nor," the verb agrees with the nearer singular subject "his brother."
5Does anyone ............... where Celia lives?
Wrong!
Use the base verb "know" after the auxiliary "does."
6............... she in love with somebody else?
Wrong!
Use "Is" because the subject "she" needs the singular form of "be" in this question.
7He and I ............... birds of the same feather.
Wrong!
Use "are" because the compound subject "He and I" is plural.
8Everybody ............... frustrated by the delay.
Wrong!
Use "was" because "everybody" takes a singular verb.
9Tell the children to raise their ...............
Wrong!
Use the plural noun "hands" because "the children" refers to more than one child.
10Many people lost their ............... in the accident.
Wrong!
Use the plural noun "lives" because "many people" refers to more than one person.
11Neither the minister nor his secretary ............... able to give a satisfactory explanation.
Wrong!
Use "was" because with "neither... nor," the verb agrees with the nearer singular subject "his secretary."
12A good knowledge of at least three languages ............... essential for this job.
Wrong!
Use "is" because the main subject "knowledge" is singular.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- The long and the short of the matter is that we have been betrayed.
- The chairman and the secretary were present.
- No nook or corner was left unexplored.
- Neither Sam nor his brother was present there.
- Does anyone know where Celia lives?
- Is she in love with somebody else?
- He and I are birds of the same feather.
- Everybody was frustrated by the delay.
- Tell the children to raise their hands
- Many people lost their lives in the accident.
- Neither the minister nor his secretary was able to give a satisfactory explanation.
- A good knowledge of at least three languages is essential for this job.