Complete the following sentences using a verb form that agrees with the subject in number and person.
1Here are two pieces of fabric. Each one ............... two meters long.
Wrong!
Use the singular verb "is" because "each one" refers to one piece.
2That woman ............... got two children, and both are girls.
Wrong!
Use "has" because "that woman" is a singular subject.
3Few girls in this village ............... to school.
Wrong!
Use "go" because "few girls" is a plural subject.
4Some economists believe that all ............... not well with the global economy.
Wrong!
Use "is" because "all" refers to the general situation here.
5He inherited a lot of wealth from his father, but now all ............... gone.
Wrong!
Use "is" because "all" refers to the whole amount of wealth.
6............... all of the invitees expected to turn up?
Wrong!
Use "Are" because "all of the invitees" refers to a plural group of people.
7I have two pens, but neither ............... well.
Wrong!
Use "writes" because "neither" is singular when it means not one of the two.
8"Which of these two flats would you like to buy?" "Either ............... me."
Wrong!
Use "suits" because "either" is singular when it means one or the other.
9Mr. Mathews is an advocate, but neither of his two sons ............... good at studies.
Wrong!
Use "is" because "neither of his two sons" is treated as singular in formal agreement.
10The two countries have been at war for three years now. Neither ............... to agree to a ceasefire.
Wrong!
Use "wants" because "neither" is singular when it refers to not one of two countries.
Answers
- Here are two pieces of fabric. Each one is two meters long.
- That woman has got two children, and both are girls.
- Few girls in this village go to school.
- Some economists believe that all is not well with the global economy.
- He inherited a lot of wealth from his father, but now all is gone.
- Are all of the invitees expected to turn up?
- I have two pens, but neither writes well.
- “Which of these two flats would you like to buy?” “Either suits me.”
- Mr. Mathews is an advocate, but neither of his two sons is good at studies.
- The two countries have been at war for three years now. Neither wants to agree to a ceasefire.
