The basic rule of subject-verb agreement is simple. The verb has to agree with the subject in number and person. If the subject is singular, the verb has to be singular. In the same way, a plural subject requires a plural verb.
Fill in the blanks using a verb form that agrees with the subject.
1Plutarch's Lives ............... an interesting book.
Wrong!
The title "Plutarch's Lives" names one book, so the correct verb is "is".
2The United States ............... one of the most influential countries in the world.
Wrong!
The country name "The United States" is treated as singular here, so the correct verb is "is".
3A thousand dollars ............... a huge sum.
Wrong!
A sum of money is treated as one amount, so the correct verb is "is".
4Either you or I ............... mistaken.
Wrong!
With "either... or", the verb agrees with the nearer subject "I", so the correct verb is "am".
5The leader, as well as his followers, ............... arrested.
Wrong!
The main subject is singular, so the correct verb is "was".
6Wool, as well as cotton, ............... exported from India.
Wrong!
The main subject "Wool" is singular or uncountable, so the correct verb is "is".
7No news ............... good news.
Wrong!
The noun "news" is grammatically singular, so the correct verb is "is".
8The king, with his ministers, ............... coming.
Wrong!
The main subject is "The king", so the correct verb is "is".
9Time and tide ............... for none.
Wrong!
Two subjects joined by "and" ("time" and "tide") take a plural verb, as in the proverb "Time and tide wait for no man."
10The state of his affairs ............... a cause for concern.
Wrong!
The main subject is the singular noun "state", so the correct verb is "is".
Answers
- Plutarch’s Lives is an interesting book.
- The United States is one of the most influential countries in the world.
- A thousand dollars is a huge sum.
- Either you or I am mistaken.
- The leader, as well as his followers, was arrested.
- Wool, as well as cotton, is exported from India.
- No news is good news.
- The king, with his ministers, is coming.
- Time and tide wait for none.
- The state of his affairs is a cause for concern.