English Grammar MCQs – Subject-Verb Agreement (Job Test Preparation in Pakistan)
Everyone in the hall ___ quiet when the speaker arrived.
The sentence uses 'everyone,' which is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'was' is the correct choice.
Neither my friends nor my brother ___ invited.
When using 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the closest subject. Here, 'brother' is singular, so 'was' is correct.
Each boy and girl ___ a uniform.
'Each' is a singular pronoun, so it requires a singular verb. Thus, 'wears' is the correct choice.
Ten rupees ___ not enough to buy a pen.
When referring to an amount of money as a single unit, a singular verb is used. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
The players, as well as the coach, ___ happy.
The subject 'players' is plural, and 'as well as' does not change the number of the subject. Thus, 'are' is correct.
The news about the accident ___ shocking.
'News' is a singular uncountable noun, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
Five kilometres ___ a long walk.
When referring to a distance as a single unit, a singular verb is used. Thus, 'is' is correct.
Mathematics ___ always been my weakest subject.
'Mathematics' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'has' is correct.
The trousers you bought ___ too tight.
'Trousers' is a plural noun, so it requires a plural verb. Thus, 'are' is correct.
His knowledge of computers ___ amazing.
'Knowledge' is a singular uncountable noun, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
Either my cousins or my uncle ___ coming.
When using 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the closest subject. Here, 'uncle' is singular, so 'is' is correct.
A group of students ___ waiting outside.
'A group' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
The pair of scissors ___ missing from the drawer.
'The pair' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Thus, 'is' is correct.
There ___ a pen and two books on the table.
When the sentence starts with 'there,' the verb agrees with the first subject mentioned. Here, 'a pen' is singular, so 'is' is correct.
The police ___ searching the area.
'Police' is a collective noun that can take a plural verb. Therefore, 'are' is correct.
Either Ali or his friends ___ responsible.
When using 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the closest subject. Here, 'friends' is plural, so 'are' is correct.
Every teacher and student ___ expected to attend.
'Every' is a singular pronoun, so it requires a singular verb. Thus, 'is' is the correct choice.
The audience ___ clapping loudly.
'Audience' is a collective noun that can take a plural verb. Therefore, 'are' is correct.
The herd of cows ___ grazing in the field.
'The herd' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
Several issues ___ still pending.
'Several issues' is a plural subject, so it requires a plural verb. Thus, 'are' is correct.
The number of complaints ___ increased.
'The number' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'has' is correct.
None of the advice ___ useful.
'None' can be singular or plural, but 'advice' is an uncountable noun, so a singular verb is used. Thus, 'is' is correct.
The jury ___ not divided this time.
'Jury' can be a singular or plural subject, but here it is treated as a singular unit. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
One of the players ___ injured.
'One' is a singular pronoun, so it requires a singular verb. Thus, 'was' is the correct choice.
Both my shoes ___ dirty.
'Both' indicates a plural subject, so it requires a plural verb. Thus, 'are' is correct.
The rest of the cake ___ gone.
'The rest' can be singular or plural, but 'cake' is a singular noun, so a singular verb is used. Thus, 'is' is correct.
Many of the students ___ already left.
'Many' indicates a plural subject, so it requires a plural verb. Thus, 'have' is correct.
The majority ___ in favour of the change.
'The majority' is a singular subject when referring to a collective group. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
Some of the water ___ spilled.
'Some' can be singular or plural, but 'water' is an uncountable noun, so a singular verb is used. Thus, 'has' is correct.
The police officer, along with his men, ___ present.
The subject 'police officer' is singular, and 'along with' does not change the number of the subject. Thus, 'was' is correct.
The clothes in that bag ___ dirty.
'Clothes' is a plural noun, so it requires a plural verb. Thus, 'are' is correct.
None of them ___ available now.
'None' can be singular or plural, but here it refers to 'them' as a singular unit. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
Twenty percent of the money ___ missing.
'Twenty percent' refers to a singular portion of the uncountable noun 'money,' so a singular verb is used. Thus, 'is' is correct.
The couple ___ travelling to Murree.
'Couple' can be treated as a plural subject when referring to two individuals. Therefore, 'are' is correct.
Not only the boy but also his friends ___ to blame.
When using 'not only...but also,' the verb agrees with the closest subject. Here, 'friends' is plural, so 'are' is correct.
All the evidence ___ against him.
'All the evidence' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
The cattle ___ grazing in the field.
'Cattle' is a plural noun, so it requires a plural verb. Thus, 'are' is correct.
More than one student ___ failed the test.
'More than one' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'has' is correct.
Half of the cake ___ already eaten.
'Half' refers to a singular portion of the singular noun 'cake,' so a singular verb is used. Thus, 'has' is correct.
Either tea or coffee ___ fine for me.
When using 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the closest subject. Here, both 'tea' and 'coffee' are singular, so 'is' is correct.
A number of questions ___ been asked.
'A number of' is plural because it refers to multiple questions. Thus, 'have' is correct.
The committee ___ meeting every week.
'Committee' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
The fleet of ships ___ leaving the harbor.
'The fleet' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
Some of the salt ___ spilled.
'Some' can be singular or plural, but 'salt' is an uncountable noun, so a singular verb is used. Thus, 'is' is correct.
The furniture in the room ___ old.
'Furniture' is a singular uncountable noun, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
All of the cake ___ eaten.
'All of the cake' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'was' is correct.
The books on the table ___ his.
'The books' is a plural subject, so it requires a plural verb. Thus, 'are' is correct.
None of these shirts ___ fit me.
'None' can be singular or plural, but here it refers to 'shirts' as a plural subject. Therefore, 'are' is correct.
A box of apples ___ on the counter.
'A box' is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is correct.
His behaviour, along with his words, ___ unacceptable.
The subject 'behaviour' is singular, and 'along with' does not change the number of the subject. Thus, 'is' is correct.