Subject – verb agreement

The verb should agree with the subject in number and person. That means if the subject is a
singular noun or pronoun, the verb should also be singular. Likewise, a plural subject requires
a plural verb.

Complete the following sentences with a verb that agrees with the subject.

1. Our team ………………… going to lose the match.

is
are
Collective nouns are normally used with singular verbs especially when we are talking about
the group as a whole.

2. A number of people ………………… tried to find the treasure.

has
have
Either could be used here
We normally use plural verbs with expressions like 'a number of people' or 'most of us'.

3. The majority of criminals …………………. non-violent.

is
are
Either could be used here.

4. A lot of social problems ………………… caused by poverty.

is
are
Either could be used here
If we use a plural noun after 'a lot of', the verb is also plural.

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 Subject – verb agreement

5. A couple of my friends ………………… going to open a travel agency.

is
are
Either could be used here

6. One of my friends ……………….. going to Venezuela.

is
are
Either could be used here
Here the subject is the singular expression 'one', so we need a singular verb here.

7. Wasps ..................... a serious problem in our garden.

is
are
The noun 'wasps' is plural and hence it requires a plural verb.

8. A good knowledge of three languages ..................... necessary for this

job.
is
are
Here the subject is the singular expression 'a good knowledge'.

9. The police ……………….. looking for a balding man in his forties.

is
are
Either could be used here
The noun 'police' is always used with plural verbs.

10. Many cattle ……………….. died because of the drought.

has

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 Subject – verb agreement

have
The noun cattle is plural and hence it requires a plural verb.

PLAY AGAIN !

Answers
1. Our team is going to lose the match.

2. A number of people have tried to find the treasure.

3. The majority of criminals are non-violent.

4. A lot of social problems are caused by poverty.

5. A couple of my friends are going to open a travel agency.

6. One of my friends is going to Venezuela.

7. Wasps are a serious problem in our garden.

8. A good knowledge of three languages is necessary for this job.

9. The police are looking for a balding man in his forties.

10. Many cattle have died because of the drought.

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