Advanced Subject-Verb Agreement Challenge
Test your mastery with 50 expert-level questions. You have 30 minutes!
1. The ebb and flow of the tides _____ a phenomenon governed by the moon.
Rule: When two nouns joined by 'and' represent a single, composite idea (like 'ebb and flow' representing one cyclical process), they take a singular verb.
2. More than one politician _____ implicated in the scandal.
- have been
- were
- has been
- are being
Rule: The phrase 'more than one' is grammatically singular and takes a singular verb, despite its plural meaning.
3. The Prime Minister, and not his cabinet members, _____ the final decision.
- make
- are making
- makes
- have made
Rule: When a phrase set off by 'and not' follows a subject, it is parenthetical and does not affect the verb. The verb agrees with the first subject, 'The Prime Minister' (singular).
4. My glasses, which _____ new, are already scratched.
Rule: Nouns like 'glasses', 'trousers', 'scissors' are always plural and take a plural verb, even in a relative clause.
5. The sum and substance of the argument _____ that the project is not viable.
Rule: The idiomatic phrase 'the sum and substance' refers to a single idea (the essence) and therefore takes a singular verb.
6. What I need from you _____ your undivided attention and your full cooperation.
Rule: When a clause beginning with 'what' acts as the subject, it is treated as singular, even if the complement of the verb is plural.
7. The alumni of this university _____ gathering for a reunion.
Rule: 'Alumni' is the plural form of 'alumnus' (a male graduate) or 'alumna' (a female graduate) and requires a plural verb.
8. If I _____ you, I would invest in this opportunity without a second thought.
Rule (Subjunctive Mood): In hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions, the subjunctive verb 'were' is used for all subjects, including singular ones like 'I'.
9. It is you who _____ chosen for the leadership role.
- has been
- have been
- is
- are
Rule: In a relative clause, the verb agrees with the antecedent of the pronoun. Here, 'who' refers to 'you', which takes the plural form 'have'.
10. Neither of the paintings _____ sold at the auction.
Rule: The indefinite pronoun 'neither' (meaning 'not one nor the other' of two) is always singular and takes a singular verb.
11. A thousand kilometres _____ a short distance for a modern jet.
Rule: Expressions of distance, time, and money, when considered as a single unit, take a singular verb.
12. The data from the recent study _____ quite conclusive.
Rule: 'Data' is the plural form of 'datum'. In formal and scientific writing, it is treated as plural and takes a plural verb. (Note: 'is' is becoming common in informal use, but 'are' is grammatically correct.)
13. The intelligentsia of the country _____ not in favour of the new policy.
Rule: Collective nouns like 'intelligentsia' (referring to the intellectual class as a group) are treated as singular and take a singular verb. This is an exception to nouns like 'gentry' or 'clergy'.
14. The police _____ investigating the matter with great diligence.
Rule: The word 'police' is a collective noun that is always treated as plural and requires a plural verb.
15. Not one of the students _____ able to solve the complex problem.
Rule: The subject of the sentence is 'one', which is singular. The prepositional phrase 'of the students' does not affect the verb.
16. The only one of these marketing strategies that _____ to work is the social media campaign.
- seems
- seem
- are seeming
- have seemed
Rule: In the structure 'the only one of... that...', the verb in the relative clause agrees with 'one' (singular), not the plural noun. This is a key exception to the standard 'one of the... who/that' rule.
17. To complain at every opportunity _____ a very negative trait.
Rule: When an infinitive phrase ('To complain...') or a gerund phrase ('Complaining...') acts as the subject of the sentence, it takes a singular verb.
18. The chairman, as well as the board members, _____ worried about the company's future.
Rule: Intervening phrases like 'as well as' do not make the subject compound. The verb agrees with the main subject, 'The chairman' (singular).
19. There _____ been a number of objections raised against the new proposal.
Rule (Inverted Sentences): In sentences beginning with 'there', the subject follows the verb. The subject is 'a number of objections' (plural), so the verb must be plural ('have').
20. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry _____ given an invitation to the party.
Rule: When the word 'every' precedes a compound subject joined by 'and', the verb remains singular.
21. The criteria for judging the competition _____ announced yesterday.
Rule: 'Criteria' is the plural form of 'criterion'. It requires a plural verb.
22. The United States, despite its many states, _____ a single federal government.
- have
- has
- are having
- were having
Rule: The names of countries, even if they are plural in form (like 'The United States' or 'The Netherlands'), are treated as single entities and take a singular verb.
23. Slow and steady _____ the race.
- win
- wins
- are winning
- have won
Rule: This is a proverb where 'slow and steady' represents a single, unified quality. Therefore, it takes a singular verb.
24. A large percentage of the population _____ still unaware of these facts.
Rule (Percentages): With percentages, the verb agrees with the noun in the 'of' phrase. 'Population' is a collective noun treated as a single unit here, so the verb is singular.
25. It is recommended that every student _____ this book before the exam.
- reads
- read
- is reading
- has read
Rule (Subjunctive Mood): In clauses following verbs of recommendation, demand, or request (like 'It is recommended that...'), the base form of the verb (subjunctive) is used, not the indicative '-s' form.
26. Half of the students _____ from the northern states.
Rule (Fractions): With fractions, the verb agrees with the noun in the 'of' phrase. 'Students' is plural, so the verb must be plural ('are').
27. Each and every one of the proposals _____ carefully examined.
Rule: The phrase 'each and every one' emphasizes singularity. The subject is 'one', which is singular and requires a singular verb.
28. The phenomena observed during the experiment _____ truly astonishing.
Rule: 'Phenomena' is the plural form of the Greek-derived noun 'phenomenon'. It requires a plural verb.
29. A pack of wolves _____ seen near the village outskirts.
Rule: The subject is the collective noun 'pack' (singular), not 'wolves'. Therefore, the verb is singular.
30. He is the only one of the employees who _____ a promotion.
- deserves
- deserve
- are deserving
- have deserved
Rule: When the phrase 'the only one of' is used, the verb in the relative clause agrees with 'one' (singular). This contrasts with 'one of the employees who deserve...'.
31. Not the players, but their coach _____ to be blamed for the loss.
Rule (Proximity Rule): When subjects are joined by 'not... but', the verb agrees with the subject that is not negated (the one after 'but'). 'Their coach' is singular.
32. The linguistics of this ancient text _____ extremely complex.
Rule: When a noun ending in '-ics' refers to a field of study (like 'linguistics' or 'politics'), it is singular. However, if it refers to activities or qualities ('his politics are dirty'), it is plural. Here, it is a field of study.
33. Neither praise nor blame _____ to affect him.
- seem
- seems
- are seeming
- have seemed
Rule (Proximity Rule): With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the closer subject. 'Blame' is an uncountable, singular noun, so the verb is singular ('seems').
34. All of the information, including the minor details, _____ been verified.
Rule: With 'all of', the verb agrees with the noun in the 'of' phrase. 'Information' is singular (uncountable), so the verb is singular. The intervening phrase does not change this.
35. The cattle _____ grazing peacefully in the meadow.
Rule: Collective nouns like 'cattle', 'gentry', and 'police' do not have a singular form and are always treated as plural.
36. A body of volunteers _____ managing the entire event.
Rule: The subject is the collective noun 'body' (singular), not 'volunteers'. Therefore, the verb must be singular.
37. The circumstances surrounding the incident _____ suspicious.
Rule: The subject of the sentence is 'circumstances', which is a plural noun and requires a plural verb. The phrase 'surrounding the incident' is a modifier.
38. Fifty thousand rupees _____ paid to him as compensation.
Rule: When an amount of money is referred to as a single lump sum, it takes a singular verb.
39. The acoustics of the new concert hall _____ praised by critics.
- has been
- have been
- is
- was
Rule: When a noun ending in '-ics' refers to qualities or properties (like the sound properties of a hall), it is treated as plural. If it were the field of study ('Acoustics is a branch of physics'), it would be singular.
40. The writer and visionary _____ no more.
Rule: The use of a single article ('The') before 'writer' indicates that 'writer' and 'visionary' refer to the same person. Therefore, the subject is singular.
41. The team members, but not the captain, _____ responsible for the equipment.
Rule: In a 'not...but' construction, the verb agrees with the subject that is not negated. Here, the verb agrees with 'The team members' (plural).
42. What we thought were obstacles _____ actually opportunities in disguise.
Rule: This is complex. The subject is the entire clause 'What we thought were obstacles'. The key is the verb inside the clause ('were obstacles'), which implies the 'What' refers to plural items. This plurality carries over to the main verb.
43. The board of directors _____ meeting tomorrow to decide the issue.
Rule: The subject is 'board' (singular), not 'directors'. The collective noun 'board' is acting as a single unit, so it takes a singular verb.
44. A series of unfortunate events _____ led to this crisis.
Rule: The subject is 'series' (singular), which is the head of the noun phrase. The prepositional phrase 'of unfortunate events' does not change the subject's number.
45. Somebody, perhaps one of the cleaners, _____ left the door unlocked.
Rule: The subject is the indefinite pronoun 'Somebody', which is always singular. The intervening phrase does not affect the verb.
46. The general's tactics, not the soldiers' bravery, _____ what won the battle.
Rule: The subject is 'The general's tactics' (singular, as a concept) which is further confirmed by the clause complement 'what won the battle'. The phrase 'not the soldiers' bravery' is parenthetical.
47. Two and two _____ four.
- makes
- make
- is making
- has made
Rule: In mathematical calculations, subjects joined by 'and' are usually treated as plural. While 'makes' is sometimes used, 'make' is considered more grammatically standard.
48. The poor and the needy _____ our help and support.
- deserve
- deserves
- is deserving
- was deserving
Rule: When 'the' is used with adjectives like 'poor' and 'needy' to represent classes of people, the subject is plural.
49. Either the manager or his assistants _____ the keys to the safe.
- has
- have
- is having
- was having
Rule (Proximity Rule): With 'either...or', the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. 'His assistants' is plural, so the verb is plural ('have').
50. It is one of those problems that _____ no easy solution.
- has
- have
- is having
- was having
Rule: In the structure 'one of those... that...', the relative pronoun 'that' refers to the plural noun 'problems', not the singular 'one'. Therefore, the verb in the relative clause must be plural ('have').
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