Subject Verb Agreement
Fill in the blanks with a verb form that agrees with the subject.
1. The state of affairs …………………….. sure to cause her anxiety.
is
are
have
Here the subject is the singular noun state.
2. A writer and a speaker ……………………………. in that house.
live
lives
When you connect two singular subjects with and, they become plural and are followed by a
plural verb.
3. The introduction of reforms ………………………… greatly opposed by the
aristocracy.
was
were
Here the subject is the singular noun introduction; hence we use the singular verb.
4. Time and tide ……………………………. for none.
wait
waits
When two singular nouns together express one idea, the following verb is singular.
5. Bread and butter ………………………….. served for breakfast.
was
were
When two singular nouns together express one idea, the following verb is singular.
6. The horse and carriage ………………………… waiting at the door.
is
are
have
When two singular nouns together express one idea, the following verb is singular.
7. Slow and steady ……………………….. the race.
win
wins
When two singular nouns together express one idea, the following verb is singular.
8. …………………………… she know what she is doing?
Does
Do
We use does here because the subject is the singular pronoun she.
9. She ……………………………. one project when she started working on the
next.
hardly finished
had hardly finished
has hardly finished
We use the past perfect for the earlier of two past actions.
10. I ………………………………. since morning and I was getting tired.
have been working
had been working
have worked
11. Each man and each woman ………………………. a vote.
has
have
We use a singular verb after each.
12. Every child …………………………. love.
need
needs
We use a singular verb after each and every.
PLAY AGAIN !
Answers
1. The state of affairs is sure to cause her anxiety.
2. A writer and a speaker live in that house.
3. The introduction of reforms was greatly opposed by the aristocracy.
4. Time and tide waits for none.
5. Bread and butter was served for breakfast.
6. The horse and carriage is waiting at the door.
7. Slow and steady wins the race.
8. Does she know what she is doing?
9. She had hardly finished one project when she started working on the next.
10. I had been working since morning and I was getting tired.
11. Each man and each woman has a vote.
12. Every child needs love.