Fill in the blanks with a verb form that agrees with the subject.
1. The council ………………….. chosen its chairman.
A collective noun takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as a whole.
2. The majority ……………… against the verdict.
A collective noun takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as a whole.
3. The wages of sin …………………… death.
Some verbs are plural in form, but singular in number. Wages is one of them.
4. Each of the sisters ……………………. pretty.
We use a singular verb after each.
5. Neither of the men ………………… able to solve the puzzle.
We use a singular verb after either and neither.
6. Justice as well as mercy …………… it.
When another noun is joined to a singular noun by as well as, the verb is singular in number.
7. The quality of the mangoes …………….. not good.
Here we use a singular verb because the subject is the singular noun quality.
8. John as well as his team mates ………………. praise.
When another noun is joined to a singular noun by as well as, the verb is singular in number.
9. You, who ……………….. my friend, should stand by me.
The verb in the relative clause should agree with its antecedent in number and person.
10. Neither his father nor his mother ……………….. alive.
We use a singular verb after either and neither.
11. The jury ………………… divided in their opinion.
A collective noun usually takes a singular verb but when the reference is to the members of the group, it sometimes takes a plural verb.
12. I, who ……………….. your friend, will guard your interests.
The verb in the relative clause should agree with its antecedent in number and person.
Answers
1. The council has chosen its chairman.
2. The majority is against the verdict.
3. The wages of sin is death.
4. Each of the sisters is pretty.
5. Neither of the men was able to solve the puzzle.
6. Justice as well as mercy permits it.
7. The quality of the mangoes was not good.
8. John as well as his team mates deserves praise.
9. You, who are my friend, should stand by me.
10. Neither his father nor his mother is alive.
11. The jury are divided in their opinion.
12. I, who am your friend, will guard your interests.
