UNIT I

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

1. Clandestine - secret
2. Circumspect: to examine thoroughly.
3. Parity: the state of being equal in status, amount, or degree.
4. Devastated -destroy or ruin
5. Consensus: general agreement by a group

What is subject
The subject is the doer of the action.Alternatively, it can be described as
who or what the sentence is about .It is important for you to be able to
identify the subject in the sentence.Once you have identified the subject ,
you need to check whether it agrees the verb or not.
What is Verb ?
Verbs are words that express an action, state or an
occurrence. However,not all verbs are action words.Some verbs as:
is.am.,are was,were,etc.describe the state and not the action.

What is subject verb agreement ?

Subject-verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject
and predicate of the sentence. Subjects and verbs must always agree in
two ways: tense and number. For this post, we are focusing on number, or
whether the subject and verb are singular or plural.
For example:
• The light in the lamppost flickers each night.

In this sentence, the subject light is singular; therefore, the verb that describes the action of
the subject must also be singular: flickers.

If the subject was plural, the verbs would have to change form to agree with the subject.

For example:
• The lights in the lampposts flicker each night.

In this sentence, since the subject is now plural, the -s has to be removed from the verb in
order to have subject-verb agreement.

Let’s Learn basics first :-

In the present tense, verbs agree with their subjects in NUMBER (singular/plural) and
in PERSON (first, second, or third). The present tense ending –s (or –es) is used on a
verb if the subject is THIRD PERSON SINGULAR. Otherwise, the verb takes NO
ENDING.

SINGULAR PLURAL
First Person I Love We Love
Second Person You Love you Love
Third Person He/she/it Loves They Love

If the concept still confuses you, try answering the following questions to
understand when to use the –s (or –es) form of a present tense verb.

Use –s form
Is the verb’s subject he, she, it or one YES (loves, tries, has)

NO
Use the base form of the verb (love, try, have)

After learning the basic fundamentals of subject-verb agreement, read and understand these
special rules and after some practice, forming correct sentences will be easy!
Subject –Verb Agreement Rules
In academic writing, grammar and sentence construction are of paramount importance. To use any
language effectively, it is important to be familiar with its grammatical rules and structures.

Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is,
goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Example: The list of items is/are on the desk.

If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.

Exception to the Basic rule:

➢ The first person pronoun I takes a plural verb (I go, I drive).

Rule 1:-
When two subjects are joined together using ‘and’ a plural verb shuld be used .
Examples:

➢ Alex and courtney are my classmates.

➢ Bread and butter are sold at my shop.

Exception:-
a. If a subject consisting of two singular nouns connected by ‘and’ refers to the same
person ,thing or same idea , a singular verb is used.

➢ My friend, philosopher and guide have come.( change HAVE to HAS becuase all
qualities are found in one person)
➢ Bread and butter are my favourite dish. ( change ARE to IS beacuse here subject
is refering to one dish.)
➢ Breaking and entering is against the law.
➢ The bed and breakfast was charming.

b. When two subjects connected by and are proceeded by each , every, or many a
singular verb is used.

➢ Each man and boy is expected to meet his obligation.

➢ Every shirt ,tie and coat is marked for reduction sale.
Rule 2:-
If two subjects are joined with correlative conjunctions such as “Either- or” , “ neither-nor”
, “not only- but also” etc...then the verb follows the subject that is closer to it.
Examples:
➢ Neither Soha nor her family members express their pain openly. ( closer subject is
the “family members” which is plural)
➢ Either rain or snow is falling all over the state.
➢ Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
➢ Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.
➢ Not only the headmaster but also the teachers are in favour of the expansion of the
school.
➢ Not only the teachers but also the headmaster is in favour of the expansion of the
school.

Rule 3:-
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words ‘as well as’, ‘with’,
‘alongwith’, ‘together with’, ‘and not’, ‘In addition to’, ‘but’, ‘besides’, ‘except’,
‘rather than’, ‘accompanied by’, ‘like’, ‘unlike’, ‘no less than’, ‘nothing but’
Then the verb agrees with the primary subject.These words and phrases are not
part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular

Examples:
➢ The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
➢ Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.
➢ My father unlike my uncles is very strict.

Rule 4:-
Indefinite pronouns can pose special problems in subject – verb agreement.The difficulty is that
some indefinite pronouns sound plural when they are really singular.

As subjects, the following indefinite pronouns ALWAYS take singular verbs. Look at them

closely.

These should be easy to remember—SANE

Rule 6:-
So far we have considered subjects that can cause subject-verb agreement
confusion: compound subjects, group noun subjects, plural form – singular
meaning subjects, and indefinite subjects.

The remainder of this teaching unit examines subject – verb agreement problems that can
result from word placement in sentences. There are four main problems: prepositional
phrases, clauses beginning with who, that, or which,
EXCEPTIONS:

A third group of indefinite pronouns takes either a singular or plural verb depending on the
pronoun’s meaning in the sentence.

Look at them closely.

Rule 5:-
Collective Nouns
A collective noun is a word that represents a group of persons ,animals, or things e.g. audience
,committee,company ,council etc. The following rules govern the form of verb to be used with a
collective noun. The verb might be singular or plural, depending on the writer's intent.
When the group acts as a unit , the verb should be singular.
➢ The committee has agreed to submit its report on Friday.
➢ The majority has made its decision.
➢ The firm is one of the most reputed in the country.
➢ The herd of cows is grazing in the field.

When the members of the group are thought of as acting separately ,the verb should
be plural.
➢ The teams are arguing over who should be the captain.
➢ The couple are separating this week.
➢ The jury are divided in their opinion.
➢ The audience have taken their seats.
Rule 6:-
So far we have considered subjects that can cause subject-verb agreement
confusion: compound subjects, group noun subjects, plural form – singular
meaning subjects, and indefinite subjects.

The remainder of this teaching unit examines subject – verb agreement problems that can
result from word placement in sentences. There are four main problems: prepositional
phrases, clauses beginning with who, that, or which,
A prepositional phrase may be placed between the subject and verb

In the above example, the singular verb is agrees with the singular
subject boy.

Sometimes, however, a prepositional phrase inserted between the subject

and verb makes agreement more difficult.

Car is the singular subject. Was is the singular helping verb which agrees
with car. If we aren’t careful, however, we may mistakenly label riders as
the subject since it is nearer to the verb than car is. If we choose the plural
noun, riders, we will incorrectly select the plural verb were.

❖ A clause beginning with who, that, or which and coming BETWEEN the
subject and verb can cause agreement problems.Like the prepositional
phrase, the who / that / which clause never contains the subject.
Rule 7:-
In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.
Examples:
➢ There are five matches to play.
➢ Here is the package of letters.
➢ There is little administrative support..

Rule 8:-
Some nouns that are plural in form because they end with ‘S’ but singular
in meaning such as
a) Name of diseases:- Measles, Mumps, Rickets, Shingles etc.
b) Name of games : Billiards,Darts,Draughts, etc.
c) Name of countries:- The United States, The West Indies etc
d) Name of books :- The Arabian Nights, Three Muskeeters, etc.
e) Name of subjects:- Physics, Economics, Civics, Statistics,Politics etc.
 Usually take singular verb
Examples:-
➢ Mathematics is an interesting subject.
➢ Politics is not my cup of tea.
➢ News is travelling faster than ever before.
➢ Generally measles lasts about two weeks.

Exception:-
Some nouns ending in –ics (such as athletics,statistics and politics ) are considered plural when
refering to individual facts,qualities or activities.

Rule 9:-
Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money,quantities etc., when
considered as a unit.
Examples:
➢ Ten miles is too far to walk.
➢ Seven years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
➢ Five dollars is a high price to pay.
➢ 5 metres is ample for a suit.

Exception:- when subject consists of noun refering to individual units ,use

plural verb.
Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.
Hundred rupees are to be distributed among the students.
Note the difference
Five thousand rupees is a handsome amount.

Five thousand rupee have been spent on different useful commodities.

Rule 10:-
The expression the number has a singular meaning and requires a singular verb, whereas the
expression a number has a plural meaning and takes a plural verb.
Examples:-
➢ The number of board members is very small.
➢ A number of board members are absent.
➢ A number of our staff are going on leave.
 24. 50% of the work (is, are) complete.

25. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.

26. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.

27. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.

28. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.

29.Among the animals, turtles cling to their basic structural design, while many others
(is,are) experimenting their way to extinction.

30.Turtles are unique; each (has, have) eight cervical vertebrae, compared with seven of
most mammals.

EXERCISE 4

Underline the subject (or compound subject) and then identify the verb that agrees with it:-

1. Your friendship over the years and your support (has/have) meant a great deal to us.

2. Hamilton Family Center, a shelter for teenage runaways in San Francisco, (offers/offer)
a wide variety of services.

3. The main source of income for Trinidad (is/are) oil and pitch.

4. The chances of your being promoted (is/are) excellent.

5. There (was/were) a Pokémon card stuck to the refrigerator.

6. Neither the professor nor his assistants (was/were) able to solve the mystery of the
eerie glow in the laboratory.

7. Many hours at the driving range (has/have) led us to design golf balls with GPS locators in
them.

8. Discovered in the soil of our city garden (was/were) a button dating from the Civil War dating from the
turn of the century.

9. Every year, during the midsummer festival, the smoke of village bonfires (fills/fill) thesky.

10. The story performers (was/were) surrounded by children and adults eager to see magical
tale
Exercise 5

When a verb agrees with its subject in number:-

Direction: Select the correct verb in each of the sentences below.

1. Your friend (talk-talks) too much.

2. The man with the roses (look-looks) like your brother.

3. The women in the pool (swim-swims) well.

4. Bill (drive-drives) a cab.

5. The football players (run-runs) five miles every day.

6. That red-haired lady in the fur hat (live-lives) across the street.
7. He (cook-cooks) dinner for his family.

8. The boys (walk-walks) to school every day.

9. The weather on the coast (appear-appears) to be good this weekend.

10. The centre on the basketball team (bounce-bounces) the ball too high.

Exercise 6

When a subject is singular or plural depending on its usage and some seem to be plural but
always take singular verb.

Direction: Select the correct verb in each of the sentences below.

1. Each of the girls (look-looks) good on skis.

2. Everybody (was-were) asked to remain quiet.

3. Neither of the men (is-are) here yet.

4. (Is-Are) each of the girls ready to leave?

5. Several of the sheep (is-are) sick.

6. Some members of the faculty (is-are) present.

 7. Nobody in the class (has-have) the answer.

8. Each of the girls (observe-observes) all the regulations.

9. All of the milk (is-are) gone.

10. Most of the seats (was-were) taken.

11. At the end of the fall (comes/come) the hard tests.

12. The slaughter of animals for their fur (has/have) caused controversy.

13. The student, as well as his teacher, (was/were) going on the field trip.

14. The hard tests (comes/come) at the end of the fall.

15. Both of my roommates (has/have) decided to live in the dorms.

Exercise 7

When a subject is a collective noun or joined by and, or, nor.

Direction: Select the correct verb in each of the sentences below.

1. Margo and her parents (visit-visits) each other often.

2. Either the cups or the glasses (are-is) in the dishwasher.

3. Vern and Fred (need-needs) a ride to work.

4. There (is-are) a dog, a cat, and a bird in the garage.

5. Neither Matt nor his brothers (was-were) at the party.

6. Here into the main ring of the circus (come-comes) the trained elephants.

7. Either the workers or the boss (deliver-delivers) the merchandise.

8. The committee (work-works) hard for better schools.

9. There (is-are) many things to do before the holidays.

10. The jury (was-were) polled for their verdicts.

11. Here (is-are) the nails you need for the projects.

12. Either Joyce or Ellen (was-were) here.

 13. The United States (is-are) a country of contrast.

14. A magazine and a book (was-were) lying on the floor.

15. The family (is-are) occupied with their individual problems.

Exercise 8

Choose the correct form of the verb for the following sentence:

1: Everyone (has/have/will/were) done his or her homework.

2. Each of the students (is/are/will/be) responsible for doing his or her work.

3. Either my father or my brothers (is/are/will/be) going to sell the car.

4. Neither my sisters nor my mother (is/are/will/be) going to sell the house.

5. The samples on the tray in the lab (need/needs/is need/are need) testing.

6. Mary and John usually (plays/play/are played/will play) together.

7. Both of the dogs (has/have is/are) collars.

8. Neither the dogs nor the cat (is/are/were/has) very hungry.

9. Either the girls or the boy (walk/walks/ are walked/is walked) in the evening.

10. Either the boy or the girls (walk/walks/are walked/is walked) in the evening.

11. None of the salesmen _____________ to help me.

A. does want B. Wants C. Wanted D. want

12. My entire supply of checks __________ missing.

A. Was B. Were C. Are D. had

13. The data ______ published by the government.

A. Was B. Were C. Is D. has

14. The rangers, the explorers, or the camper _________ the bear.
A. See B. Sees C. Seen D. None of the above
29. Neither of Freud’s parents _________ much intelligence when it comes to choosing
spouses. Freud’s father has married five times, and Mom just presented him with stepfather
number three.
A. has B. have C. are showing D. had

30. The brothers as well as their sister …………………… .. good at their studies.
A. is B. Are C.Have D. was

31. Here ___________ the mail and newspapers that I picked up for you while you were on
vacation.
A. is B. are C. was D. be

32. Mr. Lowry, our English teacher, believes that students who major in economics or physics
__________ their imaginations.
A. ruins B. ruin C. has ruined D. ruined

33. ___________ no one except Marge and Beatrice have the subject-verb agreement
exercises that Ms. Koopman assigned for today?
A. does B. do C. did D. has

34. Every cereal bowl and casserole dish _________ slipped out of Sheila’s soapy hands and
shattered on the hard tile of the kitchen floor. Sheila really needs to buy a dishwasher.
A. has B. have C. will have D. had

35. General Foods, the maker of Cheerios, ___________ developed a new cereal with
chocolate puffs and broccoli-flavored marshmallows.
A. has B. have C. had D. is

36. Each man, woman, and child __________ to write General Foods a letter supporting the
company's decision to produce a chocolate-broccoli breakfast cereal.
A. needs B. need C. needed D. will need

37. There ___________ more calories in a bowl of chocolate-broccoli breakfast cereal than you
might think.
A. is B. are C. will be D. were

38. Not only the vitamin C from the broccoli but also the delicious taste of the chocolate
___________ this breakfast cereal a real crowd pleaser.
A. makes B. make C. made D. will make

39. Who needs a pet if you live in Florida? There already __________ lizards that sneak in
between the window screens and cockroaches that take up residence in every bathroom and
kitchen.
A. is B. are C. has been D. had been

40. Susan is one of those students who ___________ up to the instructor every chance that
they get.
A. kisses B. kiss C. kissed D. has kissed
41. The dead trees and peeling paint, along with the broken windows and flapping shutters,
__________ everyone believe that evil spirits haunt the deserted Sinclair house.
A. made B. has made C. makes D. make

42. Where __________ the earrings that I left by the bathroom sink? Oh no! That stupid cat
has swatted them down the drain again!
A. was B. were C. is D. are

43. Neither of those sharks circling your boogie board __________ hungry enough to bite.
A. looks B. look C. looked D. had looked

44. One hundred and fifty gallons __________ the amount of liquid the average living room
rug can absorb. Rachel discovered this fact after taking a long shower when the curtain wasn't
tucked inside the tub.
A. is B. are C. was D. were

45. Agnes never loses a single possession. Everyone knows what belongs to her, for each pen,
pencil, and paperclip __________ a tiny flag attached with Agnes' full name on it.
A. will have B. has C. have D. had

46. Asteroids and comets slamming into Earth __________ Marge; she tries to remain under
the protective cover of her roof as much as possible.
A. worries B. worry C. worried D. used to worry

47. Someone—perhaps Emmanuel or Paul—__________ the right wine to serve with

earthworm lasagna.
A. knew B. will know C. knows D. know

48. These scissors __________ so dull that I'm not sure you could slice butter with them!
A. is B. are C. has been D. had been

49. Physics __________ proven to be Jerry's easiest subject this semester. He brings Carol,
the lab assistant, an oatmeal-raisin cookie, and, as his reward, she finishes his report.
A. has B. have C. had D. will have

50. The good jewelry Dad gave Sara for graduation __________ more than the cheap leather
wallet that David got as his reward for finishing high school.
A. costs B. cost C. will cost D. had cost

Exercise 9
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that
is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English

1.The first of the shows were much tamer than the shows that came later.
A. the shows was much tamer
B. the shows were much tamest
C. the show's were much tamer
D. the shows were much tamer
2. The argument over the scandal and the authority of the governor have intensified greatly.
A. whether the governor has authority has
B. the authority of the governor have
C. the authority of the governor has
D. the governor's authority have

3.The treatment of animals in laboratories have become a controversial issue in recent years.
A. have become
B. had becoming
C. has become
D. have been becoming

4. Each of the teenagers have a brand new cellular phone.

A. Each teenager have
B. Each, of the teenagers, have
C. Each of the teenagers has
D. Each of the teenagers have

5. The teenager, along with her classmates, object to the school's use of uniforms beginning
next year.
A. The teenager, along with her classmates, objects
B. The teenager along with her classmates objects
C. The teenager along with her classmates, objects
D. The teenager along with her classmates object

6. The most challenging thing for young musicians are to listen to the rest of the ensemble.
A. are to listen
B. is to listen
C. are listen
D. are listening

7. The oldest of the veterans hold a special place of honor in the group.
A. the veterans hold the special place
B. the veteran's hold a special place
C. the veterans hold a special place
D. the veterans holds a special place

8. The leader of the football players make all decisions for the entire group.
A. the football players were making all decisions
B. the football players makes all decisions
C. the football players to make all decisions
D. the football players make all decisions
9. Each of the students were sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
A. Each of the students have been sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
B. Each of the students were sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
C. Each of the students were sick last week, and so the professor cancelled the lecture.
D. Each of the students was sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.

10. The new bylaws of the organization was ratified by a unanimous vote yesterday.
A. The new bylaws from the organization was
B. The new bylaws for the organization was
C. The new bylaws of the organization were
D. The new bylaws of the organization was

Exercise 10
In each of the following questions there are three parts a, b, and c, among which one
part is erroneous. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and mark (d) if no
error is found. Ignore punctuation errors.

1.(a) Neither of them/ (b) are going to attend/ (c) the party on 10th October./ (d)
No error

2. (a) He walked five miles which are really a great distance/ (b) for a man like him
who is not only old but also ill./ (d) No error

3. (a) Either my colleague/ (b) or a peon are coming home/ (c) with the material
today./(d) No error

4. (a) The rise and fall/ (b) of the tide are due/ (c) to lunar influence./ (d) No error

5. (a) Many a man/ (b) have succumbed/ (c) to this temptation./ (d) No error

6. (a) The introduction of tea, coffee/ (b) and such other beverages/ (c) have not
been without some effect./ (d) No error

7. (a) The newer type of automatic machines/ (b) wash/ (c) clothes faster./ (d) No
error

8. (a) Each of the students in the computer class/ (b) has to type/ (c) their own
research
paper this semester./ (d) No error

9. (a) Everyone of the films/ (b) you suggested/ (c) are not worth seeing./ (d) No
error

10. (a) The Secretary and Principal of the college/ (b) are attending/ (c) the District
Development Council Meeting at the Collectorate./ (d) No error
15. The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring _____ more than just a nuisance.
A. Is B. Are C. Were D. had

16. Every pale tomato slice, wilted pickle, and brown lettuce leaf __________ an extra 25
cents at Bernie’s Burger Emporium.
A. costs B. cost C. costed D. had cost

17. Not only the Smiths but also Tonya __________ agreed to try one of the world-famous
chocolate-broccoli muffins.
A. has B. have C. had D. has been

18. The Smiths, along with Tonya, _________ to avoid indigestion after eating these weird
muffins.
A. hopes B. hope C. hoped D. had hoped

19. On the sidewalk _________ many little lizards sunning themselves on the hot concrete.
A. is B. are C. was D. were

20. Even though Antonio has many friends who love their Chevrolets and Buicks, he has always
believed that General Motors __________ lemons.
A. makes B. make C. made D. had made

21. My dog Floyd, together with Buster the cat, __________ to play with money; the cat swats
crumpled bills onto the floor where the dog shreds them to pieces.
A. likes B. like C. liked D. had liked

22. Latoya isn't going to Daytona Beach for spring break because fourteen dollars __________
all that she has in her vacation fund.
A. is B. are C. was D. were

23. Even though Johnson and Johnson _________ consumers not to insert Q-tips into their
ears, people refuse to read directions and frequently rupture their eardrums.
A. warns B. warn C. warned D. had warned

24. All of my important keys __________ now stuck in the drain pipe of my bathroom sink.
Buster, my kitten, doesn't realize how much his playfulness inconveniences me.
A. is B. are C. was D. were

25. Grandpa claims that Martian measles _________ green and purple spots to erupt all over a
person's body.
A. causes B. cause C. will cause D. had caused

26. Digging holes in the sofa cushions __________ Peanut, Elizabeth’s new puppy.
A. is B. are C. was D. were

27. Even though the jury _________ to believe that the defendant did not feed Elvis to the
Loch Ness Monster, much of the evidence points to her guilt.
A. wants B. want C. wanted D. are wanting
28. Neither the students nor their instructor __________ happy with the long cafeteria line for
squid eyeball stew.
A. is B. are C. was D. were
29. Neither of Freud’s parents _________ much intelligence when it comes to choosing
spouses. Freud’s father has married five times, and Mom just presented him with stepfather
number three.
A. has B. have C. are showing D. had

30. The brothers as well as their sister …………………… .. good at their studies.
A. is B. Are C.Have D. was

31. Here ___________ the mail and newspapers that I picked up for you while you were on
vacation.
A. is B. are C. was D. be

32. Mr. Lowry, our English teacher, believes that students who major in economics or physics
__________ their imaginations.
A. ruins B. ruin C. has ruined D. ruined

33. ___________ no one except Marge and Beatrice have the subject-verb agreement
exercises that Ms. Koopman assigned for today?
A. does B. do C. did D. has

34. Every cereal bowl and casserole dish _________ slipped out of Sheila’s soapy hands and
shattered on the hard tile of the kitchen floor. Sheila really needs to buy a dishwasher.
A. has B. have C. will have D. had

35. General Foods, the maker of Cheerios, ___________ developed a new cereal with
chocolate puffs and broccoli-flavored marshmallows.
A. has B. have C. had D. is

36. Each man, woman, and child __________ to write General Foods a letter supporting the
company's decision to produce a chocolate-broccoli breakfast cereal.
A. needs B. need C. needed D. will need

37. There ___________ more calories in a bowl of chocolate-broccoli breakfast cereal than you
might think.
A. is B. are C. will be D. were

38. Not only the vitamin C from the broccoli but also the delicious taste of the chocolate
___________ this breakfast cereal a real crowd pleaser.
A. makes B. make C. made D. will make

39. Who needs a pet if you live in Florida? There already __________ lizards that sneak in
between the window screens and cockroaches that take up residence in every bathroom and
kitchen.
A. is B. are C. has been D. had been

40. Susan is one of those students who ___________ up to the instructor every chance that
they get.
A. kisses B. kiss C. kissed D. has kissed
41. The dead trees and peeling paint, along with the broken windows and flapping shutters,
__________ everyone believe that evil spirits haunt the deserted Sinclair house.
A. made B. has made C. makes D. make

42. Where __________ the earrings that I left by the bathroom sink? Oh no! That stupid cat
has swatted them down the drain again!
A. was B. were C. is D. are

43. Neither of those sharks circling your boogie board __________ hungry enough to bite.
A. looks B. look C. looked D. had looked

44. One hundred and fifty gallons __________ the amount of liquid the average living room
rug can absorb. Rachel discovered this fact after taking a long shower when the curtain wasn't
tucked inside the tub.
A. is B. are C. was D. were

45. Agnes never loses a single possession. Everyone knows what belongs to her, for each pen,
pencil, and paperclip __________ a tiny flag attached with Agnes' full name on it.
A. will have B. has C. have D. had

46. Asteroids and comets slamming into Earth __________ Marge; she tries to remain under
the protective cover of her roof as much as possible.
A. worries B. worry C. worried D. used to worry

47. Someone—perhaps Emmanuel or Paul—__________ the right wine to serve with

earthworm lasagna.
A. knew B. will know C. knows D. know

48. These scissors __________ so dull that I'm not sure you could slice butter with them!
A. is B. are C. has been D. had been

49. Physics __________ proven to be Jerry's easiest subject this semester. He brings Carol,
the lab assistant, an oatmeal-raisin cookie, and, as his reward, she finishes his report.
A. has B. have C. had D. will have

50. The good jewelry Dad gave Sara for graduation __________ more than the cheap leather
wallet that David got as his reward for finishing high school.
A. costs B. cost C. will cost D. had cost

Exercise 9
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that
is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English

1.The first of the shows were much tamer than the shows that came later.
A. the shows was much tamer
B. the shows were much tamest
C. the show's were much tamer
D. the shows were much tamer
2. The argument over the scandal and the authority of the governor have intensified greatly.
A. whether the governor has authority has
B. the authority of the governor have
C. the authority of the governor has
D. the governor's authority have

3.The treatment of animals in laboratories have become a controversial issue in recent years.
A. have become
B. had becoming
C. has become
D. have been becoming

4. Each of the teenagers have a brand new cellular phone.

A. Each teenager have
B. Each, of the teenagers, have
C. Each of the teenagers has
D. Each of the teenagers have

5. The teenager, along with her classmates, object to the school's use of uniforms beginning
next year.
A. The teenager, along with her classmates, objects
B. The teenager along with her classmates objects
C. The teenager along with her classmates, objects
D. The teenager along with her classmates object

6. The most challenging thing for young musicians are to listen to the rest of the ensemble.
A. are to listen
B. is to listen
C. are listen
D. are listening

7. The oldest of the veterans hold a special place of honor in the group.
A. the veterans hold the special place
B. the veteran's hold a special place
C. the veterans hold a special place
D. the veterans holds a special place

8. The leader of the football players make all decisions for the entire group.
A. the football players were making all decisions
B. the football players makes all decisions
C. the football players to make all decisions
D. the football players make all decisions
9. Each of the students were sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
A. Each of the students have been sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
B. Each of the students were sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
C. Each of the students were sick last week, and so the professor cancelled the lecture.
D. Each of the students was sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.

10. The new bylaws of the organization was ratified by a unanimous vote yesterday.
A. The new bylaws from the organization was
B. The new bylaws for the organization was
C. The new bylaws of the organization were
D. The new bylaws of the organization was

Exercise 10
In each of the following questions there are three parts a, b, and c, among which one
part is erroneous. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and mark (d) if no
error is found. Ignore punctuation errors.

1.(a) Neither of them/ (b) are going to attend/ (c) the party on 10th October./ (d)
No error

2. (a) He walked five miles which are really a great distance/ (b) for a man like him
who is not only old but also ill./ (d) No error

3. (a) Either my colleague/ (b) or a peon are coming home/ (c) with the material
today./(d) No error

4. (a) The rise and fall/ (b) of the tide are due/ (c) to lunar influence./ (d) No error

5. (a) Many a man/ (b) have succumbed/ (c) to this temptation./ (d) No error

6. (a) The introduction of tea, coffee/ (b) and such other beverages/ (c) have not
been without some effect./ (d) No error

7. (a) The newer type of automatic machines/ (b) wash/ (c) clothes faster./ (d) No
error

8. (a) Each of the students in the computer class/ (b) has to type/ (c) their own
research
paper this semester./ (d) No error

9. (a) Everyone of the films/ (b) you suggested/ (c) are not worth seeing./ (d) No
error

10. (a) The Secretary and Principal of the college/ (b) are attending/ (c) the District
Development Council Meeting at the Collectorate./ (d) No error