Subject Verb Agreement Quiz A

Earth ______________ thought to be flat, but it has since been proven wrong.

• is

• are

• was

• were

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was' because the sentence is referring to a singular subject 'Earth' in the past tense.

The company's decision to implement remote work arrangements ______________ discussed by the management last week.

• is

• are

• was

• were

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was' because the subject 'decision' is singular, requiring a singular verb form.

Nothing ______________ left in the room after the movers cleared out all the furniture.

• is

• are

• was

• were

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was' because 'nothing' is a singular subject, so the singular verb 'was' should be used to agree with it.

A pack of wolves ______________ through this snowy forest every winter.

• prowl

• prowls

• prowled

• prowling

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'prowls' because the subject 'pack of wolves' is singular, so the verb should also be singular. 'Prowls' is the present simple third person singular form of the verb 'prowl.'

Yours may be fancy but ours ______________ more efficient, Mr Smith told his neighbours who were boasting about their new car.

• is

• are

• was

• were

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'is' because 'ours' is singular, so it should be followed by 'is' to maintain subject-verb agreement.

The trousers ______________ neatly in the wardrobe, waiting to be worn for the evening event.

• hang

• hangs

• was hanging

• was hung

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'hang' because the subject 'trousers' is plural, so the verb should also be plural. 'Hangs' is singular, 'was hanging' is past continuous, and 'was hung' is passive voice.

The ongoing pandemic ______________ a global response to mitigate its impact.

• requires

• require

• required

• is requiring

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'requires' because the verb 'requires' should agree with the singular subject 'pandemic'.

Everybody __________ to have different opinions on the matter, yet no one can provide a definitive answer to resolve it.

• seem

• seems

• have seemed

• have been seeming

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'seems' because 'everybody' is a singular pronoun, so the verb should also be singular. 'Seems' is the correct singular form in this context.

Compared to the previous years, the number of students attending the workshop ______________ this year.

• has increased

• have increased

• are increasing

• were increasing

Answer explanation

Compared to the previous years, the number of students attending the workshop has increased indicates a singular subject, so 'has increased' is the correct choice.

Either the dogs or the cat ______________ responsible for knocking over the flower pot, causing a huge mess in the garden.

• is

• are

• was

• were

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was' because 'Either...or' is a singular subject, so the verb should also be singular. In this case, 'the cat' is the subject, making 'was' the correct singular verb form.