Subject-Verb Agreement English Grammar Practice Test -- Free Practice

Question 1

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

She ______ in a software company.

A

work✓✗

B

working✓✗

C

works✓✗

D

have worked✓✗

Explanation

A singular subject such as "she" takes the -s form in the present: "works". "Work" and "have worked" are plural forms, and "working" has no helping verb.

Question 2

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The boys ______ playing in the ground.

A

is✓✗

B

was✓✗

C

has✓✗

D

are✓✗

Explanation

"Boys" is plural, so the plural verb "are" is correct. "Is", "was" and "has" are singular.

Question 3

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Riya and Aman ______ good friends.

A

are✓✗

B

is✓✗

C

was✓✗

D

has✓✗

Explanation

Two subjects joined by "and" take a plural verb, so "are" is correct.

Question 4

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Each student ______ a laptop.

A

have✓✗

B

has✓✗

C

are having✓✗

D

were having✓✗

Explanation

"Each" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "has". The other forms are plural.

Question 5

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Every employee ______ an ID card at work.

A

wear✓✗

B

are wearing✓✗

C

wears✓✗

D

have worn✓✗

Explanation

"Every" takes a singular noun and a singular verb, so "wears" is correct. The other forms are plural.

Question 6

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Mathematics ______ my favourite subject.

A

are✓✗

B

were✓✗

C

have been✓✗

D

is✓✗

Explanation

Subject names ending in -s, such as Mathematics and Physics, are singular, so "is" is correct.

Question 7

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

There ______ many books on the shelf.

A

are✓✗

B

is✓✗

C

was✓✗

D

has✓✗

Explanation

After "there", the verb agrees with the real subject, "many books", which is plural. So "are" is correct.

Question 8

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Everyone ______ happy with the result.

A

are✓✗

B

is✓✗

C

were✓✗

D

have been✓✗

Explanation

"Everyone" is singular, so it takes "is". The other forms are plural.

Question 9

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

One of my friends ______ a doctor.

A

are✓✗

B

were✓✗

C

is✓✗

D

have been✓✗

Explanation

The subject is "one", not "friends", so the verb is singular: "is".

Question 10

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Neither the manager nor the employees ______ present.

A

was✓✗

B

is✓✗

C

has been✓✗

D

were✓✗

Explanation

With "neither ... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "Employees" is plural, so "were" is correct.

Question 11

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Either you or he ______ responsible for this mistake.

A

is✓✗

B

are✓✗

C

am✓✗

D

were✓✗

Explanation

With "either ... or", the verb agrees with the nearer subject, "he", so "is" is correct.

Question 12

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The teacher, along with her students, ______ going on the trip.

A

are✓✗

B

is✓✗

C

were✓✗

D

have been✓✗

Explanation

"Along with" does not add to the subject. The subject is still "the teacher", so the singular verb "is" is correct.

Question 13

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The committee ______ announced its decision.

A

have✓✗

B

are✓✗

C

has✓✗

D

were✓✗

Explanation

The committee acts as one unit, and "its" confirms this, so the singular "has" is correct.

Question 14

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

A number of students ______ absent today.

A

is✓✗

B

was✓✗

C

has been✓✗

D

are✓✗

Explanation

"A number of" means "many", so it takes a plural verb: "are".

Question 15

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The number of students ______ increasing every year.

A

is✓✗

B

are✓✗

C

were✓✗

D

have been✓✗

Explanation

"The number of" refers to one figure, so it takes a singular verb: "is".

Question 16

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Ten kilometres ______ a long distance to walk.

A

are✓✗

B

is✓✗

C

were✓✗

D

have✓✗

Explanation

A distance taken as one amount is singular, even when the noun is plural. So "is" is correct.

Question 17

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Many a student ______ failed this paper.

A

have✓✗

B

are✓✗

C

has✓✗

D

were✓✗

Explanation

"Many a" is followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, so "has" is correct.

Question 18

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

A pair of scissors ______ on the table.

A

are✓✗

B

were✓✗

C

have✓✗

D

is✓✗

Explanation

The subject is "a pair", which is singular, so "is" is correct. "Scissors" alone would take a plural verb.

Question 19

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The news / are not / good today.

A

The news✓✗

B

are not✓✗

C

good today.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"News" is singular even though it ends in -s, so it should be "is not". The other parts are correct.

Question 20

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The list of items / are on / the desk.

A

The list of items✓✗

B

are on✓✗

C

the desk.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

The subject is "list", not "items", so it should be "is on". The other parts are correct.

Question 21

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The quality of these products / have improved / this year.

A

The quality of these products✓✗

B

have improved✓✗

C

this year.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

The subject is "quality", which is singular, so it should be "has improved". "Of these products" only describes it.

Question 22

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

Neither of the answers / is correct / according to the key.

A

Neither of the answers✓✗

B

is correct✓✗

C

according to the key.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Neither of" takes a plural noun and a singular verb, so "is correct" is right. The sentence has no error.

Question 23

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

My trousers / is torn / at the knee.

A

My trousers✓✗

B

is torn✓✗

C

at the knee.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Trousers" is a plural noun, so it takes a plural verb: "are torn". The other parts are correct.

Question 24

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The police / has arrested / the suspect.

A

The police✓✗

B

has arrested✓✗

C

the suspect.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Police" is always treated as plural, so it should be "have arrested". The other parts are correct.

Question 25

A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

More than one employee have resigned this month.

A

has resigned✓✗

B

are resigning✓✗

C

were resigned✓✗

D

No improvement✓✗

Explanation

"More than one" is followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, so "has resigned" is correct. The other options are plural.

Question 26

A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

Bread and butter are my usual breakfast.

A

were✓✗

B

have been✓✗

C

is✓✗

D

No improvement✓✗

Explanation

"Bread and butter" names one dish, so it takes a singular verb: "is".

Question 27

A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

The secretary and treasurer of the club have submitted his report.

A

are✓✗

B

has✓✗

C

were✓✗

D

No improvement✓✗

Explanation

One "the" before two titles means one person, and "his report" confirms it. So the singular "has" is correct.

Question 28

A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

Sixty percent of the voters have supported the proposal.

A

has✓✗

B

is✓✗

C

was✓✗

D

No improvement✓✗

Explanation

With a percentage, the verb agrees with the noun after "of". "Voters" is plural, so "have" is correct and no change is needed.

Question 29

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

He is one of those leaders who ______ what they promise.

A

delivers✓✗

B

is delivering✓✗

C

has delivered✓✗

D

deliver✓✗

Explanation

In "one of those ... who", "who" refers to the plural "leaders", and "they" confirms it. So the verb is plural: "deliver".

Question 30

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

She is the only one of the candidates who ______ all the questions.

A

has answered✓✗

B

have answered✓✗

C

are answering✓✗

D

answer✓✗

Explanation

In "the only one of ... who", "who" refers to "the only one", so the verb is singular: "has answered". The other forms are plural.

Question 31

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Neither she nor I ______ ready for the interview.

A

is✓✗

B

am✓✗

C

are✓✗

D

were✓✗

Explanation

The verb agrees with the nearer subject, "I", so "am" is correct.

Question 32

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

It is I who ______ to blame for the delay.

A

is✓✗

B

are✓✗

C

am✓✗

D

has been✓✗

Explanation

In "It is I who", the relative pronoun "who" refers to "I", so the verb agrees with "I": "am".

Question 33

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Not only the players but also the coach ______ disappointed last night.

A

were✓✗

B

are✓✗

C

have been✓✗

D

was✓✗

Explanation

With "not only ... but also", the verb agrees with the nearer subject, "the coach". "Last night" needs the past, so "was" is correct.

Question 34

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

On the hill ______ two old temples.

A

stand✓✗

B

stands✓✗

C

is standing✓✗

D

has stood✓✗

Explanation

In this inverted sentence, the real subject comes after the verb. "Two old temples" is plural, so "stand" is correct. The other forms are singular.

Question 35

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Gulliver's Travels ______ a famous novel.

A

are✓✗

B

is✓✗

C

were✓✗

D

have been✓✗

Explanation

The title of a book is one work, so it is singular even when plural in form. So "is" is correct.

Question 36

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The United States / have signed / a new trade deal.

A

The United States✓✗

B

have signed✓✗

C

a new trade deal.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

The name of a country is singular, even in a plural form, so it should be "has signed". The other parts are correct.

Question 37

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The criteria for selection / has been / changed this year.

A

The criteria for selection✓✗

B

has been✓✗

C

changed this year.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Criteria" is the plural of "criterion", so it should be "have been". The other parts are correct.

Question 38

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

None of the information / were useful / for our report.

A

None of the information✓✗

B

were useful✓✗

C

for our report.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

After "none of", the verb follows the noun. "Information" is uncountable and singular, so it should be "was useful". The other parts are correct.

Question 39

Which of these sentences about fractions and groups is grammatically correct?

A

Two-thirds of the land are under cultivation.✓✗

B

Two-thirds of the students is absent.✓✗

C

Two-thirds of the land is under cultivation.✓✗

D

Half of the employees has left.✓✗

Explanation

With fractions, the verb agrees with the noun after "of". "Land" is uncountable, so "is" is correct. "Students" and "employees" are plural, so those two sentences would need "are" and "have".

Question 40

Read the short passage and choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The report on the causes of the delays ______ submitted yesterday. The delays themselves are still being studied.

A

were✓✗

B

are✓✗

C

have been✓✗

D

was✓✗

Explanation

The subject of the first sentence is "report", which is singular, and "yesterday" needs the past. So "was" is correct. The plural words "causes" and "delays" do not change the subject.