Class 10 English workbook Unit 3 | Subject-verb agreement
Only answers for class 10 English Workbook Unit 3 Subject-verb agreement are given below. Refer workbook pages 45 – 49 for questions. You can find more subject-verb agreement exercises below.
Subject-verb agreement exercise for class 10
A.6 Fill in the blanks with appropriate verbs to complete this biography of Rickety Ron
Rickety Ron is a student of statistics, which for many years has been his favourite subject. Ron has always loved playing with numbers. Dramatics is his life but every time he takes a role for stage acting, he is mysteriously down with mumps. Mumps has always been his undoing! Ron is no good at games and opts for the least exerting sports of all. So, for him, it’s skittles, darts and cards. Cards is his favourite, though! He loves aerobics too. Aerobics, to him, is both relaxation and entertainment.
Nouns that are always plural
Names of divided objects of identical size and shape are plural and take a plural verb. We also use a plural pronoun to refer to them. Examples are: trousers, jeans, pyjamas, pants, scales, scissors, glasses, pliers, binoculars, socks, tongs, goggles, compasses etc.
A.7 Answers
1. What are shears used for? They are used for cutting specific materials. (Shears is plural, so use the plural verb are with it. Also, use the plural pronoun they to refer to them.)
2. Have you got the binoculars? No, I left them at home.
3. What are pliers made of? They are made of steel.
4. How much do these trousers cost? They cost 600 rupees. (Trousers is plural, so use these with it. You can also write ‘this pair of trousers’. How much does this pair of trousers cost?)
5. Are your socks dry? Yes, they are dry.
6. What are tongs used for? Tongs are used to grip and lift objects.
7. Are your goggles expensive? My goggles are not expensive.
8. Which slacks are not allowed in school? Black slacks are not allowed in school.
9. What are scissors used for? Scissors are used for cutting cloth.
10. Can you lend me your compasses? No. They are not with me at the moment.
B.2 Tick the correct form of the verb in the following sentences.
1. Summons was sent for his arrest. (Summons is singular; its plural form is summonses.)
2. The media have become more responsible nowadays. (Media can be singular or plural; you will not be wrong if you say ‘media has become.’)
3. This news was broadcast from All India Radio. (News does not have a plural form.)
4. Politics is not meant for students.
5. To an outsider, the economics of this company seems to be in shambles.
6. The staff are unhappy with their working environment. (Staff can be used with a singular or plural verb. You can also write ‘the staff is unhappy’. To refer to a single member of the staff, use the word employee or staffer.)
7. Skittles is a popular game in India these days.
8. Harsh’s spectacles were lost on his journey to Manipal.
9. Mathematics is a compulsory subject for under-graduation in most of the science and commerce streams.
10. The public was jubilant when Sachin Tendulkar scored his 50th century. (Public can be used with a singular or plural verb. So, you can also write ‘the public were…’
B.3 Will the following take a plural or a singular verb? Why?
Singular verbs – The United States of America, 500 rupees, the Arabian nights, a gang of robbers, a herd of cattle
Plural verbs – a number of people, a couple of friends, half of us, the majority of the members of the committee
B.4 Circle the subject and connect it with a verb which follows it.
1. The boy whom you saw walking on the road yesterday while returning from school is my brother. (Subject – the boy; verb – is)
2. The book you wanted to read is not available right now. (Subject – the book; verb – is)
3. The furniture which was bought in the auction is made of solid teak wood. (Subject – furniture; verb – is)
4. The team which won four matches this year has been nominated for the President’s award. (Subject – team; verb – has been nominated)
5. A visit to the various monasteries provides an insight into Buddhism. (subject – a visit; verb – provides)
C. Subject – verb agreement summary
Answers
1. One of my friends has gone to Canada.
2. Everyone of the passengers has applied for leave today in protest against the management.
3. Neither of these boxers was able to score a decisive victory.
Rule: Use a singular verb after one of, each of, everyone of, either of and neither of.
4. Tobacco and alcohol are injurious to health.
5. He and I were at Patna University together.
6. Oil and water do not mix.
Rule: When we connect two or more singular nouns with ‘and’, the verb should be plural.
7. Age and experience brings wisdom to man.
8. Slow and steady wins the race.
9. Bread and butter is what the poor want.
Rule: When two singular nouns connected by ‘and’ together express one idea, they are followed by a singular verb.
10. My uncle and guardian wants me to start my own business. (Here both nouns – uncle and guardian – refer to the same person. Hence, we use the singular verb. If they referred to different nouns, we would use the article or determiner before each of them.)
11. The Collector and District Magistrate is away. (Both nouns refer to the same person.)
12. The notable patriot and orator is no more.
13. The industrialist and the politician have been invited to the function. (Here the nouns industrialist and politician refer to two different persons. Hence, we use the article the before each of them. Note that we used a plural verb in this sentence.)
Rule: When two singular nouns connected by and refer to the same person, we use the article or determiner only before the first noun. A singular verb is used with this expression. When two singular nouns connected by and refer to different persons, the article or determiner should be used before each noun and the verb should be plural.
14. Neither Raju nor Sheela has come first.
15. No scholarship or reward was given to the student who stood first in the examination.
16. Either China or Malaysia has the chance to win the world cup in badminton.
Rule: When two singular subjects are connected by or, either/or or neither/nor, the verb should be singular.
17. Neither he nor I have any objection to your plan. (Here the verb have agrees with the subject closer to it – I)
18. Either you or Rashmi has to own the responsibility for the mishap. (Here the verb has agrees with the subject closer to it – Rashmi.)
Rule: When the subjects connected by or or nor are of different numbers (singular or plural) or person (first person, second person, third person), the verb should agree with the subject closer to or or nor.
