Subject-Verb Agreement Exercise For Class 9

Basic rules of sentence agreement

Some nouns are plural and always take a plural verb. Examples: stairs, clothes, goods, premises, savings, earnings, belongings, congratulations, outskirts, riches, surroundings, thanks, particulars.

Some nouns ending in -s are actually singular and take a singular verb. These include the names of sciences, diseases, sports etc. Examples are: physics, mathematics, economics, mumps, measles, diabetes, rabies, news, politics, ethics, athletics, gymnastics, aerobics.

Nouns that refer to objects that have two parts take a plural verb: Examples are: scissors, pliers, pincers, trousers, jeans, tights, shorts, compasses, and binoculars.

Collective nouns can be followed by a singular or plural verb. Examples are:  family, college, population, team, university, crowd, public, committee, audience.

The nouns staff, police and people take plural verbs.

The nouns somebody, anybody, someone, anyone, nobody, no one etc. take a singular verb.

Subject-verb agreement exercise

Fill in the blanks with a verb form that agrees with the subject.

1. The government ……………………… criticized for being too slow to act. (was / were)

2. No one …………………… a greater collection of coins than my aunt. (has / have)

3. Somebody ……………………… waiting at the door. (is / are)

4. Two years …………………………. a long time to be out of work. (is / are)

5 Fatty foods, especially fries and burgers ………………………….. harmful for health. (is / are)

6. Some students ………………………….. excited about the idea. (is / are)

7. Neither Sam nor his children …………………………. English. (speaks / speak)

8. Either Jane or Susie ……………………… to go. (has / have)

9. If anybody ……………………….. tell them that I am out. (calls / call)

10. The contractor, along with his suppliers, …………………………… expected to arrive soon. (is / are)

11. Several people ………………………… complained. (has / have)

12. Neither John nor Alice ……………………………. got a job. (has / have)

Answers

1. The government was criticized for being too slow to act.

2. No one has a greater collection of coins than my aunt.

3. Somebody is waiting at the door.

4. Two years is a long time to be out of work.

5 Fatty foods, especially fries and burgers, are harmful for health.

6. Some students are excited about the idea.

7. Neither Sam nor his children speak English.

8. Either Jane or Susie has to go.

9. If anybody calls tell them that I am out.

10. The contractor, along with his suppliers, is expected to arrive soon.

11. Several people have complained.

12. Neither John nor Alice has got a job.