The basic rule of subject-verb agreement is simple. A singular subject requires a singular verb and a plural subject requires a plural verb.

Many nouns ending in -s are singular and require a singular verb. The following nouns require a singular verb.

News, information, business

Names of subjects – mathematics, physics, politics, science, economics

Names of books, magazines – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Times

Names of illnesses ending in –s – measles, rabies

Fill in the blanks with a suitable verb. This grammar worksheet tests your understanding of rules regarding subject verb agreement.

Worksheet 1

1. Raju and Radha …………………………… going to school. (be)

2. Ram along with his friends ………………………………….. going to cinema. (be)

3. Father as well as mother ………………………….. at the wedding. (was / were)

4. You ……………………………. (is / are) invited to the party.

5. I ……………………………… (was / were) really angry.

6. Neither Seema nor her friends ……………………………… here today. (is / are)

7. Either Raju or Radha ………………………… (has / have) done this.

8. There …………………………… two birds on the tree. (is / are)

9. ……………………………… there any milk in the fridge? (is / are)

10. There ……………………………. (was / were) nothing to do.

Answers

1. are, 2. is, 3. was, 4. are, 5. was, 6. are, 7. has, 8. are, 9. is, 10. was

Worksheet 2

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

1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy ……………………….. a great social reformer. (was / were)

2. The child …………………… doing his homework. (was / were)

3. It ……………………. easy to give advice. (is / are)

4. Physics …………………….. his favourite subject. (is / are)

5. That ………………….. a wonderful movie. (was / were)

6. Brothers Karamazov ……………………….. a great novel. (is / are)

7. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn …………………….. my favourite book. (is / are)

8. The news ……………………….. too good to be true. (is / are)

9. One of the athletes …………………………. been selected for the state level championship.

10. This piece of information …………………………. unreliable. (is / are)

11. One of my friends ………………………. from Bengal. (is / are)

12. Some of my friends ………………………. North Indians. (is / are)

Answers

1. was, 2. was, 3. is, 4. is, 5. was, 6. is, 7. is, 8. is, 9. has, 10. is, 11. is, 12. are

Worksheet 3

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

1. My father and mother ……………………. in the same office. (work / works)

2. Rani ……………………. music lessons twice a week. (has / have)

3. Most children ……………………. cartoon shows. (like/ likes)

4. Somebody …………………….. left their umbrella in the classroom. (has / have)

5. Some people ………………………. rich and some ……………………. poor. (is / are)

6. Measles ………………………. highly contagious. (is / are)

7. My brother ………………………. in the armed forces. (serve / serves)

8. She both …………………… and ………………… (sing / sings; dance / dances)

9. I ………………………. want to quit. (doesn’t / don’t)

10. This shirt ……………………… very expensive. (is / are)

11. The news of his demise ……………………… shocking. (was / were)

12. Pirates of the Caribbean ………………………. a fantasy movie. (was / were)

Answers

1. work, 2. has, 3. like, 4. has, 5. are, are, 6. is, 7. serves, 8. sings, dances, 9. don’t, 10. is, 11. was, 12. was