The Sunday News
NUMBER refers to the form of a word that indicates whether it is singular or plural. A verb must agree with its subject in number. Singular subjects indicate one and require a singular verb. Plural subjects indicate more than one and require a plural verb.
With most regular verbs, add –s or –es to form the singular. Examples: Singular — The boy writes. The champion boxes. Plural — the boys write. The champions box.
An exception to the rule occurs with the pronoun I and you. Both take the plural form of a verb, even when you refers to one person.
The only exception is be; when I is the subject, the verb form is am. Example: I eat breakfast. You prepare dinner. Whether functioning as main verbs or auxiliary verbs be, have and do change in form to show agreement. In fact, the number of a verb phrase is indicated these auxiliary verbs.
Notice in the verb phrases the main verbs do not change form. Examples: Singular: I am late. He is laughing. The applicant has experience. She has listened intently. Does he need help? Examples: Plural: We are late. We are laughing. The applicants have experience. They have listened intently. Do they need help?
Practice – Subject-Verb Agreement
Write the correct verb from the choice in brackets. 1 (Has, Have) the invitations been sent. 2 She (sits, sit) in the second row from the left. 3 The new shopping mall (opens, open) in two weeks. 4 I (is, am) going to the mall when it opens. 5 (Does, Do) she always check he mathematics? 6 The cars (is, are) covered with dust. 7 The story (is, are) one of the saddest I’ve ever heard. 8 The last few days (has, have) been perfect.
This week we have changed from the norm. The article carries more of practice work than mere explanations. We believe this will make our learners more involved and offer them with some challenging work. Write the correct verb form from the choice in brackets: 1 There (was, were) two crocodiles at the edge of the swamp. 2 Neither the windows nor the door (was, were) locked. A row of gum trees (protect, protects) the house from the wind.
Neither the hammer nor the nails (was, were) in the toolbox. Eighty percent of this test in mathematics (deals, deal) with fractions. Here (is, are) the statistics from the National Statistics Office. The centre of attraction (was, were) the three clowns. Everyone in the organisation (participates, participate) in the fund-raiser. To raise horses (takes, take) patience. All of the bicycles in the parade (was, were) decorated. (Has, Have) the contest winners been announced yet.
The pedestrians who crossed in the middle of the street (was, were) given traffic tickets. News of events in foreign countries (reaches, reach) this country in minutes. Ninety-nine cents (is, are) the price of the bottle of vitamins.
Every boy and girl in school (has, have) purchased a ticket for the field trip. The class of 90 (is, are) coming from many parts of the country for the reunion.
Write the correct form of the verb in brackets in the following sentences: Instructions for assemblage are (give) on page one. I (call) when I arrived. Bones have been (break) by a simple misstep. I have (pay) all my bills. AS more people talked, the rumours (grow). I think you (do) the best thing when you helped her. All the details of the new law are not yet (know). This problem can be (break) down into three separate parts.
By the time they got up, the sun had (rise) and the beach was crowded. After his walk yesterday, the dog (drink) an entire bowl of water. I (catch) a cold last week. Before my brother awakens in the morning, I will have (creep) into her room to decorate it for her birthday. Your front tyre has (spring) a leak. When I (bite) into the apple, I realised that it was not yet ripe.
There were so many phone calls that I (become) annoyed. Years ago, a family’s water supply was (draw) from a well. Everything (tastes, taste) better when camping outside. The seniors have a group picture taken, and most (buys, buy) it, Most of the jam (is, are) gone. A police officer stopped the driver of a truck and the driver of a car; both (was, were) travelling too fast.
Learners read poems in school, but few (memorises, memorise) them. Everybody (hopes, hope) for good health. Peter and his classmate work at a grocery store; neither (likes, like) the job. All of the notebook paper (is, are) lined.
Do any of the sweaters (has, have) short sleeves? Which careers appeal to you (depends, depend) on your interests.
Digging ditches (is, are) hard work. Climbing mountains (is, are) a challenge many enjoy. Whoever wins the game (receives, receive) the award. To drive all day (tires, tire) the eyes.
I believe that after going through these exercises learners will have gained something during this lock down.
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