Free Subject-Verb Agreement MCQs with Answers

11. Choose the correct verb: The committee ____ divided in its opinion.

• A. is
• B. are
• C. have
• D. were

Explanation: A collective noun takes a singular verb when the group acts as one body, and the singular possessive its later in the sentence confirms that reading here. When the members are considered individually a plural verb is possible, as in the committee have gone home to their families. Consistency within the sentence is what matters most.

12. Choose the correct verb: Mathematics ____ my favourite subject.

• A. are
• B. is
• C. were
• D. have been

Explanation: Subjects ending in ics such as mathematics, physics, economics and statistics are singular despite their plural appearance. The same is true of news and measles. When statistics means individual figures rather than the discipline, it does take a plural verb.

13. Which of the following sentences has correct subject verb agreement?

• A. The teacher give the students homework.
• B. The teacher gives the students homework.
• C. The teachers gives the student homework.
• D. The teachers given the student homework.

Explanation: A singular subject takes the verb form ending in s in the present simple, so the teacher gives is correct. The third option pairs a plural subject with that singular verb, which is the reverse error, and the fourth uses a past participle with no auxiliary. The rule is easy to state and easy to slip on, because the s ending marks the plural on nouns but the singular on verbs.

14. A black and white cow ________ grazing in the field.

• A. is
• B. are
• C. were
• D. None of These

Explanation: “A black and white cow” refers to one cow with two colours, so it takes the singular verb “is.” The verb would be plural only if two separate cows were intended.

15. Not only teacher but students ________ laughing.

• A. Was
• B. Had been
• C. were
• D. None of these

Explanation: With “not only…but,” the verb agrees with the nearer subject, “students,” which is plural. Therefore, “were” is required.

16. Today, banking in a seamless world ______ a distinct reality.

• A. Are
• B. was
• C. Have
• D. Is

Explanation: The subject is singular, “banking,” so it takes the singular verb “is.” The phrase “in a seamless world” does not affect subject-verb agreement.

17. Mumps_______ a terrible disease.

• A. Is
• B. Are
• C. Have
• D. None of these

Explanation: Although “mumps” ends in -s, it is the name of one disease and therefore takes the singular verb “is.” Similar disease names such as measles are commonly treated as singular.

18. Teachers as well as headmaster _______ punctual of time

• A. Is
• B. Are
• C. Have
• D. Was

Explanation: The main subject is “Teachers”; the phrase “as well as headmaster” is additional information and does not change the number of the subject. Therefore, the plural verb “are” is required.

19. Each of us _____ eaten our meal.

• A. Have
• B. Has
• C. Are
• D. was

Explanation: “Each” is singular even when followed by “of us,” so it takes the singular auxiliary “has.” The complete form is “Each of us has eaten our meal.”

20. A hundred rupees ______ all that he wants.

• A. was
• B. Were
• C. Is
• D. Are

Explanation: A sum of money treated as one total takes a singular verb: “A hundred rupees is all that he wants.” The plural noun “rupees” does not control the verb when the amount is viewed as a single unit.