Error Spotting - Subject Verb — Set 14
Questions 131–140 of 160
The group of scientists are investigating a new phenomenon.
Correct Answer: B. scientists are
'Group' is singular and requires 'is', not 'are'. The correct sentence should be: 'The group of scientists is investigating a new phenomenon.'
Neither the first nor the second solution are satisfactory.
Correct Answer: C. are satisfactory
With 'neither.nor' when both subjects are singular, the verb should be 'is', not 'are'. The correct sentence is: 'Neither the first nor the second solution is satisfactory.'
What is the measure of people who have successfully completed the training?
Correct Answer: D. No Error
The correct answer is 'No Error'. This sentence is correct. The relative pronoun 'who' refers to 'people' (plural), requiring 'have'. The structure properly demonstrates subject-verb agreement.
The organisation, including all its departments, are planning a major expansion.
Correct Answer: C. are planning
'Organisation' is singular. The phrase 'including all its departments' is parenthetical and doesn't change the subject. It should be 'is', not 'are'. The correct sentence is: 'The organisation, including all its departments, is planning a major expansion.'
Either my mother or my sisters is coming to the event.
Correct Answer: C. is coming
With 'either.or', the verb agrees with the nearest subject 'sisters' (plural), so the verb should be 'are'. The correct sentence is: 'Either my mother or my sisters are coming to the event.'
There are hundreds of documents that needs to be processed.
Correct Answer: C. needs to be
The relative pronoun 'that' refers to 'documents' (plural), so the verb should be 'need', not 'needs'. The correct sentence is: 'There are hundreds of documents that need to be processed.'
The class have completed their final examinations.
Correct Answer: B. have completed
'Class' is a collective noun treated as singular in American English, so it requires the singular verb 'has', not 'have'. The correct sentence should read: 'The class has completed their final examinations.' Using 'their' with the singular collective noun is acceptable in standard usage.
Neither the author nor the publisher were concerned about the criticism.
Correct Answer: C. were concerned
With 'neither.nor', the verb agrees with the nearest subject 'publisher' (singular), so the verb should be 'was'. The correct sentence is: 'Neither the author nor the publisher was concerned about the criticism.'
Each article and review have been carefully edited.
Correct Answer: C. have been
When subjects are connected by 'and' with 'each', the subject is singular. The verb should be 'has been', not 'have been'. The correct sentence is: 'Each article and review has been carefully edited.'
The amount of work assigned to us are unreasonable.
Correct Answer: C. are unreasonable
'Amount' is singular and requires 'is', not 'are'. The correct sentence should be: 'The amount of work assigned to us is unreasonable.' 'Amount' refers to a singular quantity, not countable items.