Error Spotting - Subject Verb — Set 2
Questions 11–20 of 160
The physics class have finished their examination yesterday.
Correct Answer: B. have finished
The collective noun 'class' is singular and requires 'has', not 'have'. The correct sentence should read: 'The physics class has finished their examination yesterday.' Although we can use 'their' with a singular collective when referring to the members individually.
Each boy and every girl have to submit their homework on time.
Correct Answer: B. every girl have
When subjects are connected by 'and' with 'each' or 'every', the verb is singular. The correct verb is 'has', not 'have'. The sentence should be: 'Each boy and every girl has to submit their homework on time.'
There have been many complaints regarding the poor service at the restaurant.
Correct Answer: D. No Error
This sentence is correct. In the inverted structure with 'There', the plural noun 'complaints' requires the plural verb 'have been'. The entire construction demonstrates proper subject-verb agreement in an inverted sentence.
Neither of the two proposals are acceptable to the board.
Correct Answer: C. are acceptable
'Neither' is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular, requiring the verb 'is', not 'are'. The correct sentence should be: 'Neither of the two proposals is acceptable to the board.'
Either the students or the teacher have made a mistake in the calculation.
Correct Answer: C. have made
With 'either...or', the verb agrees with the nearest subject. 'The teacher' is singular and closest, so the verb should be 'has made'. The sentence should read: 'Either the students or the teacher has made a mistake in the calculation.'
The group of students are working on their science project together.
Correct Answer: B. students are
'Group' is a singular collective noun and requires the singular verb 'is', not 'are'. The sentence should be: 'The group of students is working on their science project together.' The phrase 'of students' is a prepositional phrase that doesn't change the singular nature of 'group'.
What is the number of people who is attending the conference?
Correct Answer: C. who is
The relative pronoun 'who' refers to 'people', which is plural, and requires the plural verb 'are', not 'is'. The correct sentence should be: 'What is the number of people who are attending the conference?'
The audience were silent as the speaker began his address.
Correct Answer: B. were silent
'Audience' is a singular collective noun that takes a singular verb 'was', not 'were'. The correct sentence should be: 'The audience was silent as the speaker began his address.'
Either my mother or I am responsible for preparing the dinner.
Correct Answer: D. No Error
This sentence is correct. With 'either...or', the verb agrees with the nearest subject. Since 'I' is the nearest subject and 'am' is the correct form of 'be' for 'I', the entire construction is grammatically accurate.
Every person in the office building have received their security pass.
Correct Answer: B. have received
'Every' always makes the subject singular, so 'have' should be 'has'. The correct sentence is: 'Every person in the office building has received their security pass.' The pronoun 'their' is correctly used with the singular 'every person'.