Error Spotting - Subject Verb — Set 6
Questions 51–60 of 160
Either the teachers or the principal are going to address the assembly.
Correct Answer: C. are going
With 'either...or', the verb agrees with the nearest subject 'principal' (singular), so the verb should be 'is'. The correct sentence is: 'Either the teachers or the principal is going to address the assembly.'
There is dozens of museums to visit in this historic city.
Correct Answer: A. There is
In an inverted sentence, the verb must agree with the plural noun 'museums'. It should be 'There are dozens of museums'. The word 'dozens' indicates plurality.
The committee, along with the board members, have decided to postpone the meeting.
Correct Answer: C. have decided
'Committee' is the singular subject. The phrase 'along with the board members' is a parenthetical expression set off by commas. The verb should be 'has', not 'have'. The correct sentence is: 'The committee, along with the board members, has decided to postpone the meeting.'
Each of the participants were required to complete the survey.
Correct Answer: B. participants were
'Each' is always singular and requires 'was', not 'were'. The correct sentence should be: 'Each of the participants was required to complete the survey.' 'Each' emphasizes the individual nature despite the plural noun.
The quality of these products have been consistently high.
Correct Answer: C. have been
'Quality' is singular and requires 'has been', not 'have been'. The correct sentence should be: 'The quality of these products has been consistently high.' 'Of these products' is a prepositional phrase that doesn't change the singular subject.
Neither the manager nor the employees wants to accept the terms.
Correct Answer: C. wants to
With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearest subject 'employees' (plural), so the verb should be 'want'. The correct sentence is: 'Neither the manager nor the employees want to accept the terms.'
The group were divided in their opinions regarding the policy change.
Correct Answer: B. were divided
'Group' is singular and requires 'was', not 'were'. The correct sentence should be: 'The group was divided in their opinions regarding the policy change.' Although 'was' is singular, using 'their' with singular collective nouns is acceptable.
Every one of the applications have been reviewed by the committee.
Correct Answer: C. have been
'Every one' is singular and requires 'has been', not 'have been'. The correct sentence is: 'Every one of the applications has been reviewed by the committee.' 'Every one' remains singular regardless of what follows in the prepositional phrase.
There are a few important issues that needs to be addressed immediately.
Correct Answer: C. needs to be
The relative pronoun 'that' refers to the plural noun 'issues', so the verb should be 'need', not 'needs'. The correct sentence is: 'There are a few important issues that need to be addressed immediately.'
Either the sales team or the management have approved this proposal.
Correct Answer: C. have approved
With 'either...or', the verb agrees with the nearest subject 'management' (singular), so the verb should be 'has'. The correct sentence is: 'Either the sales team or the management has approved this proposal.'