Error Spotting - Subject Verb — Set 9
Questions 81–90 of 160
The government has taken steps to improve the infrastructure.
Correct Answer: D. No Error
The correct answer is 'No Error'. This sentence is correct. 'Government' is singular and takes the singular verb 'has taken'. The structure properly demonstrates subject-verb agreement.
What are the list of things that needs to be done?
Correct Answer: A. What are
The head noun of the question is 'list', which is singular, so the interrogative verb should be 'is', not 'are'. Option A ('What are') contains the dominant error because the singular subject 'list' requires 'What is'. The correct sentence is: 'What is the list of things that need to be done?' Note that 'need' (not 'needs') is also required since 'that' refers to the plural 'things', but the primary structural error is the wrong interrogative verb in option A.
The congregation were singing hymns with great enthusiasm.
Correct Answer: B. were singing
'Congregation' is singular and requires 'was', not 'were'. The correct sentence should be: 'The congregation was singing hymns with great enthusiasm.' This is a collective noun in American English.
Either the red car or the blue cars is parked in front of the house.
Correct Answer: C. is parked
With 'either.or', the verb agrees with the nearest subject 'cars' (plural), so the verb should be 'are'. The correct sentence is: 'Either the red car or the blue cars are parked in front of the house.'
The species of birds in this region are migratory during winter.
Correct Answer: C. are migratory
'Species' can be singular or plural depending on context. In this case, with 'birds' (plural) implied, it's plural. However, 'species' as a collective noun is often singular. The sentence would be clearer as: 'The species of birds in this region is migratory during winter.' or 'Birds of this species are migratory.' This construction is debatable.
The number of students attending the seminar have increased.
Correct Answer: C. have increased
'The number of' is singular and requires 'has', not 'have'. The correct sentence is: 'The number of students attending the seminar has increased.' 'Number' (the count) is the subject, not 'students'.
Neither the witnesses nor the suspect was able to explain the incident.
Correct Answer: D. No Error
By the neither/nor proximity rule, the verb agrees with the nearest subject. Here 'suspect' is the nearest subject and it is singular, so 'was' is the correct past-tense verb form. The sentence 'Neither the witnesses nor the suspect was able to explain the incident' is grammatically correct as written. There is no error in this sentence.
Either of the restaurants serve good quality food.
Correct Answer: C. serve good
'Either' is singular and requires 'serves', not 'serve'. The correct sentence should be: 'Either of the restaurants serves good quality food.' Indefinite pronouns like 'either' and 'neither' are always singular.
There is a cat and two dogs waiting at the door.
Correct Answer: A. There is
With a compound subject connected by 'and', the verb should be plural 'are'. The correct sentence is: 'There are a cat and two dogs waiting at the door.' Even with an inverted sentence structure, compound subjects require plural verbs.
Each girl and each boy are required to wear uniforms.
Correct Answer: C. are required
When 'each' precedes both subjects connected by 'and', the verb is singular. It should be 'is', not 'are'. The correct sentence is: 'Each girl and each boy is required to wear uniforms.'