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Year 9 English — Agreement with a tricky subject

Make the verb agree with its real subject, even when other words come in between.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Write "is" or "are": The bunch of keys ____ missing.

  2. 2.Mathematics ____ my favourite subject.

    • a) were
    • b) is
    • c) are
    • d) have

  3. 3.One of the windows ____ broken.

    • a) are
    • b) were
    • c) have
    • d) is

  4. 4.Neither the brothers nor Ravi ____ coming.

    • a) have
    • b) is
    • c) are
    • d) were

  5. 5.Match each subject to the verb that agrees with it.

    • Each of the boys
    • Both of the boys
    • The tray of glasses
    • The glasses on the tray
    • have finished
    • has finished
    • are on the shelf
    • is on the shelf

  6. 6.Sort each subject by the verb form it needs.

    Groups: Takes a singular verb · Takes a plural verb

    • Many students
    • One of my friends
    • Each of the girls
    • Both of the girls
    • Some of my friends
    • Every student

  7. 7.The box of old books ____ on the floor.

    • a) are
    • b) is
    • c) have
    • d) were

  8. 8.Write "is" or "are": The keys to the cupboard ____ missing.

Answer key — Year 9 English — Agreement with a tricky subject

  1. 1. is
  2. 2. b) is
  3. 3. d) is
  4. 4. b) is
  5. 5. Each of the boys → has finished; Both of the boys → have finished; The tray of glasses → is on the shelf; The glasses on the tray → are on the shelf
  6. 6. Each of the girls → Takes a singular verb; Both of the girls → Takes a plural verb; Every student → Takes a singular verb; Many students → Takes a plural verb; One of my friends → Takes a singular verb; Some of my friends → Takes a plural verb
  7. 7. b) is
  8. 8. are