Class 8 English — Agreement with a tricky subject

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

Name: ________________________

1.Which sentence is correct?
- a) The pile of letters was on the desk.
- b) The pile of letters were on the desk.
- c) The pile of letters have been sitting there.
- d) The pile of letters are on the desk.
2.Neither Ravi nor his brothers ____ coming.
- a) has
- b) are
- c) was
- d) is
3.The box of old books ____ on the floor.
- a) is
- b) were
- c) have
- d) are
4.Write "has" or "have": Every one of the players ____ arrived.
5.Write "is" or "are": The keys to the cupboard ____ missing.
6.Sort each subject by the verb form it needs.
Groups: Takes a singular verb · Takes a plural verb
- Many students
- Some of my friends
- Both of the girls
- One of my friends
- Every student
- Each of the girls
7.One of the windows ____ broken.
- a) have
- b) are
- c) were
- d) is
8.Ten years ____ a long time to wait for a reply.
- a) have
- b) are
- c) is
- d) were

Answer key — Class 8 English — Agreement with a tricky subject

1. a) The pile of letters was on the desk.
2. b) are
3. a) is
4. has
5. are
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. d) is
8. c) is