Subject-Verb Agreement
The name list, in addition to the emcee scripts, _______ in the envelope.
(is, are, had been, have been)
is
This is a poor neighbourhood. ______, the streets are clean and safe.
(Then, However, Although, Therefore)
However
We use However to begin a sentence to show that it is surprising when contrasted with the sentence before it.
If you _______ to your teacher, you would not be in this situation now.
(listened, had listened, would listen, have listened)
had listened
The tourist ___________ at the hotel early this morning.
(checked in, checked off, checked out, checked over)
checked in
The Hunger Games sold more than 20 million copies in 2012, ______________?
(did it, did they, didn't it, didn't they)
didn't it
Kelly is one of the club members who _____ going on overseas leave next year.
(is, are, was, were)
is
Mel went to work ______ the fact that she had twisted her ankle.
(even, despite, although, because of)
despite
If you ______ questions to clarify your doubts, you will be able to understand the topic better.
(ask, asked, had asked, have asked)
ask
We use the present tense in an if-clause to talk about a real possibility.
A burglar ________ Thomas's house last night and stole some valuable items.
(broke in, broke out, broke into, broke inside)
broke into
Cows eat grass, ______ they?
(do, does, don't, doesn't)
don't
The officer requested that he ______ all his documents without further delay.
(submit, submits, submitted, has submitted)
submits
This apartment is beautiful. ______, I cannot imagine living her permanently.
(Although, Whereas, Nonetheless, Even though)
Nonetheless
We usually Nonetheless to show contrast between two sentences and to show that something is surprising after the previous statement.
If you ______ someone to assist you, just inform me.
(need, needed, has needed, had needed)
need
We use the present tense in an if-clause to talk about a real possibility.
The police warned the protesters not to _______ any trouble.
(stir in, stir up, stir away, stir round)
stir up
The blue bag over there belongs to your sister, ______?
(does it, does he, doesn't it, doesn't he)
doesn't it
This is a positive statement with the verb belongs. When the statement does not have a helping verb, we use does, do or did in the question tag. The subject of the sentence is the blue bag, so we use the tag doesn’t it.
All those vases, including the one on the shelf, _____ to be returned to Tim.
(do, has, does, have)
have
That lady looks familiar. ______ I have met her before?
(May, Shall, Could, Should)
Could
We use Could…have to talk about a possibility in the past. The word before shows that the question is about the past.
If you give me another chance, I _____ surely try my best.
(will, shall, would, should)
will
We use will in a conditional sentence to talk about a real possibility.
"What time do you have to be ______ the stadium?" he asked.
(in, at, on, to)
at
"I believe your interest in his activity won't last long, ____?" his fried said doubtfully.
(will it, will you, would it, would you)
will it
Not only the twins but also their younger sister ______ down with severe flu.
(is, are, was, were)
is
When two nouns/noun phrases are linked by Not only…but also, the verb agrees with the noun or noun phrase nearer to it. In this sentence, the verb agrees with their younger sister, which is singular.
After going through the Creative Writing Masterclass, I ____ write much faster now.
(can, will, could, would)
can
We use can to talk about ability.
Did anyone ______ to Jane just now?
(talk, walks, talked, talking)
talk
I think we should ______ at the next station to go to Marina Bay Sands.
(get up, get off, get down, get away)
get off
Have a snack while you wait, ______?" the receptionist said politely.
(do you, can you, may you, won't you)
won't you