Sentence Logic & Structure
In the sentence "The explanation of the procedures (was / were) too complex for the participants to follow without additional clarification," which verb is correct ?
Answer: was — the subject is "The explanation," which is singular; the prepositional phrase does not change the verb.
"Neither the director nor the actors (was / were) available for an interview following the premiere."
Answer: were — verb agrees with closest plural noun "actors."
"Three hours of lecture (was / were) more than enough for one day."
Answer: was — time is treated as a single unit.
"Each of the applications (was / were) reviewed thoroughly by the admissions committee."
Answer: was — "each" is singular.
"The committee (was / were) unanimous in its decision to postpone the event."
Answer: was — committee acted as a unit.
Identify the error: "The conclusion, along with the recommendations from the board, have been accepted."
Answer: "have" should be "has" — the subject is "The conclusion" (singular).
"Both the syllabus and the textbook (contains / contain) numerous references to post-colonial theory."
Answer: contain — "both...and" creates a plural subject.
"The Lord of the Rings (is / are) one of the most influential works of fantasy literature."
Answer: is — a title of a work is singular.
"Many of the theories proposed during the symposium (has / have) been challenged."
Answer: have — "many" is plural.
"The staff (disagree / disagrees) on the implementation of the policy."
Answer: disagree — staff members act individually.
Which verb correctly completes the sentence: "The contents of the package, including several rare documents, (was / were) examined by the archivist."
Answer: were — "contents" is plural.
Explain why this is correct: "Either the dean or the professors have issued the announcement."
Answer: "Professors" is plural and closest to the verb, so "have" is correct.
Choose the correct verb:
"Twenty dollars (is / are) too much for a cup of coffee at the campus cafe."
Answer: is — amount of money is singular.
Choose the correct sentence:
A. None of the information have been verified.
B. None of the information has been verified.
Answer: B — "information" is uncountable and singular.
True or False:
Collective nouns are always plural.
Answer: False — depends on context.
Explain the subject-verb agreement error: "The value of these coins seem to increase every year."
Answer: "seem" should be "seems" — subject is "The value" (singular).
Fix the error:
"Neither the assistants nor the supervisor have submitted the final report."
Answer: "have" should be "has" — singular subject "supervisor" is closest.
True or False:
A title that ends in -s always takes a plural verb.
Answer: False — it's still a single work.
Explain the pronoun-verb error:
"Few of the students has submitted their projects."
Answer: "has" should be "have" — "few" is plural.
Correct the error:
"The faculty is arguing among itself."
Answer: Change to "are arguing among themselves" — acting individually.
Choose the correct verb: "The origin of the stories told in ancient civilizations (is / are) a topic of significant scholarly debate."
Answer: is — subject is "The origin" (singular).
Critical Thinking:
Rewrite the sentence with correct agreement — "Either the guidelines or the student needs to be adjusted."
Answer: "Either the student or the guidelines need to be adjusted." — Verb should agree with the closer plural subject.
Critical Thinking:
Justify the verb choice in this sentence — "Ten miles is a long distance to walk in this heat."
Answer: "is" is correct because "ten miles" is seen as a singular measurement.
Critical Thinking:
Identify the correct form — "All of the pie (has / have) been eaten." Explain why.
Answer: has — "pie" is uncountable and treated as singular.
Critical Thinking:
Analyze this sentence — "The team have returned to their homes after the tournament." Justify the verb form.
Answer: "have" is correct — members are acting separately, not as a unit.