Singular vs. Plural
Identify the Error:
"The cat sleep on the sofa."
The cat sleeps on the sofa.
Identify the Error:
"The team are winning their game."
The team is winning their game.
Identify the Error:
"The teacher and the student was late to class."
The teacher and the student were late to class.
Identify the Error:
"Everyone have their own desk."
Everyone has their own desk.
Identify the Error:
"The teacher, along with the students, are ready for the field trip."
The teacher, along with the students, is ready for the field trip
Fill in the Blank:
"The dogs in the park ___ very playful."
are
Fill in the Blank:
"The committee ___ met to discuss the new policy."
has
Fill in the Blank:
"Either the manager or the assistants ___ responsible for the report."
are
Fill in the Blank:
"Somebody ___ to call the client."
has
Fill in the Blank:
"The book, including the introduction and appendices, ___ on the shelf."
is
Correct the Sentence:
"The book and the magazine is on the table."
The book and the magazine are on the table.
Correct the Sentence:
"The staff were excited about the new office."
The staff was excited about the new office.
Correct the Sentence:
"Neither the book nor the articles was useful."
Neither the book nor the articles were useful.
Correct the Sentence:
"None of the information were helpful."
None of the information was helpful.
Correct the Sentence:
"The dogs, despite their size, runs very fast."
The dogs, despite their size, run very fast.
Rewrite to Correct the Error:
"Neither the teacher nor the students was aware of the change."
Neither the teacher nor the students were aware of the change.
Rewrite to Correct the Error:
"The jury were still deliberating the verdict."
The jury was still deliberating the verdict.
Rewrite to Correct the Error:
"The singer and the guitarist has performed beautifully."
The singer and the guitarist have performed beautifully.
Rewrite to Correct the Error:
"Few of the students has completed the assignment."
Few of the students have completed the assignment.
Rewrite to Correct the Error:
"The professor, along with his research assistants, were preparing for the lecture."
The professor, along with his research assistants, was preparing for the lecture.
Explain the Error:
"The group of volunteers are organizing a charity event."
The group of volunteers is organizing a charity event. (The subject "group" is singular, so the verb should be singular.)
Explain the Error:
"The family have decided to go on vacation next month."
The family has decided to go on vacation next month. (The word "family" is a collective noun considered singular.)
Explain the Error:
"The director or the actors were supposed to answer the questions."
The director or the actors was supposed to answer the questions. (When the subject is compound with “or,” the verb agrees with the part closest to it. In this case, “actors” is plural, so the verb should be “were.”)
Explain the Error:
"Each of the team members have a unique skill."
Each of the team members has a unique skill. (The pronoun “each” is singular, so the verb must be singular as well.)
Explain the Error:
"The house, with all its rooms and furniture, need a fresh coat of paint."
The house, with all its rooms and furniture, needs a fresh coat of paint. (The main subject is "house," which is singular, so the verb should be singular as well.)