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ENGLISH GRAMMAR (CLASS 3–10) · VERBS

Subject–verb agreement

A singular subject takes a singular verb (is, has, goes) and a plural subject takes a plural verb (are, have, go). Find the real subject first.

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Worked examples

Example 1 · level 1

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank: “The scissors ____ on the table.”

  1. was
  2. has
  3. is
  4. are
Show solution
  1. Words for things with two parts (scissors, trousers, spectacles) are plural → are.
  2. Complete sentence: “The scissors are on the table.”

Answer: are

Example 2 · level 2

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank: “A number of students ____ absent today.”

  1. is
  2. was
  3. has
  4. are
Show solution
  1. "A number of" means "many" → plural verb: are.
  2. Complete sentence: “A number of students are absent today.”

Answer: are

Example 3 · level 3

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank: “The rich ____ not always happy.”

  1. has
  2. are
  3. is
  4. was
Show solution
  1. "The rich" means rich people → plural: are.
  2. Complete sentence: “The rich are not always happy.”

Answer: are

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