Subject-Verb Agreement

8 Grade 10 English questions on Subject-Verb Agreement, with worked marking schemes. 8 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Choose the correct verb form: "Neither the prefects nor the class teacher ___ aware of the change in the timetable."

   A. were

   B. have been

   C. was

   D. are

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   2 marks

   In the sentence "The bunch of bananas on the table is ripe", the verb is singular although 'bananas' is plural. Explain why.

   (2 marks)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   Choose the correct verb form: "The sack of dry maize cobs ___ kept in the granary until the short rains end."

   A. were

   B. have been

   C. are

   D. is

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   Choose the correct verb form: "The news about the postponed county drama festival ___ reached every school in Nyeri."

   A. are

   B. have

   C. has

   D. were

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   3 marks

   Distinguish between the use of the verb in "The number of candidates is rising" and "A number of candidates are absent".

   (3 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Award 1 mark each for any three of the following: - 'The number' refers to a single total or figure, so it is singular and takes 'is'. - 'A number of' means 'many' or 'several'; it is a quantifier, so the verb agrees with the plural noun that follows it, giving 'are'. - In 'a number of candidates', the real subject controlling the verb is 'candidates', not 'number'. - A correct example of the learner's own showing the contrast, e.g. 'The number of dairy cows in the co-operative is small, but a number of farmers are joining every week.' Maximum 3 marks.

6. Question 6

   3 marks

   Study the sentence below. "Neither the farm workers nor the supervisor ___ (know) the new milking times."

   (a) State the rule that governs agreement in sentences joined by 'neither ... nor'.

   (b) Write the correct form of the verb in brackets.

   (c) Rewrite the sentence with the two subjects in the reverse order, making any change the rule requires.

   (3 marks)

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7. Question 7

   4 marks

   Rewrite each of the following sentences, correcting the error of subject-verb agreement.

   (i) There is several potholes on the road to Marsabit.

   (ii) The scissors in the sewing room is blunt.

   (iii) Physics are Achieng's favourite subject.

   (iv) Every one of the tents were pitched before sunset.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Award 1 mark for each corrected sentence. The correction must be to the verb; ignore other rewording that does not change the meaning. (i) There are several potholes on the road to Marsabit. (1 mark: the real subject 'potholes' follows the verb and is plural) (ii) The scissors in the sewing room are blunt. (1 mark: 'scissors' is a plural-only noun) (iii) Physics is Achieng's favourite subject. (1 mark: a subject name ending in -s is singular) (iv) Every one of the tents was pitched before sunset. (1 mark: 'every one' is singular) No mark where the learner changes the subject to fit the verb, e.g. 'Physics are subjects'.

8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Choose the correct verb form: "The principal, as well as the two deputies, ___ attending the county prize-giving ceremony on Friday."

   A. are

   B. have been

   C. were

   D. is

   (1 mark)

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