Fill in the blanks with the correct verb that agrees with the subject in the following sentences: (i) Each student _______ informed about the cultural programme. (ii) Neither Ravi nor I _______ any interest in this project. (a) was (b) were (c) has (d) have
(i)-(a), (ii)-(d)
Grammar Explanation: Subject-Verb Agreement
This question tests understanding of subject-verb agreement in English grammar, specifically focusing on indefinite pronouns like 'each' and correlative conjunctions like 'neither...nor'.
Sentence (i): Agreement with 'Each'
- The sentence is: "Each student _______ informed about the cultural programme."
- The subject is "Each student". The word 'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun.
- Singular subjects require singular verbs.
- In the past tense, the singular form of 'to be' is 'was'.
- Therefore, the correct verb is 'was'. The sentence becomes: "Each student was informed about the cultural programme."
Sentence (ii): Agreement with 'Neither...nor'
- The sentence is: "Neither Ravi nor I _______ any interest in this project."
- The structure "Neither...nor" connects two subjects: "Ravi" and "I".
- With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. In this case, "I" is the closest subject.
- The pronoun "I" requires specific verb forms. Considering the options provided ('has', 'have'), we look for present tense agreement.
- The first-person singular pronoun "I" takes the verb "have" in the present tense (e.g., "I have a pen"). It does not take "has".
- Therefore, the correct verb is 'have'. The sentence becomes: "Neither Ravi nor I have any interest in this project."
Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- Sentence (i) requires the singular verb 'was'.
- Sentence (ii) requires the verb 'have' to agree with 'I'.
The correct combination is (i)-(a) and (ii)-(d).
Important Questions from Grammar
Directions: In this question, a sentence has been divided into five parts (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E). Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error if any, will be in one part of the sentence. If there is no error, the answer is 'No error'. Ignore the error of punctuation if any.
Too often, picnic (A)/ preparation consists (B)/ of throwing together some sandwiches (C)/ and grabbing a apple. (D)/ No error (E)
Directions: In this question, a sentence has been divided into five parts (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E). Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error if any, will be in one part of the sentence. If there is no error, the answer is 'No error'. Ignore the error of punctuation if any.
The conference will (A)/ give us an opportunity (B)/ to exchange informations (C)/ with other researchers. (D)/ No error (E)
Directions: In this question, a sentence has been divided into five parts (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E). Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error if any, will be in one part of the sentence. If there is no error, the answer is 'No error'. Ignore the error of punctuation if any.
One of the (A)/ aim of Ethnography is (B)/ to contribute to an understanding (C)/ of the human race. (D)/ No error (E)
Directions: In this question, a sentence has been divided into five parts (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E). Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error if any, will be in one part of the sentence. If there is no error, the answer is 'No error'. Ignore the error of punctuation if any.
If you will eat (A)/ your breakfast, you (B)/ will be allowed (C)/ to watch television. (D)/ No error (E)
Direction: A sentence/part of the sentence is emboldened. Five alternatives are given to the embolden part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative and choose the option corresponding to it. In case no improvement is needed, click the option corresponding to ‘No improvement required’.
No witnesses to the accident have come forward yet, despite the police's appeal.
