Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response. The chairman with the other members of the board are touring Europe these days.
Is touring
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement with Phrases
Let's analyze the given sentence to understand the rules of subject-verb agreement, especially when phrases like "with" are involved.
The original sentence is:
"The chairman with the other members of the board are touring Europe these days."
The underlined part is "are touring". We need to determine if this verb phrase correctly agrees with the subject of the sentence.
Identifying the True Subject for Verb Agreement
In English grammar, the verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. It's important to correctly identify the main subject of the sentence.
In the sentence, the phrase "with the other members of the board" is a prepositional phrase. Phrases starting with prepositions like "with", "along with", "together with", "as well as", etc., when they follow the subject, do not change the number of the subject. The verb still agrees with the noun or pronoun that comes before this prepositional phrase.
In our sentence, the subject is "The chairman". This is a singular subject.
Analyzing the Original Verb and Options
The verb in the original sentence is "are touring". "Are" is a plural form of the verb "to be". Since the subject "The chairman" is singular, the plural verb "are touring" is grammatically incorrect. The verb needs to be singular.
Now, let's look at the given options:
- Have been on touring
- Is touring
- Have toured
- No improvement
We need to find the option that provides a singular verb form that fits the context "these days", which indicates an ongoing action.
- Option 1: Have been on touring
- "Have" is a plural auxiliary verb. It does not agree with the singular subject "The chairman".
- The phrasing "been on touring" is awkward and not standard English.
- Therefore, this option is incorrect.
- Option 2: Is touring
- "Is" is a singular form of the verb "to be". It agrees with the singular subject "The chairman".
- "Is touring" is in the present continuous tense, which correctly describes an action happening "these days".
- This option provides the correct singular verb form and fits the context.
- Option 3: Have toured
- "Have" is a plural auxiliary verb. It does not agree with the singular subject "The chairman".
- "Have toured" is in the present perfect tense, which describes an action completed in the past or starting in the past and continuing to the present. While possible, "is touring" is a better fit for an action explicitly stated as happening "these days". However, the primary issue is the plural verb "have".
- Therefore, this option is incorrect.
- Option 4: No improvement
- The original sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error ("The chairman" is singular, but the verb "are touring" is plural). Therefore, improvement is needed.
- This option is incorrect.
Based on the analysis, option 2, "Is touring", is the correct substitution because it provides a singular verb that agrees with the singular subject "The chairman" and correctly describes the ongoing action.
Corrected Sentence
The corrected sentence is:
"The chairman with the other members of the board is touring Europe these days."
Revision Table: Subject-Verb Agreement
| Subject Type | Verb Agreement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Subject + phrase with "with", "along with", "as well as" etc. + other nouns/pronouns | Verb agrees with the singular subject BEFORE the phrase. | The student along with his friends is studying. The teachers as well as the principal are attending the meeting. |
| Singular Subject | Singular Verb | The cat is sleeping. |
| Plural Subject | Plural Verb | The cats are sleeping. |
Additional Information on Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Understanding subject-verb agreement is crucial for correct sentence construction. Here are some key points:
- The verb must agree in number with the subject, not necessarily the noun closest to the verb.
- Phrases introduced by "with", "along with", "together with", "as well as", "in addition to", "except", "rather than", etc., are parenthetical and do not affect the number of the subject.
- Subjects joined by "and" typically take a plural verb (e.g., John and Mary are here). However, if they represent a single entity or idea, they take a singular verb (e.g., Bread and butter is a common breakfast).
- Subjects joined by "or" or "nor" agree with the noun or pronoun closest to the verb (e.g., Neither the students nor the teacher is ready; Neither the teacher nor the students are ready).
- Indefinite pronouns like "each", "every", "either", "neither", "one", "no one", "nobody", "everyone", "everybody", "someone", "somebody" are usually singular and take a singular verb.
- Indefinite pronouns like "all", "any", "none", "some" can be singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to.
Similar Questions
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
Go north-east across the mountains till you will reach an island.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
It is hard these days to cope with the rising prices.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
He took a loan of hundred rupees from me.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
From the last five days, it has been raining torrentially.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The Prime Minister had wide-ranging discussions on the international situation.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The teacher, along with her three children, were taken to hospital.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The man disappeared after he was rescuing a boy from drowning.Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
By 8.00 in the morning he wrote four letters to his friends.
Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold/underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
I shall be obliged if youcould grantme an interview.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
Your services are dispensed for.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
The questions are so simple that a child can understand it .
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
Even children shrink away from food thinking that they should become overweight.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No substitution required.
The weather reports is prepared by the Meteorological Department of the Government.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
He decided to leave very quickly the hotel.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution required’.
I have been worked hard to finish this project.
