Ex.3 Use the correct form of the verb.

Agreement of the Predicate with the Subject

Ex.1 Read the sentences and comment on the agreement of the verb with the subject

I. The dog barks. 2. The dogs bark. 3. A list of many things has been drawn up. 4. Agreement is one of those points in grammar that always confuse me. 5. Three months of my work were wasted. 6. The longest of modern epics is Joyce's Ulysses. 7. Ulysses is one of the most interesting books that have ever been written. 8. The cause of the typhoon is known. 9. One of the cats has scratched the children. 10. Charles is one of those experienced accountants who never fail to spot an error. 11. Two ships of the Asiatic fleet are missing. 12. The theme of the novel is the experiences of a Hollywood writer.

Ex.2 Choose the right verb form

1. Nora and I (am, are) great friends. 2. (Was, were) there three patients due today? 3. Laughing and giggling (irritate, irritates) John's Granny. 4. Here, in the desk, of all places, (was, were) the thermometer and the screwdriver. 5. Candlelight and wine (add, adds) a touch of romance to the party. 6. A black and white dog (is, are) guarding the house. 7. A black and a white dog (is, are) sitting on the porch. 8. The Dean and Lexicology lecturer (was, were) in the lecture theatre. 9. The director and the manager (has, have) signed the contract. 10. The cheese and the butter (is, are) in the shopping bag. 11. Whisky and soda (is, are) his favourite drink. 12. For supper there (was, were) fish and different vegetables to it. 13. There (was, were) cakes and tea for breakfast. 14. Cleopatra, as well as her entire retinue, (was, were) eager to meet Caesar. 15. Cleopatra and her entire retinue (was, were) eager to meet Caesar. 16. New York, together with all the other states, (vote, votes) for President. 17. Ellen, as well as her friends, (dislike, dislikes) classical music. 18. The soldiers, along with their commander, (enter, enters) the bivouac area. 19. The bacon and the eggs (is, are) in the fridge. 20. My cousin with his workmate (is, are) visiting us today. 21. David and his wife (has, have) just come. 22. All of the cake (was, were) eaten. 23. All the candidates (promises, promise) to do their best. 24. Every plant and animal (has, have) its own ecological niche.

Ex.3 Use the correct form of the verb.

1. The class (has/have) its final test on Friday. 2. The class (is/are) working on their individual projects today. 3. The crew (was/were) asleep in their bunks. 4. The committee (is/are) ready to make the programme public. 5. The family (is/are) fighting among themselves constantly. 6. The fish in the aquarium (is/are) waiting for their daily feeding. 7. The press (was/were) requested to show their credentials to the guard. 8. The Portuguese (is/are) fortunate to have such a beautiful coastline. 9. The criteria for promotion (is/are) clearly stated. 10. Supernatural phenomena (is/are) of great interest to many people. 11. My family (live/lives) in a private house. 12. My family (is/are) early birds. 13. The police (think/thinks) it's the Mafia's doing. 14. What (is/are) the contents of the note? 15. There (was/were) many fish in this river some twenty years ago. 16. The police (was/ were) thorough in their examination of the murder site.