Question 1

In the following sentence, four parts are underlined. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error.

Either the manager or the employees (A) is responsible (B) for ensuring (C) that all deadlines are met. (D) No error (E)

Accepted Answer

When 'either...or' connects two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. Here, 'employees' (plural) is nearest, so the verb should be 'are', not 'is'.

Question 2

In the following sentence, four parts are underlined. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error.

"The team of engineers (A) have been working (B) on this project (C) since last month. (D)"

(A) The team of engineers
(B) have been working
(C) on this project
(D) since last month
(E) No error

Accepted Answer

The error is in part (B). The subject 'team' is a collective noun that takes a singular verb in Indian English. Although 'team of engineers' contains a plural noun, the head noun 'team' is singular and requires the singular verb 'has' instead of 'have'. The correct sentence should read: 'The team of engineers has been working on this project since last month.' Parts (A), (C), and (D) are grammatically correct.

Question 3

In the following sentence, four parts are underlined. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error.

The team of players (A) have decided (B) to participate in (C) the national championship next month. (D) No error (E)

Accepted Answer

The subject 'team' is singular (a collective noun), so it requires a singular verb 'has', not the plural verb 'have'. In British English, collective nouns like 'team', 'committee', 'group' take singular verbs when treated as a single unit.

Question 4

In the following sentence, four parts are underlined. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error.

Neither the principal nor the teachers (A) was aware (B) of the changes (C) that were announced yesterday. (D) No error (E)

Accepted Answer

'Neither...nor' requires the verb to agree with the nearest subject. 'Teachers' (plural) is nearest, so the verb should be 'were', not 'was'.

Question 5

In the following sentence, four parts are underlined. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error.

The number of applicants (A) have increased (B) significantly since (C) the new policy was introduced. (D) No error (E)

Accepted Answer

'The number of' is a singular construction and requires a singular verb 'has', not 'have'. Although 'applicants' is plural, the subject is 'number', which is singular.

Question 6

In the following sentence, four parts are underlined. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error.

The committee members (A) has agreed (B) to submit their (C) reports by Friday. (D) No error (E)

Accepted Answer

'Committee members' is a plural noun phrase (the head noun 'members' is plural), so it requires the plural verb 'have', not the singular 'has'.

Question 7

In the following sentence, four parts are underlined. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error.

"Neither the manager nor the employees (A) has / (B) been informed about the policy change, (C) and they are (D) confused about the new guidelines."

Choose the correct option:
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D
(e) No error

Accepted Answer

The error is in part (A). When a compound subject is joined by 'neither...nor', the verb must agree with the nearest subject. Here, 'employees' (plural) is nearest to the verb, so the correct form is 'have been informed', not 'has been informed'. The sentence should read: 'Neither the manager nor the employees have been informed about the policy change, and they are confused about the new guidelines.'

Question 8

The team of researchers (A) has conducted / (B) have conducted / (C) is conducting / (D) are conducting extensive studies on climate change over the past five years. No error

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is (A) 'has conducted'. The subject is 'team' (singular collective noun). Although 'team' contains multiple members, it is treated as a single unit in British English when the focus is on the collective action. The verb must be singular: 'has conducted'.

Question 9

Neither the manager nor the employees (A) wants / (B) want / (C) are wanting / (D) has wanted to attend the training session. No error

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is (B) 'want'. When two subjects are joined by 'neither...nor' or 'either...or', the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. Here, 'employees' (plural) is closest to the verb, so the plural form 'want' is correct.

Question 10

The committee members, along with the chairperson, (A) has decided / (B) have decided / (C) are deciding / (D) is deciding to postpone the meeting. No error

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is (B) 'have decided'. When a singular subject is followed by 'along with', 'together with', or 'in addition to', the verb agrees with the main subject (committee members—plural). The phrase 'along with the chairperson' is a parenthetical addition and does not change the number of the main subject.

Question 11

The committee, which comprises representatives from five different departments, (A) have decided to postpone the meeting (B) until next month because several members (C) was unable to attend due to prior commitments (D). No error

Accepted Answer

The error is in part (B). The subject 'committee' is singular, so the verb should be 'has decided', not 'have decided'. Although 'committee' contains multiple members, it functions as a single unit and requires a singular verb. Part (C) contains a secondary error ('was' should be 'were' to agree with plural 'members'), but the primary error tested here is in (B).

Question 12

The data from multiple sources, along with the research findings that (A) was compiled over three years, (B) suggests that climate patterns (C) have changed significantly, which (D) indicates urgent action is needed. No error

Accepted Answer

The error is in part (A). The subject of the relative clause is 'research findings' (plural), so the verb should be 'were compiled', not 'was compiled'. The main clause subject 'data' is singular and correctly takes 'suggests' in part (B).

Question 13

A series of unfortunate events, combined with poor management decisions, (A) have created a situation where neither the board nor the executive director (B) are willing to take responsibility, which (C) have resulted in widespread criticism from stakeholders (D). No error

Accepted Answer

The error is in part (A). The subject 'A series of unfortunate events' is singular (the head noun is 'series'), so the verb should be 'has created', not 'have created'. Part (C) also contains an error ('have resulted' should be 'has resulted' because 'which' refers to the singular 'situation'), but the primary error is in (A).

SBI Clerk Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Subject-Verb Agreement — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Subject-Verb Agreement