Subject–verb agreement — Aptitude Question
Subject–verb agreement: Choose the correct sentence: Answer and worked solution on CodeKairo.
- Topic: Sentence Correction
- Section: Verbal Ability
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time target: 40 seconds
Question
Choose the correct sentence:
Options
- The list of items were on the desk.
- The list of items have been on the desk.
- The list of items are on the desk.
- The list of items is on the desk.
Show the answer and the worked solution
Correct answer: D. The list of items is on the desk.
Worked solution
- The subject is list (singular); of items is a prepositional phrase that does not change it.
- A singular subject takes is.
Answer: The list of items is on the desk.
The idea
Cross out every prepositional phrase between the subject and the verb, then check agreement on what remains. Nouns nearest the verb are deliberately placed to mislead.
Shortcut. Ask what is on the desk: one list. The three plural verbs (were, have been, are) fall together for the same reason, leaving the singular is.
Common trap. "The list of items are on the desk." makes the verb agree with items, the plural noun sitting next to it, instead of the true subject, list.