Professional Communication Interview Questions and Answers for Experienced people focuses on “Verb and its Agreement with Subject”.
1. If the subject is of singular number, third person; in what number and person will the verb be?
a) Singular number, first person
b) Singular number, third person
c) Plural number, first person
d) Plural number, third person
Answer: b
Clarification: The verb takes the same number as its subject. It must agree with its subject in number and person. If the subject is of singular number, third person, the verb must also be of the singular number, third person.
2. If two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing, the verb must be singular.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. If two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing, the verb must be singular. Example: My friend, philosopher and guide is here. If different persons are referred,; My friend, the philosopher and the guide are here.
3. Choose the correct statement:
a) The quality of books were poor.
b) The quality of books was poor.
c) The quality of books are poor.
d) The quality of books were being poor.
Answer: b
Clarification: The correct statement is: The quality of books was poor. The subject is ‘the quality of books’ and not ‘books’. The phrase ‘quality of books’ is in singular form, so it should not take a plural verb.
4. If singular subjects are preceded by every and each, the verb is plural.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: The statement is false. If singular subjects are preceded by every and each, the verb is singular. For example: Every child and parent brings his own food.
5. Fill in the blank: Neither he nor I ____ present.
a) were
b) was
c) are
d) am
Answer: b
Clarification: The statement is: Neither he nor I was present. Two or more singular subjects connected by or, nor, either, neither take the verbs in singular.
6. Correct the statement:
Your best bet are free tickets.
a) Your best bet is free tickets.
b) Your best bet were free tickets.
c) Your best bet am free tickets.
d) Your best bet seems free tickets.
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct statement is: Your best bet is free tickets. The subject is, ‘your best bet, not ‘free tickets’. Hence it should take a singular verb.
7. Choose the correct statement:
a) The fire caused many damages.
b) The fire caused much damage.
c) The fire caused many damage.
d) The fire caused much damages.
Answer: b
Clarification: The correct statement is: The fire caused much damage. In this scenario, the word ‘damages’ can’t be used as it denoted the money paid to make good or loss for a ‘damage’. The word ‘damage’ is used in this situation, and it isn’t a word that can be preceded by ‘many’, as it isn’t a countable quantity which can be represented by a definite number. So, it should be preceded by ‘much’.
8. Fill in the blank: The ship ___ set sail.
a) has
b) is
c) was
d) have
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is: The ship has set sail. A collective noun takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as a whole and a plural verb when the individuals of which it is composed of are thought of.
9. Correct the statement:
Bread and butter are my favourite breakfast.
a) Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
b) Bread and butters are my favourite breakfast.
c) Breads and butters are my favourite breakfast.
d) Breads and butter are my favourite breakfast.
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct statement is: Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast. Bread and butter are two different nouns, but they come together to form a single entity, that is, a single breakfast dish. So, the phrase ‘bread and butter’ should have a singular verb like is/was attached to it.
10. Fill in the blank: None of the students ___ happy with the teacher.
a) were
b) was
c) have
d) has
Answer: b
Clarification: The correct statement is: None of the students was happy with the teacher. None usually means no one and so takes a singular verb.