Professional Communication Multiple Choice Questions on “Use of Verbs”.
1. In the following sentence, which word is in accusative case?
This is the person whom you are looking for.
a) person
b) whom
c) you
d) looking
Answer: b
Clarification: This is the person whom you are looking for. Here, in this sentence whom is third person singular and in accusative case.
2. Which of these is used in the following phrase?
“This machine.”
a) Demonstrative adjectives
b) Descriptive adjectives
c) Possessive adjectives
d) Indefinite adjectives
Answer: a
Clarification: In the phrase, “ This machine “, demonstrative adjective “this” is used which agrees in number with the noun it qualifies.
3. Verbs are in agreement with their subject only in number.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: The statement is false. Verbs are in agreement with their subjects in number and person. For example, He and I are friends.
4. Verb takes a plural form in case of double subject.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. Verb takes a plural form in case of double or multiple subject. For example : He and I are inspectors.
5. Fill in the blank.
His aim and object ___ to pass the C.A. examination.
a) are
b) were
c) is
d) am
Answer: c
Clarification: The correct statement is: His aim and object is to pass the C.A. examination. Here, the double subject express the same plan, hence the verb is singular.
6. Fill in the blank.
Neither Ramesh nor his brother ___ present in the office.
a) are
b) was
c) were
d) there
Answer: b
Clarification: The correct statement is: Neither Ramesh nor his brother was present in the office. Here, the subject consists of two singular words, hence, the verb takes singular form.
7. In case of double subject, when does verb takes plural form?
a) When both subjects represent same plan.
b) When both subjects are singular.
c) When one of the subjects is plural.
d) When the subject has multiple nouns.
Answer: c
Clarification: When one of the subjects is plural, the verb takes up plural form. For example: Neither Ram nor his brothers were present in the office.
8. Fill in the blank.
Neither Sona nor I ________ present in the office.
a) is
b) are
c) were
d) am
Answer: d
Clarification: The correct statement is: Neither Sona nor I am present in the office. If the subject consists of double or multiple nouns or pronouns separated by neither-nor, either-or then the verb agrees in person with the nearer noun or pronoun.
9. A team of detectives ______ coming to inspect the crime scene.
a) are
b) were
c) is
d) may
Answer: c
Clarification: The correct statement is A team of detectives is coming to inspect the crime scene. Here, the collective noun team is considered as a single unit, so the verb is singular.
10. Fill in the blank.
The council _________ not unanimous on certain economic issues.
a) is
b) was
c) am
d) were
Answer: d
Clarification: The correct statement is: The council were not unanimous on certain economic issues. Here, the collective nouns are considered as multiple units.