The verb must agree with its subject: one takes is / has / -s, many take are / have. The trick is to find the real subject — it is not always the word just before the verb.
Find the real subject — “one subject → singular verb; many → plural verb”
Each, every and one of … are singular: Each boy has, One of my friends is.
“The box of pencils” — the real subject is the box, so “is”. With either … or / neither … nor, follow the nearer subject.
After “there”, look at what follows: there is a cat, there are two cats, there is some milk. News, mathematics and physics are singular; scissors and trousers are plural.
Use it for: Avoiding the most common mistakes in essays, letters and competitive-exam English.
Worked example: Choose the right verb: Each boy ___ a locker. → has
“Each” means every single one, taken one at a time.
One boy takes a singular verb: Each boy has a locker.
Check: Say “One boy has a locker” — it fits, so “Each boy has” ✓
Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.
Right: 0 · Tried: 0
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20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.
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