UP Board Solutions Class 12 English Translation Chapter 6 Agreement of Subject and Verb

Exercise 1

Question 1. My brother as well as friends was invited to the feast.
Answer: My brother as well as friends was invited to the feast.
In simple words: When two subjects are joined by "as well as", the verb agrees with the first subject. Since "My brother" is singular, we use the singular verb "was".

🎯 Exam Tip: Always look at the first subject when sentences use "as well as" to decide if the verb should be singular or plural.

Question 2. None of the news is good.
Answer: None of the news is good.
In simple words: The word "news" always looks plural because of the 's', but it is actually singular, so we use "is".

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that nouns like news, mathematics, and physics are singular in meaning and always take a singular verb.

Question 3. Every boy and girl was eager to sing.
Answer: Every boy and girl was eager to sing.
In simple words: When nouns are preceded by "each" or "every", they always take a singular verb like "was".

🎯 Exam Tip: Even if there are multiple nouns joined by "and", using "every" or "each" before them makes the subject singular.

Question 4. Pity as well as justice make a man great.
Answer: Pity as well as justice make a man great.
In simple words: The sentence connects "pity" and "justice" using "as well as", keeping the focus on the qualities that make a person great.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be careful with subject-verb agreement rules in exams, as singular subjects joined by "as well as" typically require a singular verb.

Question 5. You as well as I have performed our duty.
Answer: You as well as I have performed our duty.
In simple words: When subjects are joined by "as well as", the verb agrees with the first subject "You", which takes the plural verb "have".

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the first subject in "as well as" constructions to ensure correct verb agreement.

Question 6. The army was marching towards the enemy.
Answer: The army was marching towards the enemy.
In simple words: "Army" is a collective noun acting as a single group, so it takes the singular verb "was".

🎯 Exam Tip: Collective nouns take singular verbs when the group acts as a single unit.

Question 7. This is the shop which was highly damaged by fire.
Answer: This is the shop which was highly damaged by fire.
In simple words: The relative pronoun "which" refers to the singular noun "shop", so we use the singular verb "was".

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure the verb following a relative pronoun (who, which, that) agrees with the noun it refers back to.

Question 8. Everyone of you is suitable for this post.
Answer: Everyone of you is suitable for this post.
In simple words: "Everyone" is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular, so it takes the singular verb "is".

🎯 Exam Tip: Words like everyone, someone, and nobody are always singular and must be followed by singular verbs.

Question 9. Where are your spectacles?
Answer: Where are your spectacles?
In simple words: "Spectacles" (glasses) is a noun that is always plural, so it takes the plural verb "are".

🎯 Exam Tip: Nouns like spectacles, scissors, and trousers are always plural and require plural verbs unless preceded by "a pair of".

Question 10. Ten thousand rupees is a good salary.
Answer: Ten thousand rupees is a good salary. When a specific amount of money is thought of as a single collective sum, it takes a singular verb.
In simple words: Even though 'rupees' is plural, we treat 'ten thousand rupees' as one single amount of money. Therefore, we use the singular verb 'is' instead of 'are'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that collective amounts of money, periods of time, or distances always take a singular verb.

Question 11. Either he or his friends have deceived you.
Answer: Either he or his friends have deceived you. In sentences with 'either... or', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
In simple words: When we use 'either... or', we look at the subject closest to the verb. Since 'friends' is plural and closest to the verb, we use 'have' instead of 'has'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always check the subject nearest to the verb when using 'either... or' or 'neither... nor' to decide if the verb should be singular or plural.

Question 12. All the thieves with their chief have run away.
Answer: All the thieves with their chief have run away. Words joined to a singular or plural subject by 'with' or 'as well as' do not change the number of the true subject.
In simple words: The main subject here is 'all the thieves', which is plural. The extra phrase 'with their chief' does not change this, so we use the plural verb 'have'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ignore parenthetical expressions introduced by 'with', 'along with', or 'as well as' when determining the subject-verb agreement.

Question 13. The committee has elected its president.
Answer: The committee has elected its president. Collective nouns usually take a singular verb when the group acts as a single, unified body.
In simple words: The word 'committee' refers to a group of people acting together as one unit. Since they made a single decision together, we use the singular verb 'has'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look at whether the collective noun is acting as a single unit (singular verb) or as individuals (plural verb) to choose the correct form.

Question 14. Not only the doctor but also the compounder went on trying to save the patient.
Answer: Not only the doctor but also the compounder went on trying to save the patient. When subjects are joined by 'not only... but also', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
In simple words: The verb 'went' is past tense, which looks the same for singular and plural. However, the rule is that the verb agrees with the nearest subject, which is 'the compounder'.

🎯 Exam Tip: For 'not only... but also' structures, always identify the subject closest to the verb to ensure correct agreement in the present tense.

Question 15. Honey and ghee is a good medicine.
Answer: Honey and ghee is a good medicine. When two nouns express a single collective idea or refer to the same substance, they take a singular verb.
In simple words: Although 'honey' and 'ghee' are two different things, they are being combined here to form a single mixture or medicine. Because they represent one single concept, we use 'is'.

🎯 Exam Tip: When two singular nouns suggest a single compound idea (like 'bread and butter' or 'slow and steady'), always use a singular verb.