Singular and plural nouns

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate phrase. This grammar exercise tests your ability to use singular and plural nouns correctly.

1. This fabric is inferior …………………… that.

a) than
b) to
c) from
d) off

2. Do you prefer ………………. of meat pie?

a) this sort
b) these sort
c) these sorts
d) this sorts

3. The book …………………… on the table.

a) was lain
b) was laid
c) was lied
d) have lied

4. The garden shears ………………… used to clip the hedge.

a) was
b) were
c) has
d) have

5. Each of the boys ……………….. given a present.

a) was
b) were
c) has
d) have

Answers

1. This fabric is inferior to that. (After words like inferior, superior, junior and senior, we use ‘to’, not ‘than’.)

2. Do you prefer this sort of meat pie? (The words kind, sort, class, type etc. are all singular and should be used with this or that to modify a singular noun.

3. The book was laid on the table.

4. The garden shears were used to clip the hedge. (Nouns like shears, tongs, scissors etc., are always used in the plural.)

5. Each of the boys was given a present. (After words like each, every, either and neither, we use a singular verb.)