Let's complete each of the sentences appropriately while adhering to the subject-verb agreement rules:
(iv) The audience is clapping.
- The subject "The audience" is considered singular when behaving as a single entity, thus it requires a singular verb "is clapping."
(v) Neither the musicians nor the audience is enjoying the show.
- When subjects are joined by "neither...nor," the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. In this case, "the audience" is the closest subject and is considered singular, so the correct verb is "is enjoying the show."
(vi) Smoking cigarettes is harmful to health.
- The gerund phrase "smoking cigarettes" is a singular subject, so it requires the singular verb "is harmful to health."
(vii) The majority of criminals are imprisoned.
- The phrase "The majority of criminals" implies a plural interpretation, so it matches with the plural verb "are imprisoned."
(viii) A number of people are supporting the cause.
- The phrase "A number of people" is interpreted as plural, so the correct verb is "are supporting the cause."
(ix) There are many people at the event.
- The phrase "many people" is inherently plural, so the correct verb is "are."
(x) What she said is true.
- The subject "What she said" is a singular noun clause, so it takes the singular verb "is true."
(xi) Every object has weight.
- The phrase "Every object" is singular, thus it takes the singular verb "has weight."
(xii) Much money is required.
- The phrase "Much money" is singular, so it requires the singular verb "is required."
(xiii) Not much has changed.
- The phrase "Not much" is singular, so it takes the singular verb "has changed."
(xiv) Few people attended the meeting.
- The phrase "Few people" is plural, so it matches with the plural verb "attended the meeting."
(xv) Each hand is unique.
- The phrase "Each hand" is singular, so it requires the singular verb "is unique."
(xvi) Most children enjoy playing.
- The phrase "Most children" is plural, so it takes the plural verb "enjoy playing."
(xvii) None of my children is sick.
- The phrase "None of my children" in formal usage can take a singular or plural verb; however, in this context, it takes the singular verb "is sick."
By ensuring that the verb matches the subject's number (singular or plural), we complete the sentences appropriately and according to the rules of subject-verb agreement.
