Direction: Fill in the blank with the correct option. The dogs ______ eating all their food. ?

Appeared in: PGIMER Chandigarh NO - 2015

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is 'The dogs,' which is a plural noun.
The main verb is 'eating,' a present participle, indicating an ongoing action (present continuous tense).
For a plural subject in the present continuous tense, the correct auxiliary verb is 'are'.
The combination 'are eating' correctly forms the present continuous tense that agrees with the plural subject.

Option A: 'is' is a singular verb and does not agree with the plural subject 'dogs'.
Option B: 'have' is used to form perfect tenses (e.g., present perfect 'have eaten') and requires a different verb form, not the present participle alone.
Option C: 'should' is a modal verb that must be followed by the base form of the verb (eat), not the present participle (eating).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Subject-Verb Agreement in the Present Continuous Tense as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Correct grammar is essential for clear and professional communication in all fields, including nursing documentation and patient interaction.
Understanding subject-verb agreement prevents misunderstandings in written and spoken instructions, ensuring patient safety and effective teamwork.
What if the subject was 'The pack of dogs'? The verb would be 'is' ('The pack is eating') because 'pack' is a singular collective noun, showing how the specific subject, not just the word 'dogs', determines the verb.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the subject of the sentence. In this case, it is 'The dogs'.
Determine if the subject is singular or plural. 'Dogs' is plural.
Next, look at the main verb. Here, it is 'eating,' which is a present participle (-ing form), indicating a continuous action.
Recall the rule for forming the present continuous tense: Subject + (am/is/are) + Verb-ing.
Select the form of 'to be' that agrees with the plural subject 'dogs'. The correct choice is 'are'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full PGIMER Chandigarh NO - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.