Choose the correct word to complete the following sentence:
This year, my school trousers ______ too short for me, so Ma is taking me to the tailor.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → are
Subject-verb agreement with words like “trousers”:
- Words for things made of two equal parts, like “trousers”, “shorts” and “scissors”, always take a plural verb.
- The subject is “my school trousers”. “This year” and “is taking” show the present. So the verb is are.
- Complete sentence: This year, my school trousers are too short for me, so Ma is taking me to the tailor.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: is — Incorrect. “Is” is singular, but “trousers” always takes a plural verb. Example: My school shirt is too tight.
Option 2: were — Incorrect. “Were” is plural, but it shows the past. The sentence is about now (“this year”). Example: These trousers were too long for me last year.
Option 3: was — Incorrect. “Was” is singular, but the subject is plural. Example: My old belt was too loose.