Every man, woman and child … asked to contribute.

Analyze the question The sentence is: "Every man, woman and child ____ asked to contribute." We need the verb that agrees with the subject.

Explain the concept When a subject begins with every or each, it is treated as singular, even if it lists several nouns joined by "and." The word "every" makes us think of each person individually, so the verb must be singular.

Examples:

• Every student has a textbook.
• Each boy and girl is present.

Solution

1. Subject: "Every man, woman and child". The word every makes it singular.
2. We need a singular verb in the passive form (asked to contribute), so we need was (past tense, singular).
3. Check the options: • A. were is plural, so it is wrong. • B. are is plural and present tense, so it is wrong. • C. was is singular and past tense, so it fits: "Every man, woman and child was asked to contribute." • D. have does not work, because "have asked" would need "been" and is also plural.

Answer: C. was

Exam tip When you see every, each, everyone, everybody, no one, or somebody, pick a singular verb, even if the subject has many nouns joined by "and."