Question

Choose the correct present tense verb for the following sentence:
Time and tide ______ for no man. (wait)

• A. waits
• B. wait
• C. waited
• D. had waited

Answer 1

The correct option is A waits

The basic rule of Subject-Verb agreement is that a singular subject takes a singular verb while a plural subject takes a plural verb. The verb must always agree with the subject of a sentence.

In the given sentence, there are two singular nouns "time" and "tide". Usually, two or more singular nouns joined by "and" require a plural verb. But if the nouns suggest one idea to the mind, the verb is singular. Thus, Option A is correct. "Time and tide" suggest one idea - time. Thus, it requires the singular form of the verb "wait" which is "waits". As a result, option B is incorrect.

Options C and D are incorrect as the sentence is a universal proverb which is always in present tense, not past.