Question

every boy in the class (was/were) willing to go for picnic​

Answer 1

Answer:

every boy in the class was willing to go for picnic is the right one

Answer 2

Every boy in the class was willing to go for picnic​.

The correct word is 'was'.

* Singular subjects should be followed by singular verbs whereas plural subjects should be followed by plural verbs.

* The word 'every' refers to all the boys in the class but individually and therefore it is singular.

Therefore, the verb chosen should be singular ( was).

* So, the word 'every' is used with a singular noun followed by a singular verb.

* On the other hand, 'all' is followed by a plural noun and a plural verb.