Basic Rules
1.
Singular
subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
o
She
runs fast.
/ They run fast.
2.
When
two subjects are joined by ‘and’, use a plural verb.
o
Rahul
and Sajan are friends.
3.
If
two subjects joined by ‘and’ refer to a single entity, use a singular verb.
o
Bread
and butter is my breakfast.
Compound Subjects
4.
Subjects
joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either...or’, ‘neither...nor’ use a verb that agrees
with the nearer subject.
o
Either
the students or the teacher is responsible.
o
Neither
Rahul nor his friends are coming.
5.
When
"not only...but also" joins subjects, the verb agrees with the
nearest subject.
o
Not
only the twins but also their father is attending.
o
Not
only the teacher but also the students are excited.
Indefinite Pronouns
6.
Indefinite
pronouns that are singular take singular verbs: each, everyone, anyone, nobody,
somebody, etc.
o
Everyone
wants success.
o
Each
of the boys has a pen.
7.
Some
indefinite pronouns are always plural: few, many, several, both.
o
Few
have completed the assignment.
8.
Some
pronouns can be singular or plural depending on context: all, any, some, none, most.
o
All
of the cake is gone.
(singular)
o
All
of the players are here. (plural)
Special Nouns and Collective Nouns
9.
Collective
nouns can be singular or plural based on meaning.
o
The
team is winning the match. (acting as one unit)
o
The
team are arguing among themselves. (acting individually)
10. Plural nouns that refer to singular
subjects take singular verbs: mathematics, news, physics, economics.
- Mathematics is
tough.
- The news is
shocking.
11. Nouns that look plural but are
singular take singular verbs: politics, statistics (when referring to
the subject), measles, mumps.
- Politics is
a tricky subject.
Quantities and Measurements
12. Expressions of time, money, distance,
or weight take singular verbs when seen as a whole.
- Five years is
a long time.
- Ten thousand
rupees is a big amount.
13. Fractions or percentages agree with
the noun that follows.
- Half of the
cake is gone.
- Thirty
percent of the students are absent.
Special Cases
14. When a phrase comes between the
subject and verb, the verb still agrees with the subject.
- The bouquet
of roses is beautiful.
15. When using ‘there is’ or ‘there are’,
the verb agrees with the subject that follows.
- There is
a problem.
- There are
many options.
16. Titles of books, movies, or works are
treated as singular.
- "Facing
Death" is a touching play.
17. When the subject is a sum or total,
use a singular verb.
- Ten plus
five is fifteen.
Advanced Rules
18. ‘A number of’ takes a plural verb,
while ‘The number of’ takes a singular verb.
- A number of
students are present.
- The number
of students is increasing.
19. Sentences starting with ‘what’, ‘who’,
or ‘which’ use verbs that agree with the subject in the clause.
- What is
needed is patience.
- Who are
your friends?
20. Gerunds (verbs ending in -ing used as
subjects) take singular verbs.
- Swimming is
my favorite hobby.
- Running is
good for health.
Fill in the blanks with the correct verb:
1.
Each
of the students ___ (was/were) given a certificate.
2.
The
team ___ (is/are) practicing for the final match.
3.
Neither
Rahul nor his friends ___ (has/have) completed the project.
4.
Bread
and butter ___ (is/are) my favorite breakfast.
5.
There
___ (is/are) several options available.
6.
Either
Sajan or his brothers ___ (is/are) responsible.
7.
The
news ___ (is/are) spreading fast.
8.
Ten
thousand rupees ___ (is/are) enough for the trip.
9.
A
number of students ___ (was/were) late to class.
10. The bouquet of roses ___
(smells/smell) amazing.
11. The number of participants ___
(is/are) increasing daily.
12. Neither the teacher nor the students
___ (knows/know) the answer.
13. Politics ___ (is/are) a controversial
subject.
14. Each of the twins ___ (has/have) her
own room.
15. Five years ___ (is/are) a long time to
wait.
16. Mathematics ___ (is/are) a difficult
subject for many.
17. Some of the water ___ (was/were)
spilled on the floor.
18. Few students ___ (was/were) absent
today.
19. Here ___ (comes/come) the winners of
the contest.
20. The pair of shoes ___ (is/are) under
the bed.
21. One of my friends ___ (is/are) moving
to Ireland.
22. Not only the manager but also the
employees ___ (was/were) surprised.
23. All of the cake ___ (is/are) gone.
24. There ___ (is/are) a pen and two books
on the table.
25. Running long distances ___ (is/are)
tiring.
-
Each of the students was given a certificate.
-
The team is practicing for the final match.
-
Neither Rahul nor his friends have completed the project.
-
Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.
-
There are several options available.
-
Either Sajan or his brothers are responsible.
-
The news is spreading fast.
-
Ten thousand rupees is enough for the trip.
-
A number of students were late to class.
-
The bouquet of roses smells amazing.
-
The number of participants is increasing daily.
-
Neither the teacher nor the students know the answer.
-
Politics is a controversial subject.
-
Each of the twins has her own room.
-
Five years is a long time to wait.
-
Mathematics is a difficult subject for many.
-
Some of the water was spilled on the floor.
-
Few students were absent today.
-
Here come the winners of the contest.
-
The pair of shoes is under the bed.
-
One of my friends is moving to Ireland.
-
Not only the manager but also the employees were surprised.
-
All of the cake is gone.
-
There is a pen and two books on the table.
-
Running long distances is tiring.
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