Subject verb agreement

 

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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.