Subject-Verb Agreement unit 4 grade 12

                         Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement means the verb must agree with its subject in number and person:

·         A singular subject takes a singular verb.

·         A plural subject takes a plural verb.

To learn about the process of making sentences, you have to learn the noun (subject) and verb relation in detail.

Singular nouns and plural noun

Singular noun (subject)	verbs
Ram Sita He She It A baby A child This That Man Woman Only one thing or subject	V5 (does), is, has, was

 

Plural noun  (subject)	verbs
Ram and Sita They We You The babies The children These Those Men Women Two or more than two	V1 (do), are, have, were

   Note: The subject "I" takes v1,do, am, have, & was as verbs.

 

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Subject-Verb Agreement Rules (Basic to Advanced)

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules (1–85)

(From Basic to Advance)

1.
Basic Rule: Singular subject takes singular verb; plural subject takes plural verb.
She writes every day. / They write every day.

2.
Two singular nouns joined by "and" = plural verb.
Rita and Sam are friends.

3.
Two singular nouns joined by "or" or "nor" = singular verb.
Either the teacher or the student is responsible.

4.
Singular + plural subject joined by "or" or "nor" – verb agrees with the nearest subject.
Either the students or the teacher is wrong.
Either the teacher or the students are wrong.

5.
Collective nouns take singular/plural verb depending on meaning.
The team is winning. / The team are arguing among themselves.

6.
Uncountable nouns always take singular verbs.
The information is useful.

7.
Subjects joined by "as well as", "along with", "together with" take verb of the first subject.
The manager, as well as the employees, is present.

8.
Titles of books/movies/organizations take singular verbs even if plural in form.
The United Nations is meeting today.

9.
Words like "each", "every", "either", "neither" take singular verbs.
Each of the students is present.

10.
With fractions and percentages, verb depends on noun after "of".
Half of the cake is gone. / Half of the cookies are gone.

11.
"None" can take singular or plural verb depending on meaning.
None of the money is missing. / None of the students are absent.

12.
"Some", "all", "most" take verb depending on object after "of".
Some of the water is contaminated. / Some of the books are missing.

13.
In sentences beginning with "here" or "there", subject comes after the verb.
There are many problems.

14.
Plural subjects + "with"/"as well as" = verb agrees with main subject.
The teacher, along with the students, is excited.

15.
Infinitive or gerund phrase as subject = singular verb.
To read is important. / Swimming helps you stay fit.

16.
Words like "mathematics", "news", "physics" = singular.
Mathematics is my favorite subject.

17.
With "not only... but also", verb agrees with the second subject.
Not only the teacher but also the students are excited.

18.
With "either...or", "neither...nor", verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Neither the students nor the teacher is here.

19.
Words ending in "s" but singular in meaning = singular verb.
The news is shocking.

20.
Subject modified by phrases like "together with" = verb agrees with main subject.
The president, together with his advisors, is attending the meeting.

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Intermediate Rules (21–60)

21.
Names of diseases = singular.
Diabetes is increasing globally.

22.
Indefinite pronouns = usually singular.
Everyone is invited.

23.
"And" joins subjects that refer to one person = singular verb.
My friend and mentor is here.

24.
Plural form nouns but singular in meaning = singular verb.
Economics is a tough subject.

25.
Titles or names of works = singular verb.
The Lord of the Rings is a classic.

26.
Expressions of time, money, or distance = singular verb.
Ten dollars is enough.

27.
"The number of" = singular verb.
The number of applicants is increasing.

28.
"A number of" = plural verb.
A number of students are absent.

29.
Inverted sentences – verb agrees with subject after it.
Here are the books you requested.

30.
Collective nouns used plurally = plural verb.
The jury are divided in their opinions.

31.
"None" = singular or plural verb based on context.
None of the cake is left. / None of the players are ready.

32.
Plural-looking nouns referring to one entity = singular.
The scissors is on the table. (Note: informally, "are" is more common.)

33.
"Both... and..." = plural verb.
Both my brother and sister are doctors.

34.
"More than one..." = singular verb.
More than one student is absent.

35.
Ignore modifying phrase after subject for verb agreement.
The boy with the dogs is friendly.

36.
Singular subject = singular verb
She plays well.

37.
Plural subject = plural verb
They play football.

38.
Two singular nouns with "and" = plural verb
Ram and Shyam are friends.

39.
Uncountable nouns = singular verb
Water is essential.

40.
Collective nouns = singular verb (when seen as a unit)
The team wins the match.

41.
Titles of books/movies = singular
"The Avengers" is popular.

42.
Indefinite pronouns = singular
Everyone likes music.

43.
Subjects separated by commas = use plural
Ramesh, Suresh, and Ganesh are here.

44.
"Either/or", "neither/nor" – verb agrees with nearer subject
Neither he nor his friends are coming.

45.
"Each", "every", etc. = singular
Each boy has a pen.

46.
Time, money, distance = singular
Five kilometers is a long walk.

47.
Nouns ending in -s (maths, physics) = singular
Mathematics is difficult.

48.
"One of" + plural = singular verb
One of the girls is absent.

49.
"The number of..." = singular
The number of students is increasing.

50.
"A number of..." = plural
A number of students are playing.

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Advanced Rules (61–85)

61.
Fractions + uncountable = singular
Half of the water is gone.

62.
Fractions + countable = plural
Half of the apples are rotten.

63.
"There is"/"There are" – verb agrees with subject
There are many books.

64.
Singular + “or”/“nor” = singular verb
Neither tea nor coffee is available.

65.
Plural nouns used for tools = plural
Scissors are sharp.

66.
"More than one" = singular
More than one student has passed.

67.
"Many a" = singular
Many a man has failed.

68.
Plural form but singular meaning = singular
Economics is interesting.

69.
"Each of"/"Every one of" = singular
Each of the players is tired.

70.
Plural numbers as unit = singular
Ten years is a long time.

71.
Gerund subject = singular
Swimming is fun.

72.
"The majority of" – verb follows noun
The majority of people are happy.

73.
"As well as", etc. – verb with first subject
The teacher, as well as students, was present.

74.
Verb agrees with subject, not object
The list of items is long.

75.
Compound subject = one item = singular
Bread and butter is my breakfast.

76.
Proper nouns ending in "s" = singular
The United States is large.

77.
Relative clauses – verb agrees with antecedent
She is one of the girls who dance well.

78.
"Each of them who…" = verb with "each" = singular
Each of them who studies will pass.

79.
"None of the + plural noun" = plural
None of the students are present.

80.
"None" with uncountable = singular
None of the milk is wasted.

81.
"One-third of", "some of" = verb agrees with object
One-third of the books are missing.

82.
Plural nouns as one idea = singular
Fish and chips is my lunch.

83.
"One of those who..." = plural verb
She is one of those girls who work hard.

84.
Inversion – verb follows true subject
On the table lies the book.

85.
Always identify the real subject for correct verb
The sound of bells is soothing.

 Grammar ( from book)

B. Rewrite the following sentences with the correct form of the verbs in the brackets.

a. The invitation is for one person. I don’t mind whether you or she (come) to the party.

The invitation is for one person. I don’t mind whether you or she comes to the party.

b. Neither the MPs nor the Prime Minister (have) felt regret for the party split.

Neither the MPs nor the Prime Minister has felt regret for the party split.

c. I don’t care whether he or she (win) the lottery.

I don’t care whether he or she wins the lottery.

d. Either the Kantipur or the Republica (be) used for the advertisement.

Either the Kantipur or the Republica is used for the advertisement.

e. She speaks in a strange accent. Neither I nor my sister (understand) her.

She speaks in a strange accent. Neither I nor my sister understands her.

f. I forgot whether the singers or the actress (be) given the Film Fair Award last year.

I forgot whether the singers or the actress was given the Film Fair Award last year.

g. Neither the tracksuit nor the pajamas (fit) me perfectly.

Neither the tracksuit nor the pajamas fit me perfectly.

h. Neither the gas fire nor the electric heaters (be) suitable for room heating.

Neither the gas fire nor the electric heaters are suitable for room heating.

Subject-Verb Agreement – Practice Questions

1.      The quality of the shoes (be) not up to the mark.

2.      Neither the teacher nor the students (have) arrived yet.

3.      A bouquet of red roses (make) the room look beautiful.

4.      Each of the candidates (was/were) given a number.

5.      Ten thousand rupees (is/are) too much for that old bike.

6.      Mathematics (is/are) an interesting subject.

7.      Either you or your friend (has/have) to submit the form.

8.      The committee (has/have) not yet decided the dates.

9.      Several books on English grammar (is/are) missing from the shelf.

10. The news on television (seem/seems) very disturbing.

11. A number of students (was/were) caught cheating in the exam.

12. The team (is/are) celebrating its victory.

13. The data (is/are) being analyzed carefully.

14. One of my classmates (is/are) from Pokhara.

15. Neither of the options (seem/seems) good.

16. The police (has/have) arrested the suspect.

17. There (is/are) many reasons for her success.

18. Not only my brother but also my parents (is/are) coming to visit.

19. Time and tide (wait/waits) for none.

20. The list of participants (is/are) on the notice board.

Subject-Verb Agreement – Answers with Reasons

1. The quality of the shoes is not up to the mark.
✅ Reason: The subject is "quality" (singular). "Of the shoes" is a prepositional phrase.

2. Neither the teacher nor the students have arrived yet.
✅ Reason: In "neither...nor", the verb agrees with the nearest subject "students" (plural).

3. A bouquet of red roses makes the room look beautiful.
✅ Reason: The subject is "bouquet" (singular), not "roses".

4. Each of the candidates was given a number.
✅ Reason: "Each" is always singular and takes a singular verb.

5. Ten thousand rupees is too much for that old bike.
✅ Reason: Amount of money is treated as a singular unit.

6. Mathematics is an interesting subject.
✅ Reason: Although ending in -s, "Mathematics" is a singular subject.

7. Either you or your friend has to submit the form.
✅ Reason: Verb agrees with the nearest subject "friend" (singular).

8. The committee has not yet decided the dates.
✅ Reason: Collective noun "committee" is treated as a single unit here (singular).

9. Several books on English grammar are missing from the shelf.
✅ Reason: "Several" is a plural subject → use plural verb.

10. The news on television seems very disturbing.
✅ Reason: "News" is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.

11. A number of students were caught cheating in the exam.
✅ Reason: "A number of" is a plural expression → takes plural verb.

12. The team is celebrating its victory.
✅ Reason: "Team" is treated as a single unit here (singular).

13. The data are being analyzed carefully.
✅ Reason: Technically, "data" is plural of "datum", so plural verb is used. (Note: In modern English, "data" is also often treated as singular.)

14. One of my classmates is from Pokhara.
✅ Reason: The subject is "One" (singular), not "classmates".

15. Neither of the options seems good.
✅ Reason: "Neither" is singular, so it takes a singular verb.

16. The police have arrested the suspect.
✅ Reason: "Police" is a plural collective noun → takes plural verb.

17. There are many reasons for her success.
✅ Reason: Subject is "reasons" (plural), so use plural verb "are".

18. Not only my brother but also my parents are coming to visit.
✅ Reason: Verb agrees with the second subject "parents" (plural).

19. Time and tide wait for none.
✅ Reason: "Time and tide" are two separate things → plural subject → plural verb.

20. The list of participants is on the notice board.
✅ Reason: Subject is "list" (singular), not "participants".