Grammar
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.
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.
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.
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.
B. Complete the sentences by choosing the correct verbs from the brackets.
a. Everyone has (has/have)
problems in their life. Countries also have (has/have)
problems, and so does (do/does) the world. One of the
greatest problems is (is/are) the growing population.
The population in some countries is (is/are) huge.
b. A number of my friends love (love/loves)
riding bicycles, but neither my brother nor my sister owns (own/owns)
a cycle. At 4 o’clock, either my mother or father is (is/are)
coming to pick me up in a car.
c. The pair of shoes on the floor is (is/are)
mine. The shoes were (was/ were) made in China. The
three thousand rupees I spent on them was (was/were)
worth it.
C. Are the following sentences correct? If not, correct them.
a. Everyone of the workers receive the same benefits.
Everyone of the workers receives the same benefits.
b. There is two gerbils in my bathroom.
There are two gerbils in my bathroom.
c. Both of my friends live in Kathmandu.
Both of my friends live in Kathmandu.
d. Scissors is used to have our hair cut.
Scissors are used to have our hair cut.
e. You and your friends are welcome to join us.
You and your friends are welcome to join us.
f. Are the news on at five or six?
Is the news on at five or six?
g. The man with all his children live in the city.
The man with all his children lives in the city.
h. Mathematics are Prem's favourite subject, while Economics is Alina's
favourite subject.
Mathematics is Prem's favourite subject,
while Economics is Alina's favourite subject.
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