TEAS Reading & 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.
(From Basic to Advanced)
BASIC LEVEL (1–20)
Foundation
Rules
1. Singular
Subject = Singular Verb
A singular subject takes a singular verb.
Structure:
Singular Subject + Singular Verb
Examples:
- She writes
every day.
- Ram plays football.
- The
dog barks loudly.
⚠️ In present tense, singular verbs
usually take -s / -es
2. Plural
Subject = Plural Verb
A plural subject takes a plural verb.
Structure:
Plural Subject + Plural Verb
Examples:
- They write every day.
- The boys
play football.
- Dogs bark
loudly.
3. Two
Subjects Joined by "AND" = Plural Verb
When two subjects are connected by and,
use a plural verb.
Examples:
- Rita
and Sam are friends.
- Ram and Hari study
together.
- Tea and coffee are
available.
4.
Two Singular Subjects Joined by OR / NOR = Singular Verb
If both subjects are singular, use
singular verb.
Examples:
- Either the teacher or the student is
responsible.
- Neither Ram nor Hari is
absent.
5.
Verb Agrees with Nearest Subject (OR / NOR Rule)
When singular and plural subjects
are joined by or / nor, the verb
agrees with the subject nearest to it.
Examples:
- Either the students or the teacher is
wrong.
- Either the teacher or the students are
wrong.
- Neither the boys nor the girl is
ready.
6.
Uncountable Nouns Take Singular Verb
Uncountable nouns cannot be
counted individually.
Examples:
- Information is
useful.
- Water is
essential.
- Furniture is
expensive.
7.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns may be singular
or plural depending on meaning.
As
one unit → Singular
- The team is
winning.
- The class is
silent.
As
individuals → Plural
- The team are
arguing.
- The family are
fighting.
8.
"Each", "Every", "Either", "Neither" =
Singular
These always take singular verbs.
Examples:
- Each student is
present.
- Every boy has
a pen.
- Neither answer is
correct.
9.
"One of" + Plural Noun = Singular Verb
The subject is one, not the plural noun.
Examples:
- One of the boys is
absent.
- One of the books was
missing.
10.
Titles of Books, Movies, Organizations = Singular
Even if plural in form.
Examples:
- The Avengers is
popular.
- The Lord of the Rings is
famous.
- The United Nations is
meeting.
11.
Subjects with Commas = Usually Plural
Multiple subjects separated by
commas take plural verb.
Examples:
- Ram, Hari, and Sita are
here.
- Books, pens, and notebooks are
missing.
12.
Time = Singular
Time as one unit takes singular
verb.
Examples:
- Ten years is
a long time.
- Two hours is
enough.
13.
Money = Singular
Amount of money is treated as one
unit.
Examples:
- Ten dollars is
enough.
- Rs. 500 is
sufficient.
14.
Distance = Singular
Examples:
- Five kilometers is
far.
- Ten miles is
too much.
15.
Gerund as Subject = Singular
Verb + ing used as subject takes
singular verb.
Examples:
- Swimming is
fun.
- Reading improves
knowledge.
16.
Infinitive as Subject = Singular
Examples:
- To read is
important.
- To travel broadens
the mind.
17.
Words Ending in -s but Singular in Meaning
These look plural but are
singular.
Examples:
- Mathematics is
difficult.
- Physics is
interesting.
- News is
shocking.
18.
Diseases = Singular
Examples:
- Diabetes is
dangerous.
- Measles is
contagious.
19.
Plural Tools = Plural Verb
Examples:
- Scissors are
sharp.
- Tongs are
hot.
20.
There is / There are
Verb agrees with real subject.
Examples:
- There is
a book.
- There are
many books.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL (21–50)
21.
"As well as", "Along with", "Together with"
Verb agrees with first subject.
Examples:
- The teacher, along with the students, is excited.
- Ram, as well as Hari, is
absent.
22.
Ignore Modifying Phrase
Ignore phrases between subject and
verb.
Examples:
- The boy with the dogs is
friendly.
- The list of items is
long.
23.
"Not only... but also"
Verb agrees with second subject.
Examples:
- Not only the teacher but also the students are excited.
- Not only the students but also the teacher is ready.
24.
"Both...and" = Plural
Examples:
- Both Ram and Hari are
present.
- Both cats and dogs need
care.
25.
"A Number of" = Plural
Examples:
- A number of students are
absent.
- A number of people have
arrived.
26.
"The Number of" = Singular
Examples:
- The number of students is
increasing.
- The number of cases has
fallen.
27.
"More than One" = Singular
Examples:
- More than one student is
absent.
- More than one book was
lost.
28.
"Many a" = Singular
Examples:
- Many a student has
failed.
- Many a man was
injured.
29.
"None"
Can be singular or plural.
Singular:
- None of the money is
missing.
Plural:
- None of the students are
absent.
30.
"Some / All / Most"
Depends on noun after
"of"
Examples:
- Some of the water is
dirty.
- Some of the books are
lost.
- All of the milk is
spoiled.
- All of the students are
ready.
31.
Fractions
Verb depends on noun after
"of"
Examples:
- Half of the cake is
gone.
- Half of the cookies are
gone.
32.
Percentages
Examples:
- 50% of the water is
polluted.
- 50% of the students are
absent.
33.
Majority / Minority
Examples:
- The majority of voters are
happy.
- The majority of work is
complete.
34.
Proper Nouns Ending in S = Singular
Examples:
- The United States is
powerful.
- Nepal Airlines is
improving.
35.
Compound Subject = One Idea = Singular
Examples:
- Bread and butter is
my breakfast.
- Fish and chips is
delicious.
36.
One Person with Two Roles = Singular
Examples:
- My friend and mentor is
here.
- The owner and manager has
arrived.
37.
Two Different People = Plural
Examples:
- My friend and my mentor are
here.
38.
Inverted Sentences
Verb agrees with actual subject.
Examples:
- Here are
the books.
- On the table lies
the book.
39.
Relative Clause Agreement
Examples:
- She is one of the girls who dance
well.
- He is the only one who dances
well.
40.
Every / Each Before Two Nouns = Singular
Examples:
- Every boy and girl is
present.
- Each pen and pencil is
counted.
ADVANCED LEVEL (41–60)
41.
Economics / Politics / Statistics
Usually singular when referring to
subject.
Examples:
- Economics is
difficult.
- Statistics is
useful.
When referring to data → plural
- The statistics are
alarming.
42.
Data / Media
Can be singular or plural
depending on style.
Examples:
- The data is
accurate. (modern)
- The data are
accurate. (formal)
43.
Pair Nouns
Need plural verb unless preceded
by "a pair of"
Examples:
- The trousers are
dirty.
- A pair of trousers is
on the bed.
44.
Either of / Neither of = Singular
Examples:
- Either of the boys is
eligible.
- Neither of them is
ready.
45.
Each of / Every One of = Singular
Examples:
- Each
of the players is
tired.
- Every one of the books is
useful.
46.
Quantities as Single Unit
Examples:
- Five liters of water is
enough.
- Twenty kilograms is
heavy.
47.
Abstract Nouns = Singular
Examples:
- Honesty is
the best policy.
- Beauty lies
in simplicity.
48.
Subject After Prepositional Phrase Does Not Affect Verb
Examples:
- The box of chocolates is
delicious.
- The quality of the apples is
poor.
49.
Long Subject Still Singular
Examples:
- The rise in prices of vegetables is
worrying.
50.
Always Identify the Real Subject
Examples:
- The sound of bells is
soothing.
- The smell of flowers fills
the room.
MASTER RULE TO REMEMBER
Step
1:
Find the real
subject
Step
2:
Check if it is
- Singular
- Plural
- Uncountable
- Collective
Step
3:
Apply the correct rule
COMMON EXAM TRAPS
❌ The list of items are long.
✅ The list of items is
long.
❌ Neither of the boys are present.
✅ Neither of the boys is
present.
❌ More than one student are absent.
✅ More than one student is
absent.
❌ The teacher along with students are here.
✅ The teacher along with students is
here.
25 Practice Questions on Subject–Verb Agreement
(With
Answers and Reasons)
1.
Either the
principal or the teachers (be) responsible for the decision.
✅ Either the principal or the teachers are
responsible for the decision.
Reason:
The verb agrees with the nearest subject (teachers = plural).
2.
Neither the
students nor the monitor (know) the answer.
✅ Neither the students nor the monitor knows
the answer.
Reason:
Nearest subject is monitor (singular), so singular verb.
3.
Either the boys
or their father (drive) to school every day.
✅ Either the boys or their father drives to
school every day.
Reason:
Nearest subject is father (singular).
4.
Neither the
manager nor the workers (be) satisfied.
✅ Neither the manager nor the workers are
satisfied.
Reason:
Nearest subject is workers (plural).
5.
Either my brother
or my sisters (visit) us this weekend.
✅ Either my brother or my sisters visit us
this weekend.
Reason:
Nearest subject is sisters (plural).
6.
Neither the books
nor the notebook (belong) to me.
✅ Neither the books nor the notebook belongs
to me.
Reason:
Nearest subject is notebook (singular).
7.
Neither the
teacher nor the students (be) ready for the test.
✅ Neither the teacher nor the students are
ready for the test.
Reason:
Nearest subject is students (plural).
8.
Either the doctor
or the nurses (have) the report.
✅ Either the doctor or the nurses have the
report.
Reason:
Nearest subject is nurses (plural).
9.
Neither my
parents nor my uncle (live) here.
✅ Neither my parents nor my uncle lives
here.
Reason:
Nearest subject is uncle (singular).
10.
Either the
players or the coach (be) wrong.
✅ Either the players or the coach is wrong.
Reason:
Nearest subject is coach (singular).
11.
Neither the
secretary nor the assistants (know) about the meeting.
✅ Neither the secretary nor the assistants
know about the meeting.
Reason:
Nearest subject is assistants (plural).
12.
Either the cat or
the dogs (be) making noise.
✅ Either the cat or the dogs are making
noise.
Reason:
Nearest subject is dogs (plural).
13.
Neither the
chairman nor the members (agree) with the proposal.
✅ Neither the chairman nor the members agree
with the proposal.
Reason:
Nearest subject is members (plural).
14.
Either the girls
or Anita (bring) lunch.
✅ Either the girls or Anita brings lunch.
Reason:
Nearest subject is Anita (singular).
15.
Neither the buses
nor the taxi (arrive) on time.
✅ Neither the buses nor the taxi arrives on
time.
Reason:
Nearest subject is taxi (singular).
16.
Either the
teacher or the students (have) submitted the assignment.
✅ Either the teacher or the students have
submitted the assignment.
Reason:
Nearest subject is students (plural).
17.
Neither my
cousins nor my sister (want) to go.
✅ Neither my cousins nor my sister wants to
go.
Reason:
Nearest subject is sister (singular).
18.
Either the father
or the children (clean) the room.
✅ Either the father or the children clean
the room.
Reason:
Nearest subject is children (plural).
19.
Neither the
actors nor the director (be) available.
✅ Neither the actors nor the director is
available.
Reason:
Nearest subject is director (singular).
20.
Either the
teachers or the principal (conduct) the assembly.
✅ Either the teachers or the principal
conducts the assembly.
Reason:
Nearest subject is principal (singular).
21.
Neither the
newspaper nor the magazines (contain) the news.
✅ Neither the newspaper nor the magazines
contain the news.
Reason:
Nearest subject is magazines (plural).
22.
Either the books
or the pen (be) missing.
✅ Either the books or the pen is missing.
Reason:
Nearest subject is pen (singular).
23.
Neither the boys
nor their mother (know) the truth.
✅ Neither the boys nor their mother knows
the truth.
Reason:
Nearest subject is mother (singular).
24.
Either the singer
or the dancers (perform) tonight.
✅ Either the singer or the dancers perform
tonight.
Reason:
Nearest subject is dancers (plural).
25.
Neither the
laptops nor the printer (work) properly.
✅ Neither the laptops nor the printer works
properly.
Reason:
Nearest subject is printer (singular), so singular verb.
Quick Trick to Solve
For Either…or
/ Neither…nor
👉 Always look at the subject nearest to the
verb
Singular
near verb → Singular verb
Plural near verb → Plural verb
Example:
- Either Ram
or his friends are coming.
- Either his
friends or Ram is coming.
Subject–Verb Agreement Practice Questions
1.
The price of
these vegetables (be) increasing every day.
✅ The price of these vegetables is
increasing every day.
Reason:
The main subject is price (singular), not vegetables.
2.
Neither the
doctor nor the nurses (be) available.
✅ Neither the doctor nor the nurses are
available.
Reason:
The verb agrees with the nearest subject (nurses = plural).
3.
A basket of
apples (be) kept on the table.
✅ A basket of apples is kept on the table.
Reason:
Main subject is basket (singular).
4.
Each of the
players (deserve) appreciation.
✅ Each of the players deserves appreciation.
Reason:
Each always takes a singular verb.
5.
Twenty kilometers
(be) too far to walk.
✅ Twenty kilometers is too far to walk.
Reason:
Distance as a single unit takes singular verb.
6.
Physics (be)
my favorite subject.
✅ Physics is my favorite subject.
Reason:
Academic subjects ending in -s are singular.
7.
Either the
teacher or the students (be) responsible.
✅ Either the teacher or the students are
responsible.
Reason:
Nearest subject = students (plural).
8.
The jury (be)
divided in their opinions.
✅ The jury are divided in their opinions.
Reason:
Collective noun acting as individuals → plural verb.
9.
Many books in the
library (need) repair.
✅ Many books in the library need repair.
Reason:
Subject books is plural.
10.
The information
you gave me (be) useful.
✅ The information you gave me is useful.
Reason:
Information is uncountable → singular verb.
11.
A number of
workers (have) resigned.
✅ A number of workers have resigned.
Reason:
“A number of” takes plural verb.
12.
The family (be)
going on vacation.
✅ The family is going on vacation.
Reason:
Family is acting as one unit.
13.
The statistics (show)
improvement.
✅ The statistics show improvement.
Reason:
Here statistics means numerical data → plural.
14.
One of the
students (have) submitted the report.
✅ One of the students has submitted the
report.
Reason:
Subject is one (singular).
15.
Neither of the
boys (know) the answer.
✅ Neither of the boys knows the answer.
Reason:
Neither takes singular verb.
16.
The police (be)
investigating the case.
✅ The police are investigating the case.
Reason:
Police is always plural.
17.
There (be)
a pen and two books on the desk.
✅ There is a pen and two books on the desk.
Reason:
Verb agrees with nearest subject pen (singular).
18.
Not only the
students but also the principal (be) present.
✅ Not only the students but also the
principal is present.
Reason:
Nearest subject = principal (singular).
19.
Bread and butter (be)
my breakfast.
✅ Bread and butter is my breakfast.
Reason:
It is one combined idea.
20.
The list of names
(be) complete.
✅ The list of names is complete.
Reason:
Main subject = list (singular).
21.
Neither my
brothers nor my father (drive) to work.
✅ Neither my brothers nor my father drives
to work.
Reason:
Nearest subject = father (singular).
22.
Every student and
teacher (be) invited.
✅ Every student and teacher is invited.
Reason:
When every comes before joined nouns → singular verb.
23.
The furniture in
this room (look) expensive.
✅ The furniture in this room looks
expensive.
Reason:
Furniture is uncountable → singular.
24.
More than one
applicant (have) applied.
✅ More than one applicant has applied.
Reason:
“More than one” takes singular verb.
25.
Half of the milk (be)
spoiled.
✅ Half of the milk is spoiled.
Reason:
Milk is uncountable → singular verb.
26.
Half of the
oranges (be) rotten.
✅ Half of the oranges are rotten.
Reason:
Oranges are countable plural.
27.
The number of
tourists (be) rising.
✅ The number of tourists is rising.
Reason:
“The number of” takes singular verb.
28.
Scissors (be)
useful for cutting paper.
✅ Scissors are useful for cutting paper.
Reason:
Plural tool noun → plural verb.
29.
None of the water
(be) clean.
✅ None of the water is clean.
Reason:
Water is uncountable → singular.
30.
Here (come)
the winners of the competition.
✅ Here come the winners of the competition.
Reason:
Actual subject = winners (plural).
Fast Revision Rules
Singular Verb
- Each
- Every
- Neither
- One of
- The number
of
- More than
one
- Uncountable
nouns
Plural Verb
- A number of
- Police
- Scissors
- Both…and
Nearest Subject Rule
Used with:
- Either…or
- Neither…nor
- Not only…but
also
Example:
- Either Ram
or his friends are coming.
- Either his
friends or Ram is coming.
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