SUBJECT –VERB AGREEMENT

In a sentence the subject should agree with the Verb in

Number or person. Such agreement is called Subject –Verb
Agreement .

EG : Ram is a good student -Person

S SV
The books are on the table – Number
S PV
 RULE - 1

In English , number difference only affects present tense

And past tense of ‘ be ’.

EG : I
We He
Play She Plays
You Were It Was
They
 RULE - 2

Two or more different singular subjects joined by and take

plural verb.
EG : The Doctor and the Engineer are coming for the
function. SN SN PV

But if the second noun is not preceded by the article “the”

and if they refer to same individual singular verb is used.

The teacher and student is coming for the function

SN SN SV
 RULE - 3

If the mind suggests one idea or refers to the same

person or thing , the verb is Singular.

EG :
Bread and Butter is my favourite food.
N N SV
Slow and steady wins the race.
 RULE - 4

The pattern one of is always followed by a plural noun. The verb

agrees with one not with the plural noun.
One of the teachers has a good sense of humour.
PN SV
One of the books is missing
PN SV
But if the same phrase occurs in the middle of the sentence and
if it is followed by the relative pronoun Who, That, Which the
verb is plural.
He is one of the players ,who have won a number of medals.
phrase PV RP
 RULE - 5

When words are added to a singular subject by with ,

together with , along with ,in addition to, as well as,
besides the verb is singular.
The file, with all the papers is missing
SS SV
But if comma is omitted the plural verb is used.
The dog along with its master are going for a walk
SS PV
 RULE - 6

Singular subjects separated by or , nor , neither …nor ,

Either …or , take the Singular verb.

EG : Neither the teacher nor the student is to be blamed.

SS SS SV
But if one of the subjects joined by these connectives is plural
The verb must be plural and the verb must be placed near the
plural subject.

Neither the inspector nor the officers were able to help us.
S P PV
When the same connectives are of different persons ,the
verb agrees with the nearer.

EG: Either he or I am mistaken.

Either you or he is mistaken.

Neither my friend nor I am sorry for what has happened.

 RULE - 7

Meaning determines the number of collective Nouns.

When the collective nouns act as individuals the verb is
plural.

EG: The team are discussing next years schedule.

IP PV

The staff vote on every issue.

IP PV
When the collective noun acts as a single unit the verb is
singular.

EG: The team wins every game it plays.

SU SV
The audience was cheering the band.
SU SV
 RULE - 8

When plural nouns denote distance , weight , height , or

amount of money as a single unit , it takes a singular
verb.

EG : Four weeks is a long holiday

PN SV
Hundred rupees is a lot of money.
PN SV
 RULE - 9

Phrases like a lot of , many a , great deal of , some of , most

of , plenty of , one third of are singular when they refer to
quantity and are plural when they refer to number.

EG : A lot of money is needed. - Quantity

SV
One third of books have been purchased. - Number
PV
 RULE - 10

Two nouns qualified by each , every , or even though ,

connected by and take the singular verb.
EG :
Each day and each hour is important.
N N SV
Every boy and every girl was given a pack of sweets.
N N SV
Each of the books is worth reading.
PN SV
 RULE - 11

Words plural in form and singular in meaning , take the

singular verb.

EG : The news is true.

PF SV

Linguistics is the study of language.

PF SV
 RULE - 12

Words singular in form and plural in meaning , take the

plural verb.
EG :
The people are waiting for the president.
SF PV
The police were forced to act.
SF PV
 RULE - 13

When the word number is preceded by the article the , it

takes singular verb and when by a it takes the plural verb.

EG: The number of crimes in Delhi is increasing.

SV
A number of meetings were held to discuss the issue.
PV
 RULE - 14

It always takes a singular verb , irrespective of whether

the subject is singular or plural.

EG: It is the people who mater in a democracy.

SV
It is the fundamental rules that matters.
SV
 RULE - 15

In sentences beginning with there , the verb is

determined by the subjects which come after the verb.

EG: There are various methods of collecting data.

PV
There is no need for typing this report.
SV
 RULE - 16

A pair of when applied to things take the singular verb.

EG: A pair of trousers is hanging on the peg.

SV
A pair of scissors is kept in the drawer.
SV
 RULE - 17

Particular nouns & class nouns used as singular take the

singular verb.

EG: The scenery of Kashmir attracts the tourists.

PN SV
The furniture of my drawing room is old fashioned.
PN SV
No information has been received so far.
PN SV
 RULE - 18

Words joined to a singular subject by with , as well as ,

take the singular verb.

EG: The ship with its crew was lost.

SV
English as well as physics is taught here.
SV
 RULE - 19

Either , neither , each , everyone , many a - should be

followed by singular verb.

EG: Everyone of the students is attending the function.

SV
Neither of them has helped in solving the problem.
SV
 RULE - 20

Many a and more than one followed by a singular noun take a

singular verb.
Many a book is interesting
SN SV
More than one candidate was absent in the meeting
SN SV
But many and more used alone referring to number take the
plural verb.
Many students were present in the function
PN PV
More volunteers are needed
 RULE - 21

Titles or names of books , quotations , take the singular verb

only.

‘The discovery channel’ gives vast information.

T SV
‘Tales from sherlock’ holems makes reading interesting.
T SV
 RULE - 22

Certain Adjectives used with the article ‘the’ referring to a group

of people in a particular condition take the Plural verb.
The brave die once
A ADJ PV
The youth of today are the pillars of tomorrow.

The nationality words referring to the people of a particular

nation take the plural verb.

The Japanese are hardworking

NW PV
MUG UP ALL THE RULES TO

ANSWER

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT