Subject – Verb Agreement

(Concord)

- Seema Bansal
TGT English
 What is Subject verb
agreement/concord ?

 It refers to the relationship between a subject

and a verb in a sentence.
 The verb in a sentence is changed as per the
subject.
 E.g. - Raghav, Neha, Shilpi and Priyanka have
formed a reading club. Amit, an architect and an
avid reader, is the founder of the club. Every
Saturday, all of them meet at his house. Each
member brings one book and circulates it among
others.
Basic rule of Subject-Verb agreement

 A singular subject takes a singular verb Whereas a

plural subject takes a plural verb.
 Example –
1. She bakes amazing cakes.
2. John plays the guitar.
3. They go for an evening walk.
4. Lara likes to sing.
5. There are two hurdles to jump.
Indefinite pronouns/words

 The indefinite pronouns/words like anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody, neither, either, each,
everyone, one of the, much, little, less are always singular and, therefore, require singular verbs.
 Examples -
• Everyone has done his or her homework.
• Somebody has left her purse.
• Only one of the four contestants wins.
• Much of the work is already done.
Amount/Quantity/Number

 Words that refer to amount/quantity - Singular verb

 Words that refer to number - Plural verb
 Examples:
1. A lot of energy was wasted.
2. A lot of books have been written.
Noun/Pronoun

 Two or more nouns or pronouns joined using 'And' - Plural verb is used.
 Examples:
1. Air and water are necessary for survival.
2. Ramesh and Naresh are best friends.
 When noun/pronoun refer to the same person/thing, singular verb is used.
 Examples:
1. Bread and butter makes a good breakfast.
2. Her friend and classmate is dead.
Noun/Pronoun

 When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the verb still agrees with the subject,
not the noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of the sentence.
 Examples. –
1. The teacher ,as well as her students, is sitting.
2. The students ,as well as their teacher, are sitting in the class.
3. The Principal, with the teachers, has made new policies.
Noun/Pronoun

 Two SUBJECTS joined by 'NOT ONLY-BUT ALSO', `EITHER-OR', 'NEITHER-NOR' - Verb agrees with
the second subject.
 Examples:
1. Either my friend or I am going to buy this book.
2. Not only your certificate, but your marks are also important.
Noun (Singular/Plural)

 Nouns plural in form, but singular in meaning take the verb in singular.
 Examples:
1. Physics is an interesting subject.
2. Politics has never interested me.
3. Billiards is an interesting game.
4. Measles is a dangerous disease.
5. This news is true.
6. Mathematics is not an easy subject.
CLASS/COLLECTIVE/GROUP NOUNS

 Collective nouns take verb in singular but when the individuals are taken separately the verb can be in plural.
 Examples:
1. The army of soldiers was marching.
2. The gang of thieves was finally caught.
3. My pair of socks is kept on the table.
4. The herd of cattle is grazing.
5. The judges were divided in their opinion.
WEIGHT/TIME/DISTANCE

 A plural noun referring to distance/weight/height/amount of money represent a single figure or quantity, so

the verb must be singular.
 Examples:
1. Ten years is a very long time.
2. Fifty kilometers is a long distance.
3. Hundred rupees is not a big amount.
4. She gave him an old five hundred rupee note.
Sentences beginning with ‘There is’ or ‘There
are’

 When a sentence begins with introductory ‘there’ the verb must agree with the noun that follows it.
 Examples:
1. There is little administrative support.
2. There are many factors affecting teacher retention.
3. There are ten apples in the basket.
Exercise

Were was

It is raining. A damp cutting wind Is was

Were was

Has have

Way ways

Has have
Exercise

Is are

Are is

Know Does do

Warm warms

Have has

Increases increase
Exercise

Is are

Are is

Know Does do

Warm warms

Have has

Increases increase
THANK YOU !