Subject–Verb Agreement is an important rule of English
grammar which tells that the verb must agree with the subject in number
and person. Using the correct verb makes our sentences grammatically
correct and easy to understand.
Rule 1: A singular
subject takes a singular verb.
Structure: Singular Subject +
Singular Verb
Examples:
- The teacher explains
the lesson.
- Riya is
writing an essay.
- He has
submitted his notebook.
Rule 2: A plural
subject takes a plural verb.
Structure: Plural Subject +
Plural Verb
Examples:
- The students play
football.
- Birds are flying
in the sky.
- My friends have
given me birthday gift.
Rule 3: Two or more
subjects joined by ‘and’ usually take a plural verb.
Examples:
- Rohan and Mohan
have got the medals.
- English and
Science are important subjects.
- The Principal
and the teachers welcome the guests.
Rule 4: If two nouns
joined by 'and' refer to the same person or thing, use a singular verb.
Examples:
- My friend and
guide is Mrs. Sharma.
- Bread and
butter is my favourite breakfast.
Rule 5: Subjects
joined by 'or, nor, either...or, neither...nor' take the verb according to the
subject nearest to it.
Examples:
- Either the
teacher or the students are responsible.
- Either the
students or the teacher is responsible.
- Neither Riya
nor her friends have arrived.
Rule 6: Words
between the subject and the verb do not change the verb.
Examples:
- The bouquet of
flowers is beautiful.
- The quality of
these books is excellent.
- The captain,
along with his team, was ready.
Rule 7: 'Each, Every,
Everyone, Everybody, Someone, Anyone, Nobody, Everybody' take a singular verb.
Examples:
- Everyone likes
holidays.
- Each student has
a notebook.
- Nobody is watching
the TV.
Rule 8: 'Some, Many,
Several, Few, Both' take a plural verb.
Examples:
- Many students participate
in sports.
- Several books are
missing.
- Both girls have
won prizes.
Rule 9: Collective
nouns usually take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit.
Examples:
- The class is
silent.
- The team has
won the match.
- The jury has
announced its decision.
Rule 10: 'There is /
There are' depends on the noun that follows.
Examples:
- There is
a library in our school.
- There are
many computers in the lab.
- There are
two teachers in the room.
Rule 11: Uncountable
nouns take a singular verb.
Examples:
- Water is
essential for life.
- Furniture is
expensive.
- Information was
useful.
Rule 12: Titles of
books, newspapers, films and subjects take a singular verb.
Examples:
- The Ramayana is an
epic.
- Mathematics is
my favourite subject.
- The Hindu is
published daily.
Rule 13: Amounts of
money, distance and time are treated as singular when considered as one unit.
Examples:
- Five kilometres
is a long walk.
- Ten thousand
rupees is a large amount.
- Two hours is
enough for the test.
Rule 14: Plural
nouns that name one thing take a singular verb.
Examples:
- News is
interesting.
- Measles has spread in the area.
- Physics is
an important subject.
Rule 15: 'A number of' takes a plural verb, but 'The number of' takes a singular verb.
Examples:
- A number of
students have participated.
- The number of
students is increasing.
- A number of
books were donated.
Quick Summary
|
Subject |
Verb |
|
Singular noun |
Singular verb |
|
Plural noun |
Plural verb |
|
A and B |
Plural verb |
|
Either...or /
Neither...nor |
Verb agrees with
the nearest subject |
|
Each, Every,
Everyone, Somebody |
Singular verb |
|
Many, Few,
Several, Both |
Plural verb |
|
Collective noun
(one unit) |
Singular verb |
|
There is / There
are |
According to the
following noun |
|
Uncountable noun |
Singular verb |
|
A number of |
Plural verb |
|
The number of |
Singular verb |
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