Basic Rule:
A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a
plural verb.
- The boy plays cricket.
- The boys play cricket.
- She is happy.
- They are happy.
Important: In the present tense,
a singular subject generally takes -s/-es with the main verb, but a
plural subject takes the base form.
RULE 1:
Singular Subject → Singular Verb
A singular noun/pronoun
takes a singular verb.
- Ram plays football.
- The girl sings well.
- My brother works in Jaipur.
- He does his work carefully.
Remember:
He/She/It + V₁ + s/es
RULE 2:
Plural Subject → Plural Verb
A plural subject takes
a plural verb.
- The boys play football.
- The girls sing well.
- My brothers work here.
- They do their work.
Remember:
I/We/You/They + V₁
RULE 3:
Two Subjects Joined by AND
Two singular subjects
joined by and generally take a plural verb.
- Ram and Shyam are friends.
- English and Mathematics are
interesting subjects.
- The teacher and the student have
arrived.
But when
two nouns refer to ONE person/thing or one combined idea:
- The poet and philosopher is
dead.
(one person who is both poet and philosopher) - Bread and butter is my
favourite breakfast.
(one combined item/meal) - Slow and steady wins the
race.
(one combined idea)
RULE 4:
EACH / EVERY + Singular Noun
Each and every take
a singular noun and singular verb.
- Each student has a book.
- Every boy is present.
- Each of the players is
ready.
- Every student needs
guidance.
RULE 5:
EACH OF / EVERY ONE OF
Each of + plural
noun/pronoun + singular verb
- Each of the boys is
intelligent.
- Each of the students has a
notebook.
- Each of them was present.
Similarly:
- Every one of the students has
submitted the form.
RULE 6:
EVERY / EACH + TWO OR MORE NOUNS
When each/every
comes before two or more nouns joined by and, the verb is usually
singular.
- Every boy and girl is
required to attend.
- Each student and teacher has
received the notice.
RULE 7:
EITHER / NEITHER
Either and neither,
when used alone or with of + plural noun, generally take a singular
verb.
- Either of the boys is
responsible.
- Neither of the answers is
correct.
- Neither of them has arrived.
RULE 8:
EITHER...OR / NEITHER...NOR
When two subjects are
joined by either...or, neither...nor, the verb agrees with the nearer
subject.
- Either Ram or Shyam is
responsible.
- Neither the teacher nor the
principal is available.
- Either the teachers or the
principal is coming.
- Either the principal or the
teachers are coming.
RULE 9:
NOT ONLY...BUT ALSO
The verb agrees with
the subject nearest to it.
- Not only the teacher but also the
students are ready.
- Not only the students but also the
teacher is ready.
RULE 10: AS
WELL AS, ALONG WITH, TOGETHER WITH, WITH, ACCOMPANIED BY, IN ADDITION TO
These expressions do
not change the number of the main subject.
- Ram, along with his friends, is
going.
- The teacher, as well as the
students, is present.
- The principal, together with the
staff, has arrived.
RULE 11: A
NUMBER OF / THE NUMBER OF
This is one of the most
important exam rules.
A number
of + plural noun → plural verb
- A number of students are
absent.
- A number of problems have
been reported.
The
number of + plural noun → singular verb
- The number of students is
increasing.
- The number of applicants has
increased.
RULE 12: MANY
A / MANY AN
Many a + singular noun
+ singular verb
- Many a student has made this
mistake.
- Many a man has tried to
solve the problem.
Although the meaning is
plural, the grammatical structure is singular.
RULE 13: MORE
THAN ONE
More than one +
singular noun + singular verb
- More than one student has
failed.
- More than one person is
responsible.
RULE 14: ONE
OF + PLURAL NOUN
One of + plural noun +
singular verb
- One of the boys is absent.
- One of my friends has gone
to Delhi.
- One of the teachers was
selected.
RULE 15: THE
ONLY ONE OF
The only one of +
plural noun + singular verb
- He is the only one of the students
who has passed.
- She is the only one of the players
who is selected.
RULE 16: SOME
/ ALL / MOST / HALF / PART / REST
The verb depends on the
noun following of.
With
plural/countable noun → plural verb
- Some of the students are
absent.
- Most of the books are
useful.
- All of the players have
arrived.
With
uncountable noun → singular verb
- Some of the water is dirty.
- Most of the information is
useful.
- All of the money has been
spent.
RULE 17:
WHO / WHICH / THAT
The verb after who,
which, that agrees with the noun/pronoun to which it refers.
- He is one of the students who work
hard.
- She is the only one of the students
who works hard.
Compare:
One of the students who
work hard...
→ who = students → work
The only one of the
students who works hard...
→ who = one → works
RULE 18: PERCENTAGE
/ FRACTION
The verb depends on the
noun after of.
- Fifty per cent of the students are
present.
- Fifty per cent of the work is
complete.
- Two-thirds of the students have
passed.
- Two-thirds of the land is
barren.
RULE 19: COLLECTIVE
NOUNS
Words such as:
team, family,
committee, jury, audience, class, staff, government, army, police
can take different
verbs depending on meaning.
Unit acting together →
singular
- The team is winning.
- The committee has taken a
decision.
- The family is happy.
Individuals acting
separately → plural, especially in British English
- The team are arguing among
themselves.
- The committee are divided in
their opinions.
- The family are packing their
bags.
RULE 20: UNCOUNTABLE
NOUNS
Uncountable nouns
normally take singular verbs.
Examples:
information, advice,
furniture, luggage, equipment, knowledge, news, machinery
- The information is useful.
- The furniture is expensive.
- His advice was helpful.
- The equipment is new.
RULE 21: SCISSORS
/ TROUSERS / SPECTACLES
These normally take
plural verbs.
- The scissors are sharp.
- My trousers are dirty.
- His spectacles are broken.
But:
A pair of + plural noun
→ singular verb
- A pair of scissors is on the
table.
- A pair of trousers was
bought yesterday.
RULE 22: POLICE, PEOPLE
Police normally takes a
plural verb.
- The police have arrested the
thief.
- The police are investigating
the case.
- People are becoming more
aware.
- People have different
opinions.
But:
- A police officer is here.
RULE 23:
NEWS/ MATHEMATICS / PHYSICS / ECONOMICS
News is singular despite
ending in -s.
- The news is shocking.
- The news was broadcast
yesterday.
- Mathematics is difficult.
- Physics is interesting.
- Economics is an important
subject.
RULE 24: GERUND
AS SUBJECT
A gerund phrase used as
the subject normally takes a singular verb.
- Swimming is good exercise.
- Reading books improves
vocabulary.
- Walking every morning keeps
us healthy.
RULE 25: INFINITIVE
AS SUBJECT
An infinitive phrase
used as subject normally takes a singular verb.
- To read books is a good
habit.
- To help others is noble.
- To obey the rules is
necessary.
RULE 26: TITLES
OF BOOKS, FILMS, NEWSPAPERS ETC.
A title is generally
treated as singular, even if it looks plural.
- The Arabian Nights is an
interesting book.
- The United States is a
powerful country.
- Great Expectations is a
famous novel.
RULE 27: DISTANCE,
MONEY, TIME AND WEIGHT AS ONE UNIT
When an amount is
considered as one whole unit, use a singular verb.
- Ten kilometres is a long
distance.
- Five years is a long time.
- Five hundred rupees is
enough.
- Ten kilograms is too heavy
for me.
But when individual
units are emphasised, a plural verb may be appropriate:
- Five years have passed since
we met.
(five individual years have elapsed)
RULE 28: A
LOT OF / LOTS OF / PLENTY OF
The verb depends on the
noun after of.
- A lot of students are
absent.
- A lot of money is required.
- Plenty of food is available.
- Plenty of books are
available.
RULE 29: THERE
+ BE
With there is/are,
the verb agrees with the real subject that follows it.
- There is a book on the
table.
- There are two books on the
table.
- There is a problem.
- There are many problems.
- There was a boy outside.
- There were several boys
outside.
RULE 30: HERE
+ BE
The same principle
applies.
- Here is your book.
- Here are your books.
- Here is the information you
requested.
- Here are the documents.
RULE 31: SUBJECT
SEPARATED FROM VERB
Words between the
subject and verb do not normally affect agreement.
- The boy who lives next door is
my friend.
- The quality of these products is
excellent.
- The students in this class are
intelligent.
RULE 32: BOTH
Both + plural noun +
plural verb
- Both boys are intelligent.
- Both of them have arrived.
- Both the answers are
correct.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS:
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Directions: Fill in the blanks
with the correct form of the verb given in brackets.
1.
Neither
Rahul nor his friends ______ present at the meeting yesterday. (was / were)
2.
The
team ______ playing extremely well in the tournament this year. (is / are)
3.
Bread
and butter ______ his favorite breakfast option. (is / are)
4.
Every
student and teacher ______ expected to follow the new rules. (is / are)
5.
One
of my cousins ______ a renowned doctor in New Delhi. (is / are)
6.
The
news about the exam results ______ announced an hour ago. (was / were)
7.
Mathematics
______ considered a tough subject by many students. (is / are)
8.
A
pair of scissors ______ kept on the top drawer of the table. (is / are)
9.
My
scissors ______ missing from the desk. (is / are)
10. Either the principal or
the teachers ______ going to address the assembly. (is / are)
11. The quality of these
mangoes ______ not very good. (is / are)
12. Fifty kilometers ______
a long distance to travel on foot. (is / are)
13. Neither of the two
proposals ______ acceptable to the committee. (was / were)
14. The captain, along with
his team members, ______ received warmly by the crowd. (was / were)
15. A number of students
______ participating in the annual cultural program. (is / are)
16. The number of seats in
this auditorium ______ limited. (is / are)
17. Many a student ______
made this careless mistake in the examination. (has / have)
18. Either you or he ______
responsible for this delay. (is / are)
19. Slow and steady ______
the race. (win / wins)
20. The committee ______
divided in their opinions on the issue. (was / were)
