SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
A verb must agree with its subject in number and person. A singular
subject takes a singular verb whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.
Example:
Soham is a smart boy. He goes to school regularly.
My sisters are extremely smart. They attend college regularly.
Rules of Subject Verb Agreement
1. Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by ‘and’ require a
plural verb.
• Sonam and Ritu are going to see the movie.
• The Director and the Manager are coming to attend the meeting.
But, if the nouns suggest one idea or refer to the same person or thing,
then the verb required is singular.
• The great author and poet is dead.
• The car and driver is at the door.
2. Two or more singular subjects connected by or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, not only/ but also
require a singular verb.
• Either Raj or his brother has to attend the conference.
• Neither Manu nor Tina is writing the article.
• Not only reading but also writing is done in class.
If both the subjects are plural and are connected by or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, not only/but
also require a plural verb.
• Either books or worksheets are sent home.
• Neither Manu’s parents nor his siblings are present for the meeting.
If one subject is singular and one is plural and are connected by or, nor, neither/nor, either/or,
not only/ but also, then the verb in the sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun with the
noun or pronoun closest to it.
• Either Raj or his brothers have to submit the report.
• Neither Manu’s papers nor his briefcase was found in the car.
[Link] two or more singular subjects are connected by with, as well
as, along with, together with, accompanied by, then the verb agrees
with the first subject.
• The politician along with his supporters is arriving at the venue
shortly.
• The teachers as well as the supporting staff were praised on the stage.
[Link] pronouns- each, everyone, no one, nobody, somebody,
every, etc. must be followed by a singular verb.
• No one is allowed to smoke or drink at the party.
• Each man and woman is required to fill the form.
[Link] which are plural in form but singular in meaning take a singular
verb.
• The Three Musketeers is an interesting novel.
• Physics is an interesting subject.
6.A collective noun takes a singular verb when the members of the group
are working as one unit. If the members of a group are working as
individuals, then the collective noun takes a plural verb.
• The fleet of ships was to leave for France the next day.
• The orchestra were asked to name their musical instruments.
[Link] the plural noun is a proper name of countries, organizations or
books, it must be followed by a singular verb.
• The Parents Teachers Association is having a meeting.
• Gulliver’s Travels is my favourite book.
[Link] of time, money, measurement, weight, volume, fractions,
etc are considered as one unit, so, the verb is singular.
• Ten days is not enough to complete my work.
• Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
[Link] such as stationery, furniture, clothing, cutlery, etc. take singular
verb.
• The furniture in this store is very expensive.
• The stationery is lying in the box.
• [Link] such as police, cattle take a plural verb.
• The cattle are roaming in the neighborhood.
• The police have caught a thief.
11. Collective nouns such as herd, Senate, class, crowd etc take a
singular verb.
• The herd is grazing in the fields.
• The crowd has gathered around the area.
12. Nouns such as trousers, scissors, sunglasses, jeans, shorts, pliers,
slacks, tweezers, binoculars, spectacles etc take plural verb.
• Your jeans are dirty.
• The sunglasses are lying on the table.
But if used with a phrase, a pair of, then it takes a singular verb.
• A pair of trousers is on discount.
• A pair of scissors has been used to cut this paper.
[Link] the noun is uncountable, it is considered as a singular subject and
takes a singular verb.
• There was no sugar in the coffee.
• There is little water in the well.
[Link] sentences beginning with one of the , the verb agrees with one
and takes a singular verb.
• One of the boxes is open.
• One of the guests has forgotten his mobile in the room.
Exercise:
1. Choose the correct form of the verbs that agree with the subjects:
[Link] (are/is) going to the party today.
[Link] Rani or Sumi (is/are) going to be the topper this year.
[Link] boys and the girls (is/are) making noise.
[Link] my bag or your bag (are/is) lying on the floor.
[Link] Jim and Tim (don’t/doesn’t) go to school.
[Link] (don’t/doesn’t) like to drink coffee.
[Link] of my sisters (is/are) a teacher in this school.
[Link] (take/takes) about half an hour to reach the bus stop.
[Link] as well as Sunil (want/wants) to win this competition.
[Link] man who is standing there (live/lives) near my house.
[Link] (has/have) seen the movie.
[Link] of the students (hasn’t/haven’t) paid the fee.
[Link] (has/have) claimed the mobile yet.
[Link] (has/have) switched on the lights.
[Link] of the board members (are/is) willing to attend the charity show.
[Link] of the two students (is/are) going to get the prize.
17.A pair of sparrows (is/are) sitting on the window sill.
18.A pair of socks (was/were) hung out to dry.
[Link] quality of the mangoes (is/are) very good.
[Link] tickets to this show (is/are) sold out.
2. Fill in the blanks with correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject:
1. This equipment in working condition.
2. The teacher teaching in the class.
3. Neither Ram nor his brothers coming to school tomorrow.
4. The team cheered by the crowd.
5. The little boy standing near the gate very rude.
6. Economics a very interesting subject.
7. The doctor told the patient’s parents that there ___ an improvement.
8. Rahul always been a hardworking boy.
9. It is Jamie, not Sam who a right to this property.
10. A thousand rupees _ distributed among the poor beggars.
3. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs keeping in mind subject verb
agreement-
i. Neither Ravi nor Sahil _ there in the class. All the children __ in the auditorium.
The dance competition about to begin. The winning team will be awarded a
cash prize of ten thousand rupees. Ten thousand rupees __a big sum. The students
eagerly waiting.
ii. “Either you or your brother broken my flower vase”, said
Mrs. Tara to Shiva. Neither I nor my brother done anything of that
sort. It___ Romi who broke it. Both of us sleeping in our room when we
heard the loud crash”, Shiva clarified. “Telling lies been your favourite
hobby Shiva”, said Mrs. Tara. When ____ I ever told lies? You ____ always
blamed us, whereas Romi __ the real culprit. This ____not fair. We brothers
innocent.
iii. Everyone ___ excited about the party. Sara and Dinesh ___ organising the food. Many of
my classmates are arriving early to decorate the party room. The party ___ at 8 o’clock. Each of
us bringing a small gift that less than Rs.250 for another person. Mike, like many other
students, been trying to decide on the best gift to buy. Mike doesn’t want to get something
serious, he to make people laugh.
Asset Questions:
[Link] of these sentences is grammatically correct?
a. Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
b. Bread and butter are my favourite breakfast.
c. Bread and butter have my favourite breakfast.
d. Bread and butter has my favourite breakfast.
[Link] in the blank with a verb that agrees with the subject.
Neither Ravi nor his parents ______ arrived for the function.
a. is
b. are
c. has
d. have
