Subject verb concord
A verb should always agree with its subject in number and in
person for correct framing of the sentences. Often, the verb is
made to agree in number with a noun near it instead of its proper
subject. It is an error. This common error is called the ‘error of
proximity’. The verb must agree with its proper subject.
1. The price of the apples was very high.
2. The price of the apples were very high.
The sentence number 2 is wrong because in it the verb
‘were’ is wrongly agreed with the noun ‘apples’ near it. It
is an Error of proximity.
The following rules can be kept in mind:-
1. If two or more singular nouns and pronouns are joined by
conjunction 'and' we use a plural verb.
For example:- Rahul and Aman have gone to watch a movie.
2. When two nouns suggest the same idea or refer to the same
person or thing, we use a singular verb.
For example:- Rise and fall of Mughal Empire is the subject
of his thesis.
3. If the singular subject is preceded by the words like 'each' or
'every' the verb is usually singular.
For example:- Every woman, man and child was present at
the gathering.
4. A collective noun takes a singular verb when the group is
considered as a unit.
For example:- (a) The staff is eagerly waiting.
(b) The committee has accepted your resignation.
5. However, if we use or are referring to the members of a unit
individually, a plural verb is used.
For example:- The committee members are divided in their
opinion.
6. Some nouns are plural in form, but singular in meaning. Such
nouns take a singular verb.
For example:- The news was scary.
7. The word 'each', 'everyone', 'neither- nor' and 'either-or' take a
singular verb.
For example:- Everyone was happy.
8. If the subjects joined by 'either-or' and 'neither-nor’, the verb
agrees in number, with the subject that is close to it.
For example:- Neither the team members nor the caption
has reached the station.
9. When two subjects are joined by 'as well as' or 'along with' the
verb agrees with the first subject, i. e., if the first noun is in
singular, the verb must be singular even if the second noun is
plural.
For example:- Neha along with her friend has won the prize.
10. 'Many' refers to number, and is plural. 'Much refers to
amount and is singular.
For example:- Much of the milk was wasted.
11. When the subject has the phrase 'one of the' followed by a
plural noun, the verb is singular.
For example:- One of the boys in the class was praised by the
teacher.
One of the birds was chirping.
12. when we use an uncountable noun as the subject of a verb,
we use a singular form of the verb.
For example : honesty is the best policy
Fear begins to haunt him.
13. For distances, weight, height or amount of money, we use
singular verb even when the subject is plural.
For example : Ten thousand rupees is not a small amount.
Three kilometers is a small distance.
14. The title of the book, the name of a house or a hotel in plural
takes a singular verb.
For example : “The Arabian nights” has interesting stories.
15. collective nouns like group, crowd,flock,regiment,etc. are
generally followed by a singular verb.
For example: A group of boys was playing in the ground.
A crowd of people rushes into the hall.
Question):-
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words, following the rules of
subject verb agreement.
i) Neither he nor she __ to blame.
ii) The jury __ from different parts of city.
iii) She is one of the kindest teachers that __ ever lived.
iv) Aman, with all his followers __ present.
v) Perseverance as well as patience __ our strength.
vi) Each of the students’ __ studying for the test.
vii) The classes’ __ over.
viii) Either my uncle or my grandparents’ __ going to by me a
laptop.
ix) Most of my friends ____ government employees.
x) That night every one of the boys __ down with fever.
Worksheet 2.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of verb. Choose the answers from the options
given in the brackets.
1. One of my friends ..................... .. gone to
France.
has
have
2. Each of the boys ..................... . given a
present.
was
were
3. Neither of the contestants ..................... .. able
to win a decisive victory.
was
were
4. Oil and water ..................... .. not mix.
does
do
5. He and I ..................... .. at Oxford together.
was
were
6. Slow and steady ....................... the race.
win
wins
7. Neither Peter nor James ....................... any
right to the property.
has
have
8. No prize or medal ………………….. given to the
boy, though he stood first in the examination.
was
were
9. Either Mary or Alice ..................... responsible
for this.
is
are
10. Neither the Minister nor his colleagues
.....................…… given any explanation for this.
has
have
Answers
1. One of my friends has gone to France.
2. Each of the boys was given a present.
3. Neither of the contestants was able to win a decisive victory.
4. Oil and water do not mix.
5. He and I were at Oxford together.
6. Slow and steady wins the race.
7. Neither Peter nor James has any right to the property.
8. No prize or medal was given to the boy, though he stood first in the examination.
9. Either Mary or Alice is responsible for this.
10. Neither the Minister nor his colleagues have given an explanation for this.
