Subject-Verb Agreement: Most Important Rules for Exams
Definition
Subject-Verb Agreement means that the verb must agree with the subject in number and person.
- Singular subject → Singular verb
- Plural subject → Plural verb
Examples:
- She plays. (singular)
- They play. (plural)
Basic Rules
Rule 1: A Singular Subject Takes a Singular Verb
✔ Example:
- The boy runs fast.
- A cat is on the roof.
Rule 2: A Plural Subject Takes a Plural Verb
✔ Example:
- The boys run fast.
- The cats are on the roof.
Rule 3: “I” and “You” Take a Plural Verb (Even if Singular Meaning)
✔ Examples:
- I am happy.
- You are smart.
- You have done well.
Rule 4: When Two Subjects Are Joined by AND → Use Plural Verb
✔ Examples:
- Ram and Shyam are friends.
- Bread and butter are sold here.
📌 Exception: When two words refer to one idea → Singular verb
✔ Example:
- Rice and curry is my favorite dish.
- Time and tide waits for none. (Fixed proverb)
Rule 5: When Subjects Are Joined by OR / NOR → Verb Agrees with Nearest Subject
✔ Examples:
- Either Rohan or his friends are coming.
- Either the students or the teacher is responsible.
- Neither my friends nor I am interested.
Rule 6: Collective Nouns
- Treated as singular when acting as one unit.
- Treated as plural when individuals are shown separately.
✔ Examples:
- The team is winning. (one unit)
- The team are arguing among themselves. (individuals)
Rule 7: Indefinite Pronouns
| Singular → Singular Verb | Plural → Plural Verb |
|---|---|
| Each, Everyone, Someone, Anyone, Either, Neither | Many, Few, Several, Both |
✔ Examples:
- Everyone is present.
- Neither of them has left.
- Many were absent.
Rule 8: Amount, Time, Distance, Weight → Singular Verb
✔ Examples:
- Ten rupees is a small amount.
- Two kilometers is a long walk.
- Five years is a long time.
Rule 9: Nouns Ending in -s but Singular in Meaning → Singular Verb
✔ Examples:
- Mathematics is difficult.
- News is important.
- Economics is my favorite subject.
Rule 10: Some Plural-Looking Nouns Always Take Plural Verb
✔ Examples:
- Scissors are sharp.
- Trousers are new.
- Pants are expensive.
Rule 11: Titles of Books/Movies Take Singular Verb
✔ Examples:
- Gulliver’s Travels is my favorite book.
- The Avengers is a hit movie title. (Name treated as single entity)
Rule 12: Fractions and Percentages
- Verb agrees with the noun after ‘of’.
✔ Examples:
- Fifty percent of the work is completed.
- Fifty percent of the students are absent.
Common Errors & Corrections
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| The players is tired. | The players are tired. |
| Each boy and girl are happy. | Each boy and girl is happy. |
| Either of the answers are correct. | Either of the answers is correct. |
Quick Summary Table
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| Singular noun | Singular verb |
| Plural noun | Plural verb |
| I | am |
| You | are |
| Collective noun (as one unit) | Singular |
| Two subjects with AND | Plural |
| Either/Neither + singular noun | Singular |
| Many/Few | Plural |
