English Grammar - Subject Verb Agreement Rules (Class 10/9/8)
① If the subject is singular the verb must be singular too.
e.g.
She writes neatly.
I sing in the evening.
② If the subject is plural the verb must be plural.
e.g.
They play with agility.
③ When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns then use a plural verb.
e.g.
The director and actors work hard to put up a good show.
④ When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the subject.
e.g.
The management is strict and is thinking of making some changes in the rulebook.
⑤ When a phrase comes between the subject and verb, the verb still agrees with the subject not with the noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of the sentences.
e.g.
The student with all the copies is allowed to enter the class.
⑥ When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ use a singular verb.
e.g.
The manager or the assistant manager approves the bill.
⑦ When a compound subject contains both a singular and plural noun joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ the verb should agree with the subject that is closest to the verb.
e.g.
The trainer or the officers write the report.
The officers or the trainer writes the report.
⑧ The following words and phrases require singular verb: each, everyone, each one, either, neither, everybody, anyone, anybody, no body, somebody, someone, no one.
e.g.
Each of the runners was given the kit.
Neither of you was exempted.
⑨ Uncountable nouns take a singular verb.
e.g.
The information was disseminated by the researchers.
The research is essential for upgradation.
⑩ Some countable nouns such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings, proceeds, contents and valuable only have plural form and take plural verb.
e.g.
The goods in godown are expensive.
The earnings need to be mentioned in the form.
⑪ In sentences beginning with there the verb agrees with what follows the verb.
e.g.
There are many factors affecting the rise in temperature.
There is little to do in this field.
⑫ Collective nouns are considered singular and take singular verb. example group, committee, family and class but if the focus is on individuals in the group then the verb will be plural. This is rare.
e.g.
The group does the work everyday.
The team leaves at five in the morning.
Exercise: Fill in the blanks with suitable form of verb.
1. We ______ here yesterday. (arrive)
2. My brother ____ back from college. (be)
3. Dogs sometimes ______ their tails when angry. (wag)
4. I _____ not think it is a good idea. (does/do)
5. There ____ a pen in his pocket. (be)
6. The committee is investigating the case and ________ three retired judges. (comprise)
7. How often ____ you ____ gymnasium? (go)
8. Riches ______ wings. (has/have)
9. A large number of cattle ______ grazing (was/were)
10. The goods in godown _____ expensive. (is/are)
Answers:
1. arrived
2. is
3. wag
4. do
5. is
6. comprise
7. do, go
8. has
9. were
10. are
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