SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
1. Singular Subject à Singular Verb
I am free.
He is here.
Ram goes home.
She was here.
My sister has a copy.
My brother had.
2. Plural Subject à Plural Verb
We are free.
They are here.
Children go home.
Girls were here.
My sisters have a copy.
My brothers had.
3. (A) Compound subjects/Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by ‘and’ à Plural verb
Fire and water do
not agree.
Knowledge and wisdom have
of times no connection.
Are your father
and mother at home?
He and I were
playing.
(B) If
the Compound Nouns suggests
one idea à Singular verb
Time and tide waits
for no man.
The horse and carriage is at the door.
Bread and butter is
his only food.
Honour and glory is
his reward.
The rise and fall of the tide is due to lunar influence.
My friend and benefactor has
come.
The novelist and poet is
dead.
Tom and Jerry is my favourite show.
4. The following combination of words à Singular verb
Everyone has finished his or her homework.
Noone knows the answer to this question.
Something is better than nothing.
Has anyone told you the answer?
Anything is possible.
It seems as if everybody is mistaken.
5. Either, neither, each
à Singular verb
Either
It doesn’t
matter. Either is fine with me.
Either option is acceptable.
Either of the days is suitable for the
meeting.
Neither
Neither car is available for rent.
Neither car is available for rent.
The dogs
are barking loudly, but neither
seems to be upset.
Each
Each of the students is responsible for doing
his or her work in the library.
Each house on the street is unique.
6. All, some, more à Plural/Singular verb
Countable à Plural:
All are present today. (All students/employees – countable)
Some are
playing in the garden. (Some
boys/girls/children – countable)
More people are
called to lift the fallen tree. (More people – countable)
More were
added to the collection. (More,
may be: books – countable)
Uncountable à Singular verb:
All water is not required now. (All water – uncountable)
Some of the water is gone. (Some water – uncountable)
More care is given to raise the child. (More care – uncountable)
More is added to the tea. (More, may be: sugar – uncountable)
7. Many, several, few (few/ a few/ the few) à Plural verb
Among 100
books, many are found missing.
Many are moving out to settle in the cities.
In the
tournament several are injured.
Several houses in the neighborhood were for sale.
A few are still remaining to complete.
A few hands are required to complete this task.
8. Much, little (little/ a little/ the little) à Singular verb
Much effort is required to complete the project.
There is much information to consider before making a decision.
Too much was unnecessarily spoken.
A little is known about this famous artist.
9. Collective and Abstract nouns à Singular verb
The crowd is cheering.
A crowd of people rashes into the hall.
A group of boys was playing in the ground.
The group meets every week.
The jury has made an unfair decision.
The majority has the authority most of the time.
The majority has the
authority most of the time.
Martin's family plans to vacation in Shrinagar
this summer.
A huge swarm of locusts has destroyed the crops.
10. Abstract nouns à Singular verb
Honesty is the best policy.
Good friendship keeps your mind and body healthy.
Fear begins to haunt him.
Some help is needed.
The price of freedom is constant vigilance.
11. Uncountable nouns à Singular verb
The child's hair was curly.
Good education is the best investment in Britain’s future.
Time passes more and more quickly as you grow older.
Progress is slow with the construction of building.
Religion has been a powerful force in history.
12. ‘Here’ and ‘There’ are not the Subject of a sentence.
13. Study the following à Verb agrees the Noun or Pronoun nearest to it.
14. As well as, along with, together with, besides: Identify the Subject in such case
15. Error of Proximity
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