Agreement of Verb. by Dr. Anshu


Definition
Subject–Verb Agreement means that the verb must agree with its subject in number (singular/plural) and person (first, second, third).
Basic Rule:
Singular Subject → Singular Verb
Plural Subject → Plural Verb
Examples:
She writes a letter. (Singular subject → singular verb)
They write letters. (Plural subject → plural verb)
1. Basic Rules of Subject–Verb Agreement
Rule 1: Singular Subject takes Singular Verb
Examples:
Ram plays football.
The boy runs fast.
Sh likes music.
Rule 2: Plural Subject takes Plural Verb
Examples:
The boys play cricket.
They work hard.
Students study daily.
2. Agreement with “And”
(A) Two subjects joined by “and” → Plural Verb
Examples:
Ram and Shyam are friends.
Tea and coffee are available.
(B) If two nouns refer to one person/idea → Singular Verb
Examples:
My friend and guide is coming.
(One person)
Bread and butter is my breakfast.
3. Agreement with “Or / Nor / Either…Or / Neither…Nor”
The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Examples:
Either Ram or his friends are coming.
Either the teachers or the principal is present.
Neither the boys nor the teacher is here.
4. Agreement with Collective Nouns
Collective nouns (team, jury, family, committee) usually take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit.
Examples:
The team is winning.
The committee has decided the plan.
But if members act separately → plural verb
The team are arguing among themselves.
5. Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
(A) Always Singular
Each, Everyone, Someone, Anybody, Nobody, Everyone, Each one
Examples:
Everyone is happy.
Each student has a book.
Somebody is knocking at the door.
(B) Always Plural
Few, Many, Several, Both
Examples:
Many are absent today.
Several have completed the task.
(C) Can be Singular or Plural (Depends on context)
All, Some, None, Most
Examples:
Some milk is left. (uncountable → singular)
Some students are absent. (countable → plural)
6. Agreement with “There” Sentences
The verb agrees with the real subject that comes after the verb.
Examples:
There is a book on the table.
There are many books on the table.
7. Agreement with Amount, Time, Distance, Money
When used as a single unit → singular verb
Examples:
Ten kilometers is a long distance.
Five hundred rupees is enough.
Two hours is sufficient.
8. Agreement with Titles of Books, Films, Subjects
Titles and subject names take singular verbs.
Examples:
Mathematics is a difficult subject.
“Gulliver’s Travels” is a famous book.
9. Agreement with “A number of / The number of”
A number of + plural noun → plural verb
The number of + plural noun → singular verb
Examples:
A number of students are present.
The number of students is increasing.
10. Agreement with “Each / Every”
Each and Every take singular verbs.
Examples:
Each boy is ready.
Every student has submitted the assignment.
11. Special Cases (Important for Competitive Exams)
(1) Subjects with “Along with / As well as / Together with”
Verb agrees with the first subject.
Examples:
The teacher, along with the students, is present.
Ram as well as his friends is invited.
(2) Nouns that look plural but are singular
Examples:
News is important.
Physics is interesting.
Economics is a social science.
(3) Plural form but singular meaning (Diseases/Games)
Examples:
Measles is a disease.
Billiards is an indoor game.
12. Common Errors in Subject–Verb Agreement
Incorrect:
She go to school daily.
Correct:
She goes to school daily.
Incorrect:
Everyone have completed the work.
Correct:
Everyone has completed the work.
Incorrect:
The list of items are on the table.
Correct:
The list of items is on the table.

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