SUBJECT Verb AGREEMENT

Introduction
The basic principle behind subject verb agreement is that it implies that the subject and the
verb of a sentence must always agree for the sentence to be grammatically correct.
That means: A singular subject is always followed by the singular form of verb, and a plural
subject is always followed by the plural form of the verb.
Singular subjects and their verb
Rani likes chocolates.
A hen lays eggs.
The subject nouns are singular, meaning they stand for a single person, animal or thing and
you would have observed that the verbs ‘likes’ and ‘lays’ in these two sentences end in ‘s’.
SUBJECT Verb AGREEMENT
• Plural Subjects and their verbs – means those nouns or pronouns that stand for more than
one person or thing.
• Examples : The athletes run for one hour daily.
These dogs bark at any strangers.
We have plural subjects ‘athletes’ and ‘dogs’ in these sentences; as you can observe the verbs
run and bark, used for these plural subjects do not end with ‘s’.
So Subject verb agreement rules state that to form a plural of a verb in the present tense, one
should remove the ‘s’ (or sometimes ‘es’ or ‘ies’) from ts singular form.
Here are some examples of verbs in their present tense singular and plural form.
These are the general rules for 3rd person sngular and 3rd person plural pronouns/pronouns
So they won’t apply to 1st and 2nd person pronoun subjects.
Some Exceptions :
1st Person Singular – I play Basketball. 1st Person Plural – We play Basketball.
2nd Person Singular – You play Basketball. 2nd Person Plural – You play Basketball.

singular plural singular plural Singular Plural Singular Plural

Eats Eat Forgives Forgive Laughs Laugh Writes write

Runs run Goes Go Seeks Seek Fights Fight
Drinks Drink Hides Hide Wants Want Cries Cry
Flies Fly Leads Lead plays play
 SUBJECT Verb AGREEMENT
The verb ‘to be’, whether as main verb or as an auxiliary verb, follows a different rule
when it comes to subject/verb agreement. The irregular verb forms of ‘to be’ are very
commonly misused. The verb ‘to be’ takes different forms depending on the subject
person and number. Where there is a singular subject, the correct use of ‘to be is either
is, am, are, were or was. For a plural subject, the correct use of’ ‘to be’ is either are or
were. Anybody, who has studied English as a formal language in school is comfortable
with these verb forms, so let’s skip the examples and move on to the more meaty
portion, that is tricky area in Subject Verb Agreement Error.

Person Singular Plural

First Person I am/was feeling bored We are / We were going to
park.
Second You are/ You were talking on phone You are / You were
Person participating in a concert.
Third Person He is / was very gentle. They are/ They were
She is/ was playing tennis. playing all day.
It is/ was a bright summer day.
 Subject Verb Agreement Error

1. Confusing Singular and 5. The subject comes after the verb.

Plural Nouns

2. Subjects complicated by 6. The subject is a collective noun

words that come between
the subject and the verb.

3. Compound Subjects 7. The subject is an indefinite pronoun.

connected by conjunctions.

4. The verb is form of ‘to be’ * Other Special Cases.

 Confusing Singular and Plural Nouns
• Beware! Scissors is/are sharp. Countable Nouns :
• My luggage is/are lying at the bus stand. Some Exceptions Countable Nouns
• Generally, measles last/lasts about two weeks. Singular Plural Singular Plural
• Mathematics is/are my favourite subject.
Woman Women Boy Boys
• His hair has/have turned grey now.
• My trousers is/are stained. Tooth Teeth Mango Mangoes
• In the given sentences pick the correct
Child Children Tree Trees
underlined words from the options.
• For most nouns it is easy to identify which one is Goose Geese Building Buildings
singular and which one is plural. In common like Index Indices
‘s’ or ‘es’ added to countable nouns or other Doctor Doctor
forms as required and uncountable like – material Alumnus Alumni Knife Knives
nouns, abstract nouns Criterion Criteria
• Answers
• Beware! Scissors are sharp. Uncountable Nouns : Abstract Nouns Uncountable Nouns :Material Noun
• My luggage is lying at the bus
stand. Qualities : Honesty, Bravery Solid Liquid Gases
• Generally, measles lasts about
two weeks. State of Mind: Anger, love, Joy Wood Milk Air
• Mathematics is my favourite Ice Honey Steam
subject.
State of life: childhood, death
• His hair has turned grey now. Natural phenomenon : Heat, cold,
• My trousers are stained. lightening.
 Some uncountable Nouns are always singular
Nouns which cannot be subjected to physical count Some more uncountable nouns
are considered singular. When such uncountable
nouns are used as subjects they will take singular That are singular
verbs. Hair Advice Scenery
For instance : Honesty is the best policy.
Milk is good for health. Luggage Bread Furniture
‘s’ cannot be added to such words to form plural Poetry offspring Machinery
Some other tricky examples which look like plural
but are always singular. information Business Land
For Example : The news is not true.
Media is a mixed blessing.
1. Names of subjects : Maths,
Some plural Words that take plural verb. physics, Electronics (but
1. Names of instruments having 2 parts : scissors, bellows, gymnastics is plural)
tongs, pincers, spectacles, fetters, shears are plural 2. Names of common diseases :
2. Certain articles of dress (worn below the belt): trousers,
drawers, breeches, jeans, tights, shorts, pajamas, Mumps, Measles, Rickets,
pantaloons are plural. Staggers, Gripes
3. Parts of the body: bowels, entrails, intestines, biceps, 3. Names of some games : Billiards
genitals are also plural.
4. Certain other nouns : annals, thanks, tidings, environs,
and Draughts.
nuptials, obsequies, assets, chattels, dregs, wages, 4. The word News, Innings, Ethics
auspices, credentials, outskirts, gallows. Doldrums, Media and Data are all singular.
earnings are plural.
 Words which remain same when used as singular or Plural
1. sheep, swine, deer, cod, trout, salmon The aircraft is/are taking off on the
2. Aircraft, spacecraft, runway.
3. Series, species Statistics is offered every year in this
4. Some nouns ending in ‘ies’ (such as athletics, statistics college.
and polices) are considered singular, when referring to an The statistics indicate that crime is
organized body of knowledge and plural when referring to decreasing in this city
individual facts, qualities.
5. The word ‘Means’
 Subjects Complicated by Other words and Phrases that come in Between the Subject and its Verb

1. Prepositional Phrases
For Example : of the car,
at the old house, about him,
over that big hill
(as they start with a preposition)
Hints and Tips
Mentally cross out the
interrupting
word/words, so that you
can identify the subject.
The car with many riders was/were speeding around the bend.
The box of Nestle’s chocolates was/were found missing from my cupboard.
The arrival of internet and email make/makes communication easier.
The colours in this bed sheet look/looks beautiful.
The car with many riders was speeding around the bend.
The box of Nestle’s chocolates was found missing from my
cupboard.
The arrival of internet and email makes communication easier.
The colours in this bed sheet looks beautiful.
 Subjects get complicated by relative clauses
that come between the subject and the verb
Pick the correct underlined words from the options:
2. Relative clauses
A dog that loves its owners deserve/deserves a reward.
Such clauses can be easily People who listen to that kind of music is/are few.
identified as they are The restaurant menu, which contains several items, allow/allows us
introduced by relative variety.
pronouns By who, which, that.
A dog that loves its owners deserves a reward.
People who listen to that kind of music is few.
Mentally cross out the The restaurant menu, which contains several items, allow/allows us variety
interrupting
word/words, so that
you can identify the
subject.
 Subjects Complicated by Other words and Phrases that come in Between
the Subject and its Verb

3. Tag on Expressions The team captain, as well as his players, is/ are anxious about the outcome.

With, together with,

including, accompanied The President, accompanied by his wife, is/are traveling to India.
by, in addition to, as well
These students, along with their teacher, want/wants to go on a field trip.
as or together with
Srinivas Ramanujan, one of the most prominent Mathematicians, is/are
Popularly known as ‘the man who knew infinity’.
Hints
Mentally cross out the
Answers
interrupting word/words, so
that you can identify the The team captain, as well as his players, is anxious about the outcome.
subject.
The President, accompanied by his wife, is traveling to India.
These students, along with their teacher, want to go on a field trip.

Srinivas Ramanujan, one of the most prominent Mathematicians, is

Popularly known as ‘the man who knew infinity’.
 Compound Subjects
When two or more nouns/ pronouns are connected by ‘and’, ‘or’ and correlative conjunctions such as both… and,
either….or, neither….nor A compound subject contains two or simple subjects that have the same verb.

Compound subjects joined by and both….and are generally plural

1. Joined by ‘and’
A compound subject
comprising two or more
nouns/pronouns connected
by ‘and’ is plural and takes a
plural verb. 0r Both…and
Riya and her friend is/ are participating in the debate competition.
Time and tide wait/ waits for none
Her business acumen and smart personality has/ have contributed to her successful
management career.
Carrots, broccoli, and spinach is/ are available in plenty during winters.
Both her father and her husband want/ wants her to pursue. her higher education.

Answers :
Riya and her friend are participating in the debate competition.
Time and tide wait for none.
Her business acumen and smart personality have contributed to her successful management career.
Carrots, broccoli and Spinach are available in plenty during winters.
Both her father and her husband want her to pursue her further studies.
 Compound subjects joined by and,
both….and are generally plural But
• Exceptions
His best friend and advisor live/ lives in Delhi, whereas he lives in Mumbai
If the words that make
up the subject refer to Cornflakes and milk is/ are our Sunday breakfast.
the same person or thing, Peace and harmony is/ are very important for domestic life.
or to synonymous ideas,
the subject is SINGULAR Ans: His best friend and advisor lives in Delhi, whereas he lives in Mumbai.
Cornflakes and milk is our Sunday breakfast.
Peace and harmony is very important for domestic life.
When a compound
subject joined by and is
Every student and teacher has/have to wear a uniform.
preceded by each or
every, a singular verb is In this garden , each tree, shrub and vine need/ needs to be trimmed.
used.
Ans:
Every student and teacher has to wear a uniform.

In this garden , each tree, shrub and vine needs to be trimmed.

 A compound subject joined by ‘or’ / some
typical correlative conjunction pairs
Pick the correct underlined word from the following options
Joined by ‘or’
Astha or her sister is/are no match for Ruhani in singing.

Hint : The verb agrees My dairy or books is/ are kept in the cupboard.
with the subject part
nearer to it. Whether the
subject comes or after the
verb doesn’t matter; the Astha or her sister is no match for Ruhani in singing.
proximity determines the
number. My dairy or books are kept in the cupboard.
If nearest subject is
singular chose a singular Either….or Neither ….nor Not only…..but also
verb or else plural verb if
Either the man or his Neither the twins nor Not only milk but also
the nearest subject is
know/knows the truth Richa is/are good in eggs are/ is a good
plural. Same rule applies Of the matter. Studies. Source of protiens in diet.
to subjects joined by other
conjunctions. Either the man or his Neither the twins nor Not only milk but also
knows the truth Richa is good in eggs are a good
Of the matter. Studies. Source of proteins in diet.
 To be and other linking verbs
The case of linking verb in Subject Verb Agreement
Linking Verb
Linking verbs
Subject
such as ‘to be’ Complement
(is, are, was,
were, seem, An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
look, appear The worst pest that can infest one’s house and spoil the furniture and fittings is termites.
And others are
followed by a Termites are the worst pest that can infest one’s house.
complement)
Riya’s favourite dessert is/are chocolate muffins.
A linking verb
Her children is/are her pride. The problem is/are the spiraling cost.
agrees with its
subject not its The secret of the recipe is/are the diced onions.
complement.
In general verbs The issue relate/relates to globalization
agree with their
subject regardless of Riya’s favourite dessert is chocolate muffins.
what follows. Her children are her pride. The problem is the spiraling cost.
The secret of the recipe is the diced onions.
 The Subject Comes After The Verb
Hints and Tips Is/ Are the books in the library?
Sentences that ask Do/ Does the employees consent to the terms in the contract?
questions:
Where is/are the grumpy dog and his master?

Turn the sentence The books are in the library.

into a statement.
The employees do consent to the terms in the contract.
The grumpy dog and his master are in the room.

Sentences/Clauses that begin Here is/ are some tips to help you with the Subject Verb Agreement error.
with ‘here’ or ‘there’
All of a sudden, here come/comes the minister and his associates.

Turn the sentence around There go/goes my brand new purse into the drain.

Some tips are here to help you with the Subject Verb Agreement error.

All of a sudden, the minister and his associates come ‘to that place. ‘

Alas! my brand new purse goes into the drain.

 The Subject Comes After The Verb
Hints and Tips
When a prepositional
phrase, comes in the On the wall was/were several paintings.
beginning of a
sentence then the
subject follows the In the center of the museum stand/stands three huge sculptures.
verb.
What is on the wall? Several paintings. The plural subjects verb were
agrees with the plural subject Several paintings.
If the sentence begins
with a prepositional
phrase, ask Who? Or Several paintings were On the wall.
What Is doing the
action. Three huge sculptures stand in the center of the museum.
Turn the sentences
around to know the
Correct form of the What stands in the center of the museum? Three huge sculptures. The
verb. plural verb stand agrees with plural subject three sculptures.

Collective nouns are nouns which denote a group or collection of people or things.
Hints and Tips
A few collective nouns such
as police, people, gentry,
cattle, poultry,
etc are always PLURAL
Most Collective Nouns can
be Singular or Plural
depending on the context
The Jury is/are about to give
their/its verdict.
The Jury is/are taking their seats.
The Jury is about to give its
verdict.
Collective Nouns As Subjects
Words such as
audience, committee,
FOR EXAMPLE: These poultry are ready for sale. police, crew, family,
She’s happy with the way the police faculty, government
have handled the case. group and team
The cattle are grazing near the canal.
When the constituent members act as one unit – a single entity, Collective Nouns
are treated as SINGULAR. But if we are referring to individuals within the group the
Collective Noun is PLURAL.
The committee has/have to submit its
The team pratice/practices well report by next week.
before every match.
The committee was/were not in the
The team is/are arguing over who agreement on the action to be taken
should be the captain.
The team practices well before every The committee has to submit its
match. report by next week.

The Jury are taking their seats. The committee were not in the
The team are arguing over who agreement on the action to be taken.
should be the captain.
 Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
Tips and Hints A pronoun that does not refer to a specific person, place or thing

Each Either Neither Much One has reached already, another is on the way.
Always One Another Neither is eligible for the course.
SINGULAR Nobody Anybody Everybody Somebody Everyone is required to clear his or her dues.
No-one Anyone Everyone Someone Someone has to be responsible.
Nothing Anything Everything Something Nobody knows the trouble I have seen.

A word of Caution…
Don’t be confused by the phrases that come in between the subject with which the verb agrees in number

Each of these fruits is juicy.
Each of the plants in this nursery is of an excellent breed.
Everyone in this office is invited for the party.
Neither of these choices appears to be satisfactory.
One of our managers is preparing the budget.
Exceptions
If a parenthertical each follows a plural noun or
pronoun, the verb should be plural.
The members each know their responsibility.
They each have their own problems
Ten each of these books are required.
 But Other Indefinite Pronoun
Hints and Tips
Both Few Fewer Many Other Others Several
Indefinite
Pronouns
The man has two dogs. Both are very amicable animals.
that are
Many have responded to the invitation for this weekend’s party.
always Plural
A few are not coming at all.
Several indicate that they might be late.

All None Any Some More Most

SINGULAR or
PLURAL Depending on what they refer to (which is also the object of the preposition that
sometimes follow the indefinite pronouns)

None of the food is fresh.

None of the cookies are left.
Some of the furniture seems to be out of fashion.
Beware, some of the rocks are slippery.
All of the typing has been finished
Most of the goods have been sold out.
 Three rules for phrases ‘One of’/ ‘the only one’
Hints and Tips
One of our managers is/ are preparing the
One of you is/ are telling the truth.
The phrase one and project presentation.
one of the take a
One of you is telling the truth. One of our managers is preparing the project
singular verb.
presentation.

The phrases one of One of the things that drive/ drives students nuts is Subject Verb Agreement.
those who and one of
the things that take Harish is one of those students who has/have brought laurels to our institute.
plural verbs.
One of the things (that drive/ drives students nuts) is Subject Verb Agreement.

Harish is one of those students (who has/have brought laurels to our institute.)

When the words the

only precede these one Vishal is the only one of our students who has/ have received the scholarship.
of phrases, however,
they take a singular
verb Vishal is the only one of our students(who has/ received the scholarship.)
 Special Cases: Other Subjects
Hints and Tips
Titles of works (books, magazines, movies etc.)
Company names and gerund phrases are SINGULAR.
The name of the country or its government is also singular.

‘The Expendables’ is a movie about a group of aged mercenaries with a mission.

The ‘Times of India’ still has wide circulation.
The Coca Cola Company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The United States of America has a congressional system.
Sleeping is my favourite pastime.

Nouns that express amounts of time, money, distance etc, are singular.

•Twenty minutes of exercise everyday keeps a person fit.

•Three years seems too long a time to wait.
•Yes, five meters is ample for a suit.
•Eight hundred dollars is more than I can afford.
Note: The word dollars is a speciall case. When talking about an amount of money, it
requires a singular verb, but when referring to dollars themselves, a plural verb is required
A hundred dollars is a lot of money.
Dollars are often used instead of rubles in Russia.
 Special cases: Fractional Expression
Hints and Tips
For Fractions ( 3/4 ) Percentage (%) and other parts of a whole the verb agrees
with the object of the preposition that follows the subject.
Such as: A majority of, one half of, two-fifths of, forty percent of
For Example:
One third of the voters have cast their ballots.
Half of the grain was ruined due to untimely rain.
Forty percent of the newspaper is devoted to advertisement.
Eighty percent of the buildings were destroyed in the inferno.
A majority of the student body is in favour of relaxed attendance norms.

The phrase ‘the number of’ takes a SINGULAR verb while the phrase ‘a number
of takes’ a PLURAL verb.

For Example:
The number of the mistakes in this report is alarming.
The number of patients suffering from dengue and malaria increases every year.
A number of errors were identified in the report.
A number of our staff are going on leave.
A majority of the student body is in favour of relaxed attendance norms.
 Special cases
Hints and Tips
Sums and products of For Example:
mathematical More than one student has failed this time.
processes are Two and two is four.
expressed as Five times four divided by two is ten.
SINGULAR and
require singular
verbs as the
expression more For Example:
than one. The politician and poet has departed from the city.
The accountant and cashier is absconding.
When two
Singular Nouns
refer to the same Note: If the Article is used only once, the two Nouns refer to the same person ; in this
person or thing, case the Verb used is singular, but if the Article is mentioned twice then the
the Verb must be two Nouns refer to two different persons; in this case, the Verb used is plural; as,
singular; as :. The politician and the poet have departed from the city, (two different persons)
The accountant and cashier is absconding, (one person)
 That’s All Folks

Thank You