GRAMMATHON

BY- SUMAN SHARMA

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT - 1
WHAT IS SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT?
Subject-verb agreement just means using
the right version of the verb to agree with
the subject. If the subject is a singular noun,
or the pronoun he, she or it, you need a
singular verb.
 She shares her books with her friends.
 She enjoys music.
 The zookeeper is feeding the animals.

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RULE OF USING VERB ACCORDING
TO SUBJECT
RULE – 1
A singular subject goes with a singular verb.

RULE – 2
A plural subject goes with a plural verb 2
EXAMPLES:
 The stars shine brightly on a clear night.
 Mom and Dad love us a lot.
 Do you all know the words?
 We have finished our game of tennis.
 They have both worked very hard.
 The children are playing on the swings.
 The earth moves round the sun.
 Dad always drives to work.

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COLLECTIVE NOUNS

Collective nouns may be used with either singular or plural verbs. If

the group members are all acting together as one, use a singular
verb. If the members of the group are acting as individuals, use a
plural verb.

 The audience are laughing.

 The band is playing.

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 Some plural nouns, such as people, cattle, police, don’t end
with -s. Always use a plural verb with these nouns.
 People like to be praised.
 The cattle are in the field.
 The police have caught the thief.
 Singular
 That family has moved to Texas.
 The team is coached by Mr. Clark.
 Plural
 The family were giving their opinions.
 The team are sharing new ideas.

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Fill in the blanks with verbs that match the subjects. Use the correct
form of the simple present tense of the verbs in parentheses.
1. I always …….. to school with my brother. (go)
2. Mark always …….to school with his brother. (go)
3. You ……… the answer. Luis …….. the answer, too. (know)
4. This book ……... very few drawings. (have)
5. These books ……….. lots of beautiful drawings. (have)
6. Anne ……….. my sister. (be)
7. Pat and Alice ……… good at English. (be)
8. A tiger ……... (roar)
9. All birds ……. eggs. (lay)
10. Dad ……… listening to music. (like)
11. Uncle Bob ……... his car every day. (wash)
12. She ……….. all the answers. (know)
13. There ……….. twelve months in a year. (be)
14. The twins often ………(fight) 6
15. Our parents …….. us. (love)
EVERYBODY / ANYBODY / SOMEBODY / NOBODY
EVERYONE / ANYONE / SOMEONE / NO ONE

These are singular. Hence they will take singular verb, singular
noun and singular pronoun.
 “Everyone has problems.”
 “I don’t know if anybody is in the office right now.”
 “How do you react if someone gives you a compliment?”
 “Nobody likes the new English teacher.”

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BOTH OF / A FEW OF / MANY / SEVERAL

These words always take the plural form of the verb.

 “Both of my brothers are older than me.”
 “A few of these products have defects.”
 “Many of the houses in this neighborhood don’t have garages.”
 “Several of the students aren’t going to pass.”
NOTE :
Many is used in following ways:
 Many man (singular noun) has (singular verb) come.
 Many men (plural noun) have (plural verb) come. 8
 A great/ A good many men (plural noun) have (plural verb) come.
HALF OF / A THIRD OF / 40% OF / SOME / MOST

These words can be singular OR plural depending on what follows

them.

 “Half of the students are from another country.”

 “Half of the class is from another country.”
 “Some of these facts are incorrect.”
 “Some of this information is incorrect.”
 “40% of the people don’t support the new law.”
 “40% of the country doesn’t support the new law.”
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IS “DATA” SINGULAR OR PLURAL?

There is a debate about the word “data”! Technically, data is

plural (the singular form is “datum”). However, in common
usage, people often treat “data” like “information” – as an
uncountable noun, which takes the singular form.
So both forms are correct:
“The data is accurate” and “The data are accurate.”

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EXERCISE
1. _______ anyone ________ a pencil I could borrow?
a) Do / have
b) Does / have
2. No one _____ finished reading the book yet.
a) has
b) Have
3. Hurry up! Everyone ____ waiting for you to get here.
a) Are
b) Is 11
4. No, my family ________ live nearby.
a) Doesn’t
b) Don’t
5. Our swimming club ______ going to compete on Saturday.
a) Are
b) Is
6. The police officer _____ talking to the parents of the missing child.
a) Doesn’t
b) Don’t
7. The police _______ released any information about the case.
a) hasn't
b) haven't
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8. Most women _______ getting flowers.
a) love
b) loves
9. Some of the people waiting in line ______ getting impatient.
a) Are
b) Is
10. Both of you _______ the rules.
a) know
b) knows
11. Several of my teeth ______ cavities.
a) has
b) have
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12. Most of this software _____ outdated.
a) Are
b) Is
13. Some of the children _______ have cell phones.
a) Doesn’t
b) Don’t
14. Almost all of the water _____ contaminated.
a) Are
b) Is
15. The mob ______ gathered quickly.
a) has
b) have
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“ “Focus more on your desire
than on your doubt, and the
dream will take care of itself.”
― Mark Twain

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