Session: 2023-24 SUBJECT-VERB CONCORD Date:

Grade: VIII Practice worksheet Subject: English

What Is Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord)?

A basic sentence requires two parts: a subject and a verb.

To construct a proper sentence, the subject and verb must agree. Subject and verb agreement is a
form of matching used in grammar. Plural subjects need plural verbs, while singular subjects need
singular verbs. For example:

For example: One bird eats, but two birds eat.

Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural
subject takes a plural verb.

Exceptions to the Basic rule:

a. The first-person pronoun I mostly takes a plural verb (I go, I drive).
b. The Second person pronoun- ‘You’ always take a plural verb.

HERE ARE SOME SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT RULES:

RULE 1: When two subjects are joined by ‘and’, the verb is plural.
For example:1. Simar and Suhana are sisters.
2. Rohan and his brothers play football every day.

RULE 2: When two singular nouns joined by ‘and’ refer to the same person or thing, the verb is
singular.
For example:1. The singer and dancer is performing.
2. Bread and butter is essential for one’s life.

(If two subjects together express one idea, the verb is in the singular form and if they express two
different ideas-plural!)

RULE 3: Indefinite pronouns (everyone, each one, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, anyone,
anybody, etc.) are always singular.

For example:1. Everyone is required to attend the next lecture.

2. Nobody knew where he went.
 • This rule does not apply to: few, many, several, both. These always act as plurals.
For example:1. Both of them are eligible for this job.
2. Many of our young people go to larger cities to find work

Pronouns like ‘all, more, none and some’ can be either singular or plural. They take their meaning
from the word to which they refer.
• If an uncountable noun accompanies them, the verb is singular.
For example: Some milk is spoilt.

• If a countable noun accompanies them, the verb is always plural.

For example: Some men are needed for the battle.

RULE 4: When the subjects joined by ‘either or’ or ‘neither nor’ are of different persons, the verb will
agree in person and number with the noun nearest to it.
For example:1. Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
2. Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.

RULE 5: When the subject is a unit of measurement of time, distance, money, weight, etc. The unit is
considered singular, and SINGULAR VERB is used. (Except when intended to talk about money as
currency)
For example:1. Three miles is too far to walk.
2. Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
3. Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
BUT
Ten dollars were scattered on the floor.
RULE 6: When sentences start with "there" or "here," the subject will always be placed after the
verb.
For example:1. There are four hurdles in the race.
2. There is a high hurdle in the race.

RULE 7: Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but that are considered
singular and take a singular verb. (Such as: group, team, committee, class, and family.) unless the
clear intention is to talk about the member of that group.
For example:1. My family has been supporting me throughout my journey.
2. The committee is confused about the case.
3. The class works on their homework.

RULE 8: Certain nouns are considered SINGULAR despite their plural form. This is also true about
name of subjects, country and books. (such as athletics, economics, measles and news)
For example:1. The latest news is alarming.
2. Statistics is among the most difficult courses in our program
3. Mathematics is my favourite subject.

➢ The following words are always plural: glasses. pants, trousers, pliers, scissors, tongs etc.
➢ HOWEVER, if the word PAIR is used, the verb is singular.
For example: 1. The pants are torn.
2. The pair of scissors was placed on the table.
 RULE 9: Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees
with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.

For example:1. High levels of pollution cause damage to the respiratory tract
(The subject is levels, NOT pollution)
2. One of the boys was held responsible for the entire damage.

RULE 10: Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as along with, as well as,
besides, together with, no less than, accompanied by, etc. These words and phrases are not part of
the subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.

For example:1. The team captain, as well as his players, is anxious.

2. The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
3. Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

❖ FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH A VERB THAT AGREES WITH THE SUBJECT.
1. That woman ____________vegetables.
A. sell B. selling C. sells D. have sold
2. Neither Rishi nor Rhea ___________ helpful.
A. were B. was C. are D. have been
3. A series of seminars ___________ conducted last month.
A. was B. were C. is D. have
4. Some of the bread ___ mouldy.
A. were B. has C. have D. is
5. My glasses ____________ nowhere to be found.
A. is B. are C. have D. has
6. The Unites States of America________investing in public sector these days.
A. is B. are C. have D. has
7. Either you or Ivan _________ to clean the room.
A. needs B. need C. have D. needed
8. The chances of you being promoted ___________ excellent.
A. was B. are C. have D. is
9. Neither the photographer nor his companions ___________ ever seen again.
A. was B. were C. are D. have
 10. The horse and the carriage ______ ready.
A. is B. are C. have D. has
11. Everything _________for a reason. (a Quote)
A. happen B. happening C. happened D. has
12. Here ______the keys.
A. is B. are C. have D. has
13. Our last two dollars ___________ on the table.
A. is B. are C. have D. has
14. Our research ________the same interesting results.
A. show B. showing C. shows D. have
15. Five Lakhs ________ a lot of money.
A. has B. are C. have D. is
16. There _________ always a twist in all his stories.
A. are B. have C. is D. has
17. Believe in yourself. You _____ better than what you think.
A. has B. are C. have D. is
18. None of the cake ____ left for dessert.
19. All means of communication ____________ shut down.
A. was B. has C. have D. is
20. Few student___________ present in the class today, (is, are)
A. are B. have C. is D. has
21. Five hundred feet above sea level is not a great height.
A. are B. have C. is D. has
22. A pair of shoes was bought by him.
A. was B. have C. were D. are
23. A lot of people _________the exhibition.
A. visiting B. visit C. has visited D. visits
24. Most of my friends__________ government employees.
A. are B. have C. is D. has
25. Twenty years ____________ a long time.
A. are B. have C. is D. has

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