Subject Verb Agreement

The subject and verb must agree in number.

Singular subject takes singular verb and Plural Subject takes Plural verb.

Example -

Ram is going to school.

Ram and Shyam are going to school. (Two or more subjects joined by “and” will always take plural verb)

Concept 1 Be careful of sub-ordinate clauses.

Example – The subject of English, difficult for many students, is a matter of practice.

The noun closest to the verb is plural but the subject of the sentence which is doing the action highlighted by
the verb is “subject of English”.

Another Example – The cricketer, who many believe to be one of the best batsmen and is also a handy
bowler, has retired.

The noun here is just “cricketer” and not the clause after that.

Concept 2 – Extension of Concept 1

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When two subjects are joined with “along with”, “as well as”, “including”, “with”, the 1 subject decides the
verb. Theses words here make a sub-ordinate clause as per Concept 1.

Example – The cricketers, including the captain, are getting fined.

(Not “is getting fined as the subject is “cricketers”)

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In this case, if there is a pronoun usage subsequently, it has to be for the 1 subject.

Example - The cricketers, including the captain, are getting fined as they did not play well.

Concept 3 – Either X or Y, Not Only X but also Y, Neither X nor Y

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In these cases, the 2 subject decides the verb.

Example – Neither the Employees nor the leader is leaving the office tonight

Concept 4 (Tricky!) – A group of individuals defined as a unit – Team, Committee, Company, audience

This depends on context. If the reference is to a single entity, use singular verbs and singular pronouns.

If the reference is to individuals of the entity, use plural verbs and plural pronouns.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Example – The company is shutting down. (As individuals can’t shut down, it hasto be a unit)

Another Example – The company’s growth can be attributed to the hard work they do. (not “it does” as a
company, which is a non living entity can’t do hard work)

Concept 5 – The number vs. a number

The number takes singular verb (as we are talking of a specific number)

A number takes plural as we are talking of many.

Example – The number of students in class is less than 50.

Example – A number of students are in class today.

Concept 6 – Fractions and Quantities

Depends on the subject we are describing.

Example - Half of the milk is over.

Example - Half of the employees are on leave.

Concept 7 – Having a clause as a subject

Having an entire clause as a subject is always singular (unless we have two clauses joined with “and”)

Eating pizzas is unhealthy (not “are” unhealthy)

Eating Pizzas and smoking cigarette are unhealthy (not is)

Concept 8 – Some, Any, None, All, Most (Pronouns)

Similar to Concept 6. Depends on the subject / context.

Some of the money is lost. / Any of these pens would write well.

Concept 9 – Watch out for the subject! (It can come after the verb too)

Under the table sit three cats. (not sits three cats)