Subject Verb Agreement

or Syntax 6
Singular Verb Singular Pronoun Plural Verb
1. The boy has done his work himself. 3. The boys come daily
Singular Noun Singular Adjective Plural Noun
Singular Verb

2. The boy comes daily

Singular Noun

In the 1st sentence we can see that the agreement is not only between subject
and verb but also among all the Parts of Speech. This is called Syntax. (वाक्य 1 में
हम दे ख सकते हैं कक Agreement ससर्फ Subject एवं Verb के बीच ही ससर्फ नहीं होता बल्कक सभी Parts
of Speech के बीच होता है । इस ननयम को Syntax कहते हैं।)
The rules that govern the ways in which words or elements
Syntax combine to form a Phrase, Clause or a Sentence is called Syntax.
(वह ननयम जो यह तय करता है कक ककस प्रकार शब्द जुड़ कर एक Phrase, Clause या
वाक्य बनाता है Syntax कहलाता है ।)

KD LIVE 1 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement

• The 'Verb' follows the 'main subject'. It is easier if we remember that the verb
follows the subject preceding 'of'. (Verb हमेशा उस Subject को follow करे गा, ल्जसके
सलए verb का प्रयोग हो रहा है । इसके सलए याद रखें 'of' से पहले वाला 'Noun' Subject होता है ।)
1. The various consequences of(1)/ the decision taken by the (2)/ Finance
Ministry was not foreseen by the bureaucrats. (3)/ No error (4)
(SSC Section Officer (Audit) Exam. 1997)
2. The introduction of job-oriented courses (1)/in the self-financing colleges
(2)/ attract many students (3)./ No error (4)
(SSC Section Officer (Audit), Exam. 14.12.2003)
3. Knowledge of (1)/ at least two languages (2)/ are required to pass the
examination (3)/. No error (4).
(SSC Tax Assistant (Income Tax & Central Excise) Exam. 12.11.2006)

4. A variety of pleasant items in the shop (1)/ attract (2)/ everybody. (3)/ No
error (4).
(SSC Tax Assistant (Income Tax & Central Excise) Exam. 29.03.2009)

5. The strain of all (1)/ the difficulties and vexations and anxieties (2)/ are
more than he could bear. (3)/No error (4)
(SSC Section Officer (Commercial Audit) Exam. 30.09.2007 (Second Sitting)

KD LIVE 2 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement

 Answers
1. (3) Replace ‘was’ with ‘were’ because here the main subject (The various
consequences) is plural.
2. (3) Replace ‘attract’ with ‘attracts’. Here the main subject is singular
(introduction) hence it will take singular verb.
3. (3) Replace ‘are’ with ‘is’ because here the main subject is knowledge which is
an uncountable noun so it will take singular verb.
4. (2) ‘Attract’ is correct because the subject ‘A variety of’/ ‘a vast variety of’ is
plural so it will take plural verb.
5. (3) Replace ‘are’ with ‘was’.
Here the main subject is ‘strain’ which is singular, so the verb should also
be singular. The sentence is in past (see ‘could’).
• The Verb may be far away from its subject. Do not forget to check if the
verb agrees to its subject. (Verb अपने Subject से बहुत दरू हो सकता है । Verb को उसके
सही Subject के अनुसार प्रयुक्त करें ।)
1. Flowers (1)/that are just picked (2)/begins to rot in 15 seconds. (3)/ No
Error (4)
(SSC Multi-Tasking Staff Exam. 17.03.2013, IInd Sitting)

2. Most of the members at the meeting felt (1)/ that the group appointed to
investigate the case (2)/ were not competent to do the job efficiently. (3)/
No error (4)
(SSC CGL Tier-II Exam.12.04.2015, Kolkata Region, TF No. 315 RI 3)

3. Organizing World Cup matches in England imply that rains can be a

constant threat.
(1) be a constant threat. (2) in England imply
(3) that rains can be (4) Organizing World Cup matches
CGL MAINS 2018, 12 September, 2019

KD LIVE 3 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement

 Answers
1. (3) Replace ‘begins’ with ‘begin’.
A Plural subject always agrees with Plural verb.
2. (3) Replace ‘were’ with ‘was’ because ‘group’ is a Collective Noun and
Collective Noun takes singular verb with it.
3. (2) Replace 'imply (Plural)' with 'implies (Singular Verb)'. Organizing world
cup is a singular noun.

See the examples of inversion too

• Verb may preceed the Subject that it agrees to. This is a case of Inversion.
(Verb अपने Subject से पहले भी प्रयुक्त हो सकता है । ये Inversion का Case है ।)
1. Along the northern frontier of India is the Himalayas.
2. The tiger is not the only cause of concern. There is hyenas too.
3. Twenty miles beyond the LOC was seen a few terrorists.
4. Just outside my house are a playground for school boys and girls.
(1) Just outside my house (2) are a playground
(3) No error (4) for school boys and girls
(SSC CGL Tier-I Exam, 16.08.2015 (Ist Sitting) TF No. 3196279)

KD LIVE 4 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement

 Answers
1. Change 'is' into 'are' 'Himalayas' is Plural Noun.
2. Hyenas (लकड़बग्घे) is Plural Noun and hence it will take Plural Verb.
3. Change 'was seen' into 'were seen'. 'A few terrorists' is Plural and hence will
take Plural Verb.
4. (2) Replace ‘are’ with ‘is’ because here subject (the playground) is singular.
A singular subject always takes Singular Verb.
• When two subjects are joined by 'and', Plural Verb follows. (अगर दो Subjects
को and से जोड़ा जाए तो Plural Verb का प्रयोग होता है ।)
1. Ram and Shyam are coming.
2. Bread and Butter are sold in this grocery shop.
If two Subjects are joined by 'and', Plural Verb follows but if both Nouns/
Adjectives indicate the same person, thing or idea, Singular verb follows. (दो
Subject को and से जोड़ा जाए तो Plural verb आता है , लेककन अगर वह व्यल्क्त, वस्तु या आइडिया को
संबोधित करे तो Singular verb का प्रयोग होगा।) Answers
1. Bread and butter is my daily breakfast. 1. Here 'bread and butter' is a single
dish.

Note the following examples too. They take Singular verb as they
Note:-
denote the same person, thing or idea. (ऐसे कुछ अन्य pairs भी है जो
Singular verb होते हैं क्योंकक वो एक ही व्यल्क्त, वस्तु या idea को संबोधित करते हैं।)
1. Slow and steady wins the race.
2. My friend, philosopher and guide has come.
3. Fish and chips is my favourite dish. Answers
In sentences 4 and 5 'verb' is
Note:- 4. Two and two make four. plural as the subjects joined by
5. Time and tide wait for no
'and' are two different things.
man.
6. The sum and substance of this poem is as follows.
(1) of this poem
(SSC CGL Tier-I Exam, 09.08.2015 (IInd Sitting) TF No. 4239378)
(2) No error
(3) The sum and substance
Answers 6. (2) No error
(4) is as follows

KD LIVE 5 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement

 More Pairs that take Singular Verb
1. Lime and Soda 9. Peace and Prosperity
2. Sum and Substance (ननचोड़) 10. Destruction and Devastation (ववध्वंस)
3. Part and Parcel (असभन्न अंग) 11. Honour and Glory (सम्मान, भव्यता)
4. Fun and Frolic (मजे) 12. Power and Influence
5. Science and Technology 13. Horse and Carriage (तांगा)
6. Art and Culture 14. Slow and Steady
7. Trade and Commerce 15. Ebb and flow
8. Peace and Harmony 16. Drinking and driving

Eg:- Peace and harmony leads to prosperity

• Knowledge and Wisdom will take Plural Verb. Similar case is

Note:- with Poverty and Misery. Here the two Nouns are two
different things hence they will take Plural verb.

3. The ebb and flow of the tides (1)/ are (2)/ now understood (3)/. No error (4)
(SSC Section Officer (Commercial Audit) Exam. 25.09.2005)

4. Time and tide (1)/ wait (2)/ for no man. (3)/ No error (4)
(SSC Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Exam. 16.10.2011)

5. Drinking and driving(1)/ are(2)/ a major cause of accidents.(3)/ No error.(4)

(SSC CPO (SI, ASI & Intelligence Officer Exam. Paper-II 28.08.2011)
6. Short stories and poems (1)/of varying quality (2)/appears in dailies and
periodicals (3)/. No error (4) (SSC Constable (GD) Exam. 12.05.2013, Ist Sitting)

KD LIVE 6 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement

 Answers

3. (2) Replace ‘are’ with ‘is’.

If ‘two’ or more than two Nouns or Adjectives are joined by ‘and’
but only Person or thing or idea is discussed, singular verb is used.
Here ‘ebb and flow’ is considered as singular subject.
4. (4) No error.
Here two subjects ‘time’ and ‘tide’ are joined by ‘and’ and both
mean two different things, hence plural verb follows.
5. (2) Replace ‘are’ with ‘is’.
If two or more than two nouns are joined by ‘and’ but only one
thing or idea is discussed, it takes singular verb. Here the action is
singular as a whole which means driving while drunk.
6. (3) Replace ‘appears’ with ‘appear’ because short stories and poems are
joined by ‘and’ are Plural. Plural verb will follow.

KD LIVE 7 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement

• See the examples given below. Article before the 1st subject only indicates
that there is only one Subject addressed by two or more than two nouns. If
there is no Article and a Possessive Adjective comes before the 1st Subject,
the Subject is singular. Hence Singular Verb, Singular Adjective and
Singular Pronoun will follow.
(नीचे ददए गये उदाहरण को दे खें। अगर ससर्फ 1st subject के पहले Article का प्रयोग हो तो इसका
अर्फ है एक ही Subject है ल्जसे दो या दो से अधिक Noun के द्वारा सम्बोधित ककया जा रहा है । अगर
कोई Article का प्रयोग ना हो और Possessive Adjective का प्रयोग 1st Subject के पहले हो तो
भी Subject Singular है अतः Singular Verb, Singular Adjective एवं Singular
Pronoun का प्रयोग होगा।)
• If the Article comes before all the subjects, it means there are two or more
than two individual person or things. Hence Plural Verb, Plural Adjective
and Plural Pronoun follow.
(अगर Article सभी subjects के पहले आए तो इसका अर्फ होगा दो या दो से अधिक व्यल्क्त या वस्त।ु
अतः Plural Verb, Plural Adjective एवं Plural Pronoun का प्रयोग होगा।)
1. The Secretary and the Principal of the college (1)/ are attending (2)/ the
District Development Council Meeting at the Collectorate (3)/. No error (4).
(SSC Tax Assistant (Income Tax & Central Excise) Exam. 12.11.2006)
2. A hot and (1)/ a cold spring (2)/ was found near each other (3)/ No error. (4)
(SSC Section Officer (Audit) Exam. 10.12.2006)
3. The Principal and staff (1)/ are waiting for (2)/ the chief guest. (3)/ No
error (4).
(SSC Higher Secondary Level Data Entry Operator & LDC Exam. 27.11.2010)

4. The artist and writer (1)/ has (2)/ died. (3)/ No error (4)
(SSC (10+2) Level Data Entry Operator & LDC Exam. 28.10.2012 (1st Sitting)
5. The trustee and principal are at loggerheads.

KD LIVE 8 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement

 Answers
1. (4) No error.
2. (3) Replace ‘was’ with ‘were’.
If two different subjects are joined by ‘and’, Plural verb is used. Here
Article has come before both the subject. This indicates that there
are two subjects.
3. (1) Add article ‘the’ before the word ‘staff’.
4. (4) No error
5. At loggerheads means 'at conflict (टकराव)' and to be at loggerheads you
need someone else. Hence principal is a separate identity. Add 'the' before
'Principal'.

KD LIVE 9 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement

• Sometimes the two Subjects cannot be the same. In such a case the verb is
plural but Article decides whether the Noun will be Singular or Plural.
(कभी-कभी दोनों Subjects एक हो ही नहीं सकते। ऐसे में Verb Plural प्रयक्
ु त होगा लेककन Article
तय करे गा कक Noun Singular होगा या Plural.)

1. The first and the second row are reserved. (Article twice → Noun Singular)
Singular Noun
2. The first and second rows are reserved. (Article once, Noun Plural)
Plural Noun
• If two Subjects are joined by using the following, the Verb follows the 1st
Subject. (अगर ननम्नसलखखत शब्दों के द्वारा दो Subjects को जोड़ा जाए तो Verb 1st Subject
के अनुसार प्रयुक्त होगा।)

With Unlike Like Except/ but

Together with Nothing but Besides

Along with As well as Rather than

And not Accompanied by In addition to

1. The Prime Minister along with his Cabinet colleagues (1)/ have been
welcomed by the Chief Minister (2)/at a formal ceremony. (3)/No error. (4)
(SSC CPO (SI, ASI & Intelligence Officer Exam. 28.08.2011 (Paper-I)

2. He as well as (1)/ you like (2)/ to go.(3)/ No error (4)

(SSC (10+2) Level Data Entry Operator & LDC Exam. 04.12.2011 (Ist Sitting (North Zone)
3. The captain along with his team (1)/ are practising very hard (2)/ for the
forthcoming match. (3)/ No error. (4)
(SSC (10+2) Level Data Entry Operator & LDC Exam. 04.12.2011 (Ist Sitting (East Zone)

4. The teacher as well as the students (1) have gone on an excursion (2)/ to
Ooty during their summer vacation. (3)/ No Error. (4)
(SSC Graduate Level Tier-I Exam. 21.04.2013)

5. The leader (1)/ with all his followers (2)/ are send to prison. (3)/ No Error(4)
(SSC CPO (SI, ASI & Intelligence Officer Exam. 28.08.2011 (Paper-I)
6. Mr. Gupta with his wife (1)/ and younger brother (2)/ were present at the
station. (3)/ No Error (4)
SSC (CPO) Pre- 2017, 2 July, 2018 Morning

KD LIVE 10 Class Notes : Subject Verb Agreement