AGREEMENT OF VERB
WITH SUBJECT
Explanation By – RGS Sir
Subject-verb agreement is one of the first things you learn in
English class:
“My friend is Japanese.” (singular)
“My friends are Japanese.” (plural)
In this video, you‟re going to learn a few more advanced cases
of subject-verb agreement that confuse many learners.
RULE 1
When two subjects are joined by „and‟, the verb is
plural.
For example:
My friend and his mother are in town.
RULE 2
When two singular nouns joined by „and‟ refer to the same person or
thing, the verb is singular.
For example: The captain and coach of the team has been sacked.
In case these were two different individuals, two articles need to be used:
The captain and the coach of the team have been sacked.
RULE 3
Indefinite pronouns (everyone, each one, someone, somebody, no one,
nobody, anyone, anybody etc.) are always singular.
For example: Everyone is selfish.
We do not use 'are' in this sentence.
This rule does not apply to: few, many, several, both, all, some.
RULE 4
When the percentage or a part of something is mentioned with
plural meaning the plural verb is used.
For example: 40 of every 100 children are malnourished.
RULE 5
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: Neither you nor your dogs know how to behave.
Either of the books is fine for MAT preparation.
Always remember that, when either and neither are used as pronouns,
they are treated as singular and always take the singular verb.
RULE 6
If connectives/appositives like along with, together with, as well as,
accompanied by etc. are used to combine two subjects, the verb agrees
with the subject mentioned first.
For example: Mr. Ram, accompanied by his wife Sita and his brother, was
banished to the forest.
RULE 7
A number of/ the number or
„A number of (some countable noun)‟ is always plural. „The
number of (some countable noun)‟ is always singular.
For example: A number of students are going on the trip.
RULE 8
The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement
or time.
For example: Five gallons of oil was required to get the engine
running.
RULE 9
When any of „few, many, several, both, all, some‟ is used with a
countable noun, the verb is plural.
For example: Some men are needed for the battle.
RULE 10
When any of „few, many, several, both, all, some‟ is used with an
uncountable noun, the verb is singular.
For example: Some milk is spoilt.
NOTE
Subject-Verb agreement is essential to make sure that a
sentence is grammatically correct. Thus, the above ten
basic rules can help you to master subject-verb
agreement.
EVERYBODY / ANYBODY / SOMEBODY / NOBODY
EVERYONE / ANYONE / SOMEONE / NO ONE
These subjects are all singular!
“Everyone have problems.”
“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.”
CLUB / TEAM / FAMILY / ARMY
These subjects are also singular, even though they are talking about a
group of people.
“My family is visiting me for the holidays.”
“The basketball team has a new coach.”
Note: In British English “family” and “team” are often plural.
POLICE
Usually, “police” is plural:
“The police are investigating the murder.”
“Police have arrested three suspects.”
To talk about an individual member of the police, we can say policeman or
policewoman – or the gender-neutral term police officer.
PEOPLE / CHILDREN / MEN / WOMEN / MICE / FEET
These words are irregular plural nouns (nouns that are not formed by
adding -s) and they take the plural form of the verb:
“Our children are very well-behaved.”
“The people like the new president.”
“Men don‟t usually enjoy shopping for clothes.”
“My feet are cold.”
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.”
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.”
A. Choose the correct verb in these sentences.
1. The girl or her sisters (watch, watches) television every day.
2. Rob and his brothers (doesn't, don't) like sports.
3. His classmates (study, studies) before a test.
4. One of the cookies (is, are) missing.
5. A lady with 10 cats (live, lives) in that big house.
6. Mumps (is, are) very serious.
7. The committee (decide, decides) when to adjourn.
8. Our team (is, are) the best.
9. Everybody (enjoy, enjoys) a good song.
10. Either (is, are) suitable.
B.Decide if the sentence is correct or incorrect.
1. C Cats and dogs love to run.
2. X He don't like chocolate.
3. X Her friends or Sarah excel at volleyball.
4. X Each of these have been ruined.
5. C Pants are baggy now.
6. C The students, as well as the teacher, are nervous about the test.
7. X The news are on at 10.00 tonight.
8. X My family are a lot of fun.
9. C Mathematics is hard for many.
10. C The director, with all the cast members, works very hard.
Fill in the blanks with the correct verb given in the bracket:
(a) Mathematics ……………………. (is/are) my favorite subject.
(b) Politics ……………………. (is/are) not my cup of tea.
(c) The poet and philosopher, Rahim ……………………. (has/have) died.
(d) Mohan no less than you ……………………. (is/are) guilty.
(e) This news ……………………. (is/are) false.
(f) Bread and butter ………………….. (is/are) my favorite breakfast.
THANK YOU FOLKS!
