SAINT PAUL’S SCHOOL, RAJKOT
Subject Verb Agreement
Name: _______________________Roll No. ______ Std: VII Div: ____ Date:__________
Subject-verb agreement tells us about the ways a subject will agree to its verb.
Generally, rules of tense are in the category of subject-verb agreement, but apart
from these rules there are some other rules by which a subject agrees to the verb.
➢ Rules to Remember
1. Two nouns or pronouns when joined by ‘and’ takes a plural verb.
Examples:
● Rohan and his friend go to the park every evening.
● You and I have done this work.
2. When the subject of a sentence begins with ‘one of’, it must be followed by a
plural noun and a singular verb.
Examples:
● One of my friends is very sick.
● We found that one of the books was stolen.
3. Nouns that are connected by ‘each’ and ‘every’ take a singular
verb with them. Examples:
● Each boy was given a prize.
● Every day is a battle here.
4. If two nouns are connected by ‘and’ but are meant for one person or for one idea
then the verb becomes singular.
Examples:
● Time and tide waits for none. (one idea)
● The director and musician of the film is here. (one person)
5. When two subjects are joined by “as well as, along with, together with, in
addition to” then the verb agrees to the first subject.
Examples:
● He along with his parents was there.
● The boys together with the coach were practicing for the match.
6. When two or more subjects are connected by “or, nor, either or, neither nor”
then the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Examples:
● Either Ram or Shyam knows the truth.
● Neither Hari nor Gauri has eaten the cake.
7. If a sentence starts with introducing ‘there’ then the verb agrees to the number of
the noun that comes after ‘there’.
Examples:
● There is a pen on the table.
● There were big rivers.
8. Nouns, though plural but if they refer to the name of a book, country or that of a
province then the verb used is ‘singular’.
Examples:
● ‘The Gulliver’s Travels’ is a very interesting book.
● The United States is a powerful country.
9. Few, a few, many, several/both are plural in form and take plural verbs with
them. Examples:
● Few books are available to the students.
● Many boys have applied for the post.
● Both the girls were hungry.
10. If two subjects with different numbers are joined by “not only but also, either
or, neither nor” then the verb agrees to the subject nearer to it.
Examples:
● Not only my parents but Ravi also has visited the place.
● Either he or his friends were the culprit.
● Neither the family members nor the watchman has seen the thief.
11. When the main part of the subject is separated from the verb by a large group
of words, the verb follows the head noun in the subject.
Examples:
● The resounding and rhythmic beat of the drums makes my heart go faster.
● The last stage of the thousand metres’ climb was tough.
12. A collective noun takes a singular verb.
Examples:
● The team is well united.
● The crew was completely exhausted.
13. When a plural noun is referred to as a whole, it is taken to be singular and the
verb is also singular.
Examples:
● Fifteen minutes is the remaining time to complete the task.
● Two thousand rupees is not a small amount.
1. Complete the sentences by choosing the correct options.
a. One of my friends _________ gone to France. (has/have)
b. Each of the boys _________ given a present. (was/were)
c. Oil and water _________ not mix. (do/does)
d. Slow and steady _________ the race. (win/wins)
e. Neither Peter nor Tom _________ any right to the property.
f. Every knife, fork and spoon _________ to be counted. (has/have)
g. The audience _________ enjoying the show. (is/are)
h. Bread and butter ________ served for breakfast. (was/were)
i. The cost of essential commodities ________ gone up. (has/have)
j. The slaughter of animals for their fur _________ caused controversy. (has/have)
2. Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.
a. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.
b. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.
c. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.
d. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
e. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two
hours to watch. f. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants)
to win.
g. Each one of those books (is, are) fiction.
h. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.
i. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are)
only one left! j. The committee (debates, debate) these questions
carefully.
k. The committee members (leads, lead) very different lives in
private. l. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets,
greet) the press cordially. m. All of the CDs, even the scratched
one, (is, are) in this case.
3. A few of the sentences below have errors of subject-verb agreement.
Identify these sentences and rewrite them correctly.
a. Either Mr Sharma or Mr Ali are wrong.
b. Mrs Wasan, the director of two schools, were the chief guest.
c. My best friend and most severe critic are my sister.
d. Either the teachers or the administration has to take the decision.
e. I am quite sure that the dog or the cat have eaten up the cookies.
f. Either the police or the citizens has to be on guard.
g. Neither the residents nor the president of the society is worried.
h. Does Gracie and Daisy walk to school?
i. Not only Sona and Jaya but also Gita want to read this book.
j. Neither an ambulance nor two private vehicles has been called.
4. Paragraph based questions:
1: In the world of insects, there (is/are) a wide variety of species. Some ants (is/are)
known for their strength, while others (specializes/specialize) in building intricate
tunnels. One of the most fascinating insects, the firefly, (glows/glow) at night to attract
mates. These insects (plays/play) important roles in their ecosystems.
2: The team of scientists (has/have) been conducting experiments for several months.
Each researcher (work/works) diligently to collect data. The laboratory equipment
(need/needs) to be calibrated regularly to ensure accurate results. Sometimes,
unexpected challenges (arises/arise) during their experiments.
3: The book club (meets/meet) every Wednesday evening. Its members
(discuss/discusses) a different book each month. The latest selection, "The Great
Gatsby," (has/have) sparked heated debates. The club's president, along with the
secretary, (organizes/organize) the meetings and sends out invitations.
4: The soccer team (travels/travel) to away games by bus. The coach, along with the
captain, (decides/decide) on the starting lineup. In the last match, the team (plays/play)
exceptionally well and (wins/win) 3-0.
5: Mountains (rises/rise) majestically into the sky. The Himalayas, one of the world's
tallest mountain ranges, (extends/extend) for thousands of miles. Its peaks (is/are) often
covered in snow, creating breathtaking landscapes. Mountain climbers (faces/face)
numerous challenges when attempting to conquer these formidable heights.
5. Transform the following sentences from singular to plural or vice versa, ensuring
correct subject-verb agreement.
1. The corporation is expanding its market share.
2. The committee has reached a consensus.
3. The government implements new policies.
4. The audience applauded enthusiastically.
5. The phenomenon is perplexing scientists.
6. The criteria for selection are rigorous.
7. The data supports the hypothesis.
8. The species is endangered.
9. The phenomenon occurs infrequently.
10. The jury reaches a verdict.
