SUBJECT-

VERB
CONCORD
 Arav is a good boy.
ARAV- Subject of the sentence (Third Person
Singular)

IS- Verb (Singular)

The verb of the sentence should agree with
the number and person of the subject. This is
known as Subject- Verb Concord or Subject-
Verb Agreement.
 RULES FOR
SUBJECT- VERB
CONCORD
SL. NO RULES EXAMPLES
1. The verb must agree with the number and person 1. Arav is a good boy.
of the subject. 2. They are good friends.
SINGULAR SUBJECT= SINGULAR VERB
PLURAL SUBJECT= PLURAL VERB
2. When two or more singular nouns are joined by 1. He and his friends have
‘and’ , plural verb is used. arrived.
2. Madhu and Sudha are playing
together.
3. If two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’ but 1. The horse and the carriage is
refers to the same person/idea/thing, then the ready.
verb must be singular. 2. Slow and steady wins the race.
NOTE: Article is used only once if two nouns
refer to the same person.
4. If singular subjects have “each”, “every”, 1. Every man, woman and child was
lost.
“or”, “nor”, “either” , “neither” before
2. No nook or corner was left
them, then the verb will be singular. Also unexplored.
when two nouns are qualified by each or 3. Neither Harsh nor Ravi has come.
every, although connected by ‘and’, they 4. Each girl was given a pen.
5. Each boy and every girl was given a
require a singular verb.
certificate
SL. NO RULES EXAMPLES

5. When two subjects joined by “or”, “nor” are of 1. The farmer or his sons plough
different numbers, the verb must be plural and the fields.
the plural subject must be placed near the verb. 2. Neither the boy nor his
parents have gone there.

6. When two subjects joined by “or”, “nor” are of 1. Either he or I am mistaken.

different persons, the verb agrees in person 2. Neither you nor he is to blame.
with the subject nearest to it.

7. A collective noun requires a singular verb when 1. The mob has gathered in front
the collection is thought of as a whole. of the gate.
NOTE: A COLLECTIVE NOUN REQUIRES PLURAL 2. The fleet has set sail.
VERB IF THE INDIVIDUALS ARE CONCERNED. 3. The crew were taken
prisoners.

8. Nouns which are plural in form but singular 1. The news is true.
in meaning will take a singular verb. 2. Physics is a branch of natural
(News, Physics, Mathematics, Robotics, science.
Aerobics, Economics, Cards, Measles, 3. Mathematics is a tricky
subject.
Politics)
4. Aerobics is a good exercise.
SL. NO RULES EXAMPLES

9. Nouns which are singular in form, but plural in 1. Six dozen cost only hundred
meaning , takes a plural verb. rupees.
2. People have such strange
ideas.
3. My feet hurt.
4. The children are in bed.
10. When one singular noun is joined to another 1. Kiran, and not you, has won
noun with words such as ‘with’, ‘besides’, ‘and the prize.
not’, ‘together with’, ‘no less than’ then it 2. The ship, with its crew, was
requires a singular verb. saved.

11. When two nouns are joined by ‘as well as’ the 1. My friend as well as my
verb agrees in number and person with the first colleagues is going abroad.
one. 2. You as well as Rahim were
present.
12. Everybody, Somebody, Nobody, Anybody 1. Nobody is perfect in this
and Anyone take a singular verb. world.
2. Everybody is busy doing their
work.
3. Is anyone there in the room?
SL. NO RULES EXAMPLES
13. The title of a book, play, story or a musical 1. ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ was written
composition, even though plural, takes a by Jonathan Swift.
singular verb. 2. The United States has a
Similarly, if the plural noun is a proper name for President.
some single object or some collective unit, it
requires a singular verb.

14. A singular verb is used when a plural noun 1. Two hundred rupees is too
denotes some specific quantity or amount. much for this bag.
2. Ten miles is a long distance to
cover in an hour.

15. None takes a plural / singular verb depending 1. None were given a chance to
on the sense implied in the sentence. speak.
2. None of his poems are
published.
3. I asked for a maid but none
was there.
16. If a sentence begins with “here” or “there”, 1. Here are the ways on how to
the verb agrees with the subject which preserve meat.
follows it. 2. There is a huge gap between
the rich and the poor.
SL. NO RULES EXAMPLES

17. Nouns such as glasses, spectacles, pants, trousers, 1. The shoes are glossy.
shoes, scissors, pliers, shears, tongs always require a 2. A pair of branded shoes is
plural verb. quite expensive these
NOTE: IF THE WORD PAIR IS USED, THE VERB IS days.
SINGULAR.

18. Fractions take a singular verb when bulk or a total 1. Two- thirds of the students
number/ amount is considered. were present.
NOTE: FRACTIONS TAKE A PLURAL VERB WHEN 2. One- half of the cake was
INDIVIDUALS ARE CONCERNED. consumed.

19. When subjects are contrasted, the verb agrees with 1. She, not I, is responsible.
the affirmative. 2. They, not he, are coming
tomorrow.
 ASSIGNMENT
A. FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN
AGREEMENT WITH THE SUBJECT:

1. The cost of all these articles __________ risen.

2. __________ the tweezers in this drawer?
3. That night every one of the boat’s crew __________ down with fever.
4. One or the other of the fellows __________ stolen the watch.
5. No news __________ good news.
6. The accountant and the cashier __________ absconded.
7. A good man and dutiful citizen __________ passed away.
8. Each of the suspected men __________ arrested.
9. __________the news on at five or six?
10.The quality of the mangoes __________ not good.