SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

 Rule 1:

If two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’, and represent two different subjects, the verb used must be plural.

Example: Ravi and Aman were playing.

The principal and the secretary are coming.

The teachers and the principal have participated in the competition.

 

 

Rule 2:

If two singular nouns joined by and point out to the same thing or person, the verb used must be singular.

Examples:

1. Rice and curry is the favourite food of the Punjabis.
2. The collector and district magistrate is away.

In the first example, rice and curry refer to one thing, i.e. food. Similarly, the collector and district magistrate is one man. Hence the verb used is singular (i.e. is).

Note:

If the article the is used with both nouns, the reference will be to two persons or things and the verb used in such a case must be plural.

For example:

The philosopher and the teacher are dead.

The above sentence refers to two persons, i.e. the philosopher (one man) and the teacher (the other man).

 

Rule 3:

In case two subjects are joined by as well as, the verb agrees with the first subject.

Examples:

1. Kanta as well as her children is playing.
2. The children as well as their mother are playing.

In the case of the first sentence, the verb (is) agrees with Kanta and in the case of the second sentence, the verb (are) agrees with children.

 

Rule 4:

Neither, either, every, each, everyone and many a are followed by a singular verb.

Examples:

1. Either of the plans is to be adopted.
2. Neither of the two brothers is sure to pass.
3. Every student is expected to be obedient.
4. Each of them is capacitated to do the work.
5. Everyone of them desires this.
6. Many a person was drowned in the sea.

 

Rule 5:

If two subjects are joined by either…or, neither…nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.

Note:

You need not waste your time in understanding the meaning of ‘near to’. You should simply keep in mind that in such cases the verb agrees with the second subject.

Examples:

1. Either my brother or I am to do this work.
2. Neither he nor they are prepared to do this work.

In the first example, the verb (i.e. am) agrees with I because I is immediately before the verb. Similarly, in the second sentence, the verb (i.e. are) agrees with they, because they is immediately before it.

 

Rule 6:

A noun singular in form and collective in sense takes a singular verb.

Examples:

1. The committee is unanimous in its opinion.
2. The council has chosen its president.
3. Parliament has elected its speaker.

 

Rule 7:

A great many is always followed by a plural noun and plural verb.

Examples:

1. A great many students have been declared successful.
2. A great many men have come.

 

Rule 8:

Similarly, if two subjects are joined by with, together with, no less than, in addition to, and no, etc., the verb agrees with the first subject.

Examples:

1. The boy with his parents has arrived.
2. The officer together with his subordinates was present in the function.
3. He no less than I is to blame.
4. Hard labour in addition to intelligence is needed for success in life.

 

Rule 9:

Nouns, plural in form but singular in meaning, take a singular verb.

Examples:

These news were broadcast from All India Radio yesterday. (Incorrect)

This news was broadcast from All India Radio yesterday. (Correct)

 

Rule 10:

When two subjects are joined by not only … but also, the verb must agree with the second subject.

Examples:

1. Not only India but also Pakistan is poor.
   (The second subject Pakistan is singular)
2. Not only the principal but also the students were laughing.
   (The second subject students is plural)
3. Not only the children but also their mother was playing.
   (The second subject their mother is singular)

 

Rule 11:

When two subjects are joined by or, the verb must agree with the second subject.

Note:

In the application of the above rule, it is necessary to keep in mind that the plural subject, if any, should be placed near the verb.

Examples:

1. Krishna or her sisters were there.
   (The second subject sisters is plural)
2. Mohan or Sohan is responsible for all this.
   (The second subject Sohan is singular)

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES (From the page on VERB):

There are three popular kinds of verbs:

1. Ordinary Verb
2. Verb of incomplete predication
3. Transitive and Intransitive verbs

Agreement of the Verb with the Subject:

The ve