50 Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
Master English Grammar Easily
Subject-Verb Agreement means that the verb must match the subject in number and person. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
Basic Rules
A singular subject takes a singular verb.
She writes beautifully.
A plural subject takes a plural verb.
They write beautifully.
Two singular subjects joined by "and" take a plural verb.
Riya and Priya are friends.
When subjects are joined by "or," the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
Either the teacher or the students are coming.
When subjects are joined by "nor," the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
Neither the boys nor the girl is absent.
With Indefinite Pronouns
Everyone takes a singular verb.
Everyone is happy.
Someone takes a singular verb.
Someone has called.
Nobody takes a singular verb.
Nobody knows the answer.
Each takes a singular verb.
Each of the students is ready.
Either and neither take singular verbs.
Neither of the two books is mine.
Collective Nouns
A collective noun usually takes a singular verb.
The team is winning.
If members act separately, a plural verb may be used.
The team are arguing among themselves.
Special Cases
"The number of" takes a singular verb.
The number of students is increasing.
"A number of" takes a plural verb.
A number of students are absent.
Titles of books, movies, and subjects take singular verbs.
Mathematics is interesting.
News takes a singular verb.
The news is shocking.
Measles and similar diseases take singular verbs.
Measles is contagious.
Amounts and Measurements
A sum of money takes a singular verb.
Ten thousand rupees is a large amount.
A period of time takes a singular verb.
Five years is a long time.
Distance takes a singular verb when considered as one unit.
Ten kilometers is too far.
With "Each" and "Every"
Each boy and each girl has a prize.
Every student and every teacher was present.
Each of the players is ready.
Every one of these books belongs to me.
Nouns That Look Plural but Are Singular
Physics is my favorite subject.
Economics is useful.
Politics is complicated.
Statistics is interesting.
Plural Nouns That Take Plural Verbs
Scissors are sharp.
Trousers are new.
Spectacles are expensive.
Shorts are comfortable.
With Fractions and Percentages
Half of the cake is gone.
Half of the students are absent.
Fifty percent of the work is complete.
Fifty percent of the players are injured.
With Relative Pronouns
He is one of the boys who play cricket.
She is the only one who sings well.
Compound Subjects
Bread and butter is my breakfast.
(When considered one item)
Slow and steady wins the race.
Rice and curry is my favorite meal.
Introductory Words
There is a book on the table.
There are many books on the shelf.
Here comes the bus.
Here come the children.
Uncountable Nouns
Furniture is costly.
Advice is valuable.
Information is useful.
Luggage was heavy.
Knowledge is power.
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