Subject Verb Agreement-Rules and Examples

Subject verb agreement 

Subject verb agreement: Nobody likes conflict, and sentences are no exception! We know that every sentence needs a subject and a predicate, but we also need to make sure that these two agree. This is known as subject verb agreement in the grammar world.

Subject verb agreement Meaninng

The two most common areas where subjects and verbs disagree are in number and tense. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. This may appear to be a no-brainer, but things can become complicated when discussing money, time, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and interrupting phrases.

Subject verb agreement Definition 

The relationship between the sentence’s subject and predicate is referred to as subject-verb agreement. Tense and number must always agree between subjects and verbs. The number, or whether the subject and verb are singular or plural, is the focus of this post.

Example – 

• Every night, the light in the lamppost flickers.

Because the subject light is singular in this sentence, the verb that describes the subject’s action must also be singular: flickers.

If the subject was plural, the verbs would have to change form to match.

Subject verb agreement Rules with Example

Here we compelled the Subject verb agreement rules with Examples so that students can easily understand the rules.

Rule 1: If the subject is singular, use a singular verb then.

Example – She teaches every day.

Rule2: If the subject is plural, there must be a plural verb.

Example – They teach every day.

Rule3: Use a plural verb when the subject of the sentence is made up of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by ‘and’.

Example –  The assistant teachers and the principal teach every day.

Rule4: When there is only one subject and more than one verb, the verbs must all agree with the subject throughout the sentence.

Example – The crowd shouted, danced, sang, and rocked to the band.

Rule 5: When a phrase appears between the subject and the verb, remember that the verb still appears to agree with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the sentence’s following phrase.

Example – The captain as well as the players is very excited about tomorrow’s match.

Rule 6: Use a singular verb when two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by “or” or “nor.”

Example – My mother or father anyone can sign my NOC letter.

Rule7: When a compound subject includes both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the part of the subject closest to the verb. This is also known as the proximity rule.

Example – The students or the class monitor writes every day.

The class monitor or the students write every day.

Rule8:”each,” “each one,” “either,” “neither,” “everyone,” “everybody,” “anyone,” “anybody,” “nobody,” “somebody,” “someone,” and “no one” is singular words and phrases that require a singular verb.

 Example – Each of the students is willing to play football 

Example – Noone was there in the class.

Rule9: Uncountable nouns take a singular verb.

Example – Consistency is the key to success.

Rule 10: Earnings, goods, odds, surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables are examples of countable nouns in English that only have a plural form and require a plural verb.

Example – The earnings from the year 2022 exceed our expectations.

Subject verb agreement Exercise 

Direction: In each of the following sentences supply a verb in agreement with its subject.

1. Shakespeare is one of the greatest dramatists that ______________ ever lived.
2. Which one of these books ______________  yours?
3. None of the boys ______________ done the sum.
4. A group of boys ______________ going on the road.
5. Each men and each women____________ given a prize.
6. Either you or he_____________ done this.
7. _____________ you think I am a fool?
8. Mr. Roy together with his children _____________ buying some sweets.
9. How happy we____________ here!
10. Many of the boys ______________ present in the class.

Direction: Find the Error

1. One of the terrorists (1)/ of the Kashmir valley (2)/ are shot dead. (3)/ No error (4)
2. Dravid is one of the players (1)/ who has been selected (2)/ for the test match. (3)/ No error (4).
3. One of the most (1)/ widely spread (2)/ bad habit is the use of tobacco. (3)/ No error (4).
4. My brother-in-law(1)/who lives in Mumbai (2)/ have come to stay with us. (3)/ No error (4)
5. They dreamed of a society (1)/ where everyone (2)/ were equal. (3)/ No error (4)
6. Three–fourths of the men (1)/ has gone (2)/ to war. (3)/ No error (4)
7. When no individual is (1)/ responsible there are no (2)/ sense of responsibility. (3)/ No error (4).
8. Whoever(1)/assumes /(2)his statement true is foolish/(3) No error (4)

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Subject verb agreement-FAQs

Q.What is the impact of subject verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement is crucial because it prevents the reader from being confused. The number of subjects and verbs must match. Only singular subjects should be paired with singular verbs. The verb must also be plural if the subject is.

Q.What is the most important thing you need to consider in the subject verb agreement?

Practice determining the subject and verb of a sentence while reading and writing. The verb must be singular if the subject is a singular or uncountable noun. The verb must be numerous if the subject is, as well.

Q.What is the main rule for subject verb agreement?

The foundation of subject-verb agreement is that Singular verbs go with singular subjects: A plural verb is used with a plural subject.

Q.Why do we need to follow the rules of subject verb Agreement?

The agreement of subjects and verbs must be maintained at all times. The foundation of grammatically sound English writing is the link between subjects and verbs.