Subject Verb Agreement
1.
When two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing, the
verb is singular, thus-
• The poet and Scholar is dead
2.
When two singular nouns are practically synonymous the verb is
singular
• His power and influence is very great
• Peace and order is the most important
issue
3.
When two singular nouns though not synonymous, are intended to
express jointly a single ideas, the verb is singular
• Bread and Butter is what he has for
breakfast
• Slow and Stead wins the race
4.
When two singular noun is qualified by two contrasting adjectives,
the verb is plural, eg-
• Metal and Physical sciences are not
the same
5.
When a collective noun is used as a common noun but shows some
division, the verb is plural eg-
·
The committee are advised in their opinion (but)
• The committee is unanimous in its
approval of the proposal
6.
When a plural noun denotes some specific quality or amount
considered as whole, the verb is generally singular -
• Six miles is a long distance
• Ten Rupees is not a large sum
• The parts of the business is left for
me today
7.
A plural verb is preferred with nouns which are plural in meaning
though singular in form, they are – number, plenty, variety, rest enemy,
cannon, none, pair, dozen, the brave etc
• None but the brave deserve the fair
• Plenty of men are charitable
• The enemy are still bombarding
• Note. Place plural verb after such
nouns plenty and variety according to context, unless the context
shows that those words are used to imply plurality, the verb must be singular
• To greet a variety of pursuits
consists much and pays little
• There is often a number of claims to
meet
8.
Two nouns connected by and not, as well as, with,
together with, besides, in addition to, like are followed by a verb in the
singular when the former of the nouns is in the singular – eg
• John and not his brother was present
• Silver, as well as gold, has fallen in
price
• The commander with all his men has
been killed
• Milk besides butter, is supplied to
the students
• Sathish, like Harish, is a good boy
• The house with all its fittings and
furniture was sold yesterday
9.
When two nouns or pronouns are joined by not only…..but also
the verb agrees with the second noun or pronoun - eg
• Not only the officer, but also six
soldiers were killed
• Not only the six soldiers, but also
the officer was killed
10.
Two or more singular nouns or pronouns connected by the
conjunctions either…or, neither….nor require a singular verb, if the
subjects differ in number or person, the verb follows the number and person of
the subject nearest to it. Thus -
• Either the cat or the dog has done it
• Either cat or dogs have done it
• Either you or I am in wrong
• Neither the PM nor his ministers are
present
11.
When either and neither are used as nouns or
adjectives they must be followed by singular verbs - eg
• He asked me if either of the
applicants was suitable
12.
Any noun qualified by adjectives each and every must
be followed by a singular verb
• Every boy and girl is to attend the
exam
• Each one of this committee has to
present one’s report
13.
A verb should agree with the subject and not with the compliment
• Our only guide was the stars
(correct)
• Our only guide were starts (wrong)
• The stars were only our guide
(correct)
14.
If two different subjects are qualified by the same word, repeat
the word before each subject and make the verb plural
• A rise in rents and wages has been
found together (wrong)
• A rise in rents and a rise in wages
have been found together (Correct)
15.
None though properly a singular, being a compound form of no one is
followed by a plural verb when plurality is suggested by the same – eg.
• None are so deaf as those who will not
hear
• None but fools have ever believed her
• None praise him more than I
16.
When the adjectives much, little and less are used
as nouns they must be followed by a singular verb – eg.
• Much of what you have said, has
been said by others
• More than a year has passed
since I saw him
• Less than a million tones is
produced in a year
• A little of good manners makes
our life sweet
17.
Many a should always be followed by a singular verb eg -
• Many a man has lost everything
by putting eggs in one basket
• Many a soldier has died for the
sake of his country
• But we can say .. Many a man and a woman were
standing there
18.
Begin a question with the verb –eg.
• Have you had your meals? (correct)
• Had your meals? (absolutely wrong)
• When the question is in indirect
speech, the verb does not come before the subject eg – I asked him what was
his name (wrong), say I asked him what his name was (correct)
19.
Observe the following examples
• He went to the USA (i.e., still he
is in the USA)
• He had been to the USA (i.e., now
the person is in home town, he went there and came back)
20.
When two auxiliaries are used with one principle verb, the
principle verb need not be repeated. If however, both forms are different from
one for each auxiliary -
• I have never hurt anyone, and never
will (correct)
• I never have and never, will abuse
anybody (wrong, say, I never have abused and never will abuse anybody)
21.
If the principle clause is in the past tense, it must be followed
by a past tense in dependent clause
• He told me he does not believe in God
(Wrong)
• He did not believe in God (Correct)
• However this rule does not apply in
such universal truths -
• We are taught that the earth moves
round the Sun
• At last she was convinced of the fact
that honest is the best policy
22.
In a subjective mood where there is an expression of some with or
supposition, the verb is plural, eg -
• I wish I were a film actor; If I were you, I should agree
• Though he were the Prime Minister of
India, I would say the same
• If he were here he would support me
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