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Subject-Verb Agreement - Complete Guide

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Subject-Verb Agreement - Complete Guide
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Subject-Verb Agreement

The Foundation of Perfect English Sentences

📚 Prerequisites:

If you're new to grammar fundamentals, please read Rule #1 first for better clarity before proceeding with this topic!

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-Verb Agreement is the grammatical rule that ensures the subject and verb in a sentence match in number (singular or plural).

Simple Rule:

Every sentence needs ONE subject and ONE verb that agree with each other!

Subject + Verb = Sentence
The foundation of all English sentences

Basic Examples

  • The cat runs quickly. → (Singular subject + Singular verb)
  • The cats run quickly. → (Plural subject + Plural verb)

The Combo Concept

When two nouns are joined by "and" and refer to a single entity or idea, they are called a COMBO and take a singular verb.

🤝 COMBO = Single Entity = Singular Verb

When two things work together as ONE unit, use singular verb!

Different Entities vs. Combos

Different Entities: Ram and Ravi are good friends.

Two different people = Plural verb

Combo (Single Concept): Determination and honesty pays dividends.

Two qualities forming one concept = Singular verb

Combo (Single Unit): Time and tide waits for none.

Famous saying where both form one concept = Singular verb

Professional Combos

When someone holds two positions but is ONE person, use singular verb. However, if a determiner (the, my, our, your, his, her, their) appears before the second position, use plural verb.

The accountant and manager is found corrupt.

One person with two roles = Singular verb

The accountant and the manager are found corrupt.

Determiner "the" indicates two different people = Plural verb

The teacher and my friend are coming.

Determiner "my" indicates two different people = Plural verb

The doctor and our neighbor have arrived.

Determiner "our" indicates two different people = Plural verb

The captain and his assistant are meeting.

Determiner "his" indicates two different people = Plural verb

The manager and your colleague were discussing.

Determiner "your" indicates two different people = Plural verb

More Combo Examples

  • Slow and steady wins the race. → (Famous proverb = Combo)
  • The horse and carriage is at the gate. → (Traditional transport unit = Combo)
  • Bread and butter is my breakfast. → (Common food combination = Combo)
  • Law and order needs to be maintained. → (Single concept = Combo)

Neither...Nor and Either...Or Conditions

In sentences with neither...nor or either...or, the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb.

Proximity Rule

The subject NEAREST to the verb determines the verb form!

Neither the manager nor his team members work honestly.

"Members" (plural) is closest to verb → Use plural "work"

Either the men or his son has received the money.

"Son" (singular) is closest to verb → Use singular "has"

Not only money, but laborers are important to us.

"Laborers" (plural) is closest to verb → Use plural "are"

Parenthetical Sentences

In sentences with parenthetical expressions, the verb agrees with the main subject (the first subject), not the words in between.

Parenthetical Words to Remember:

as well as with along with in addition to together with unlike but except not
Main Subject + (parenthetical words) + Verb
Ignore the middle part, focus on main subject!
  • You, unlike others, have helped me. → ("You" is main subject)
  • I, as well as you, am found guilty. → ("I" is main subject)
  • The teacher, along with students, is going. → ("Teacher" is main subject)
  • She, but not her friends, knows the answer. → ("She" is main subject)

The "Many A" Construction

Understanding the difference between various "many" constructions and identifying incorrect usage.

Find the WRONG sentence:

(1) A many politicians are corrupt. (2) Many politicians are corrupt. (3) Many a politician is corrupt. (4) Many are politicians are corrupt. ❌

Why is sentence (4) wrong?

The word "many" cannot be followed by "are" directly!

many a + singular noun + singular verb
This is the correct pattern for emphasis

Meanings in Different Languages

Many politicians are corrupt.

ઘણા રાજકારણીઓ ભ્રષ્ટ છે.

कई राजनेता भ्रष्ट हैं।

Normal statement

A many politicians are corrupt.

ઘણા બધા રાજકારણીઓ ભ્રષ્ટ છે.

बहुत सारे राजनेता भ्रष्ट हैं।

For emphasis (literary)

Many a politician is corrupt.

અનેક રાજકારણી ભ્રષ્ટ છે.

अनेक राजनेता भ्रष्ट हैं।

For strong emphasis

Examples of "Many A" Construction:

  • Many a student has failed the exam.
  • Many a time I have told you this.
  • Many a soldier has died for the country.

Countable vs. Non-Countable Nouns

Quick Rule: Countable nouns are plural, Non-countable nouns are singular.

Countable Nouns (Plural) Non-Countable Nouns (Singular)
books, cars, students, animals water, rice, sugar, information
chairs, computers, phones, people milk, oil, knowledge, advice
dogs, cats, children, teachers money, furniture, music, news

More + Countable/Non-Countable Rules

More + Countable Noun (Plural)

↓

Plural Verb

More + Non-Countable Noun (Singular)

↓

Singular Verb

  • More animals are saved this year. → (Countable = Plural verb)
  • More water is required. → (Non-countable = Singular verb)
  • More students have joined. → (Countable = Plural verb)
  • More information is needed. → (Non-countable = Singular verb)

Exception: "More Than One"

Special Rule for "More Than One"

More than one + singular noun + singular verb
"More than one" is logically singular!

More than one student is absent today.

More than one book was damaged.

Quantity Expressions

Words like lots of, a lot of, half of, one-third of, 10% of, plenty of follow the noun they modify.

Quantity Words:

lots of a lot of half of one-third of quarter of two-fourth of rest of sum of 10% of 5% of plenty of enough of not enough of

Quantity + Non-Countable Noun

↓

Singular Verb

Quantity + Countable Noun

↓

Plural Verb

💡 Quick Hint: Remember that verbs are naturally in plural form! Examples: eat, fly, go, run, work, play. The singular forms add 's' or 'es': eats, flies, goes, runs, works, plays.

Examples with Explanations:

  • Lots of people love to watch cricket.
    "People" is countable (plural) → Use plural verb "love"
  • One-third of the students have passed the exam.
    "Students" is countable (plural) → Use plural verb "have"
  • Not enough girls have participated in the contest.
    "Girls" is countable (plural) → Use plural verb "have"
  • Lots of rice is grown in India.
    "Rice" is non-countable (singular) → Use singular verb "is"
  • Half of the sugar has been sold.
    "Sugar" is non-countable (singular) → Use singular verb "has"
  • Plenty of water is available.
    "Water" is non-countable (singular) → Use singular verb "is"
  • 10% of the employees are absent today.
    "Employees" is countable (plural) → Use plural verb "are"

Practice Quiz - Subject-Verb Agreement

Question 1: Either the teacher or the students _______ wrong.

(a) is (b) are ✓ (c) was (d) were
Answer: (b) are
"Students" (plural) is closest to the verb, so use "are".

Question 2: Bread and butter _______ my favorite breakfast.

(a) is ✓ (b) are (c) was (d) were
Answer: (a) is
"Bread and butter" is a combo (single food item), takes singular verb.

Question 3: She, along with her friends, _______ coming to the party.

(a) is ✓ (b) are (c) was (d) were
Answer: (a) is
Parenthetical sentence - verb agrees with main subject "She".

Question 4: Many a student _______ failed in this exam.

(a) has ✓ (b) have (c) are (d) were
Answer: (a) has
"Many a + singular noun + singular verb" construction.

Question 5: Lots of information _______ available on the internet.

(a) is ✓ (b) are (c) was (d) were
Answer: (a) is
"Information" is non-countable, takes singular verb "is".

Question 6: More than one book _______ damaged in the flood.

(a) were (b) was ✓ (c) are (d) is
Answer: (b) was
"More than one" always takes singular verb, even if logically plural.

Question 7: The accountant and the manager _______ attending the meeting.

(a) is (b) are ✓ (c) was (d) has
Answer: (b) are
Determiner "the" before both positions indicates two different people.

Question 8: Half of the students _______ absent today.

(a) is (b) are ✓ (c) was (d) has
Answer: (b) are
"Students" is countable (plural), so use plural verb "are".

Key Takeaways

🎯 Master These Rules!

✅ Basic Rule: Subject + Verb = Sentence (must agree in number)

✅ Combos: Two words forming one concept = Singular verb

✅ Neither/Either: Verb agrees with the nearest subject

✅ Parenthetical: Ignore middle words, focus on main subject

✅ Many A: Always singular noun + singular verb

✅ Quantities: Follow the noun they modify (countable/non-countable)

Keep Learning!

Master these subject-verb agreement rules for perfect English!

Practice Makes Perfect!

Keep practicing these concepts with real sentences. The more you practice, the more natural these rules will become!

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Keep practicing these subject-verb agreement rules until they become second nature!