Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement!
Hi Super Students! 👋 Today, we're going to learn a very important secret in English called 'Subject-Verb Agreement'. It sounds a bit grown-up, but it's actually super easy, like matching your socks! 🧦
Imagine a subject (like 'cat' 🐈 or 'dogs' 🐕🐕) is a person, and a verb (an action word like 'jumps' or 'run') is their special T-shirt. The main rule is: the T-shirt must fit the person!
- If the subject is singular (just one, like 'cat'), it wears a singular T-shirt (a verb that usually ends in 's', like 'jumps').
- If the subject is plural (more than one, like 'dogs'), it wears a plural T-shirt (a verb that usually doesn't end in 's', like 'run').
We'll learn some simple rules to help you make sure your subjects and verbs are always best friends and match perfectly in your sentences. Let's get started!
A finite verb must agree with its subject in number and person.
Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
1. Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by 'and' require a plural verb.
Earth and fire are natural resources.
Knowledge and wisdom have a great connection.
Are your father and mother in Dubai?
2. Two or more singular nouns which suggest one idea or refer to the same person take a singular verb.
Time and tide waits for no man.
The rise and fall of the tide occurs according to the moon.
My friend, philosopher, and guide is here. (Here, 'friend, philosopher, and guide' refers to one person)
3. A singular subject containing words or phrases that are part of the main subject (like 'with', 'as well as', 'along with') still takes a singular verb. The verb agrees with the main subject.
The ship, with its crew, is sinking. (Main subject: ship)
Mobile, as well as Laptop, has become expensive. (Main subject: Mobile)
The Teacher, with all his students, is invited to the exhibition. (Main subject: Teacher)
4. Two or more singular subjects connected by 'or' or 'nor' take a singular verb.
Either the lion or the tiger has attacked him.
Neither praise nor blame seems to affect her.
My success or my fame is due to my own efforts.
5. When subjects connected by 'or' or 'nor' are of different numbers (one singular, one plural), the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.
Neither the Principal nor the clerks are in office. (Clerks is plural and nearer to the verb)
Either he or his brothers go to America every summer. (Brothers is plural and nearer)
Neither my colleague nor they are responsible for this. (They is plural and nearer)
Either the players or the coach is late. (Coach is singular and nearer)
6. Words like 'either', 'neither', 'each', 'every', 'everyone', 'everybody', 'anyone', 'anybody', 'someone', 'somebody', 'no one', 'nobody' take a singular verb.
Each of the seats was cleaned thoroughly.
Everyone loves to play cricket.
Neither of the two answers is correct.
7. A verb must agree with its true subject and not with words that come between the subject and the verb (often in prepositional phrases).
The results of the competition are surprising. (True subject: results)
The quality of these oranges was not quite good. (True subject: quality)
Her knowledge of many languages is far too good to be challenged. (True subject: knowledge)
8. When the subject contains a noun phrase that renames or describes the main noun or pronoun (an appositive), the verb must agree with the main noun or pronoun.
I, a student of class IX, am going to recite a poem. (Verb agrees with I)
The Minister, a true politician and good administrator, is admired by all. (Verb agrees with Minister)
The policemen, members of a government taskforce, were sent to the site of the accident. (Verb agrees with policemen)
9. When a compound subject contains the pronoun 'I', 'I' is usually placed last. The verb is typically plural as the compound subject is treated as 'we'.
He and I are friends.
Ajith, Surya, and I like sweets.
My sister and I enjoy watching movies.
Let's Practice!
Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of the present tense of the verb given in the brackets:
1. Ajith and Surya (to make) us laugh with their comedy.
Ajith and Surya make us laugh with their comedy.
2. I, the leader of the opposition, (to be) here to convince you about my thought.
I, the leader of the opposition, am here to convince you about my thought.
3. Neither of us (to like) chicken.
Neither of us likes chicken.
4. Knowledge and learning (to go) hand in hand.
Knowledge and learning go hand in hand.
5. The bus, with its passengers, (to be) trapped near the bridge.
The bus, with its passengers, is trapped near the bridge.
6. Each of the seats (to be) fixed with pillows.
Each of the seats is fixed with pillows.
7. Either Sunil or you (to come) inside.
Either Sunil or you come inside. (Verb agrees with 'you')
8. The measure of these chairs (to be) not taken.
The measure of these chairs is not taken. (Subject is 'measure')
9. The nation and its people (to have) a great responsibility.
The nation and its people have a great responsibility.
10. All of us (to require) rest, sleep and exercise.
All of us require rest, sleep and exercise.
More Examples to Master!
Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses:
1. My brother and sister (play/plays) in the park every evening.
My brother and sister play in the park every evening.
2. Bread and butter (is/are) my favorite breakfast.
Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.
3. The box of colorful crayons (is/are) on the shelf.
The box of colorful crayons is on the shelf.
4. Either Mom or Dad (cook/cooks) dinner tonight.
Either Mom or Dad cooks dinner tonight.
5. Neither the teacher nor the students (is/are) in the classroom yet.
Neither the teacher nor the students are in the classroom yet.
6. Every child in the class (like/likes) story time.
Every child in the class likes story time.
7. The list of items for the party (is/are) very long.
The list of items for the party is long.
8. You, my best friend, (is/are) always there for me.
You, my best friend, are always there for me.
9. My dog, along with the neighborhood cats, (run/runs) in the yard.
My dog, along with the neighborhood cats, runs in the yard.
10. No food or water (was/were) left after the long journey.
No food or water was left after the long journey.
11. The captain, as well as the players, (is/are) excited for the game.
The captain, as well as the players, is excited for the game.
12. One of my friends (has/have) a new bicycle.
One of my friends has a new bicycle.
13. The news from the city (was/were) surprising.
The news from the city was surprising. (News is singular)
14. Ten kilometers (is/are) a long distance to walk.
Ten kilometers is a long distance to walk. (A single unit of distance)
15. The jury (has/have) reached a verdict. (Can be singular or plural depending on context - here assuming unified)
The jury has reached a verdict.
Word Helper - Easy Meanings!
- Finite Verb: An action word that matches the subject and tells the time of action (like 'he runs' or 'they run').
- Agree (in grammar): To match or fit together, like puzzle pieces.
- Subject: Who or what the sentence is mainly about.
- Number (in grammar): Tells if the subject is one (singular) or more than one (plural).
- Person (in grammar): Tells if the subject is speaking (I/we), spoken to (you), or spoken about (he/she/it/they).
- Pronoun: A short word like 'he', 'she', 'it', 'they' that takes the place of a noun (a naming word).
- Require: To need something.
- Resources: Useful things that people can use, like water or books.
- Connection: A link or a relationship between things.
- Suggests: Gives an idea or hint about something.
- Refer to: To mean or point to something.
- Tide: The daily rise and fall of the sea level.
- Occurs: Happens or takes place.
- Philosopher: A very wise person who thinks a lot about life and important ideas.
- Guide: Someone who shows the way or helps you understand something.
- Crew: The team of people who work together on a ship, airplane, or for a special job.
- Exhibition: A public show where interesting things are displayed for people to see.
- Praise: To say good things about someone or something.
- Blame: To say that someone is responsible for something bad that happened.
- Affect: To make a change in something or someone.
- Colleague: A person you work with.
- Responsible: Being the one who should take care of something or who caused something to happen.
- Thoroughly: Very carefully and completely.
- Competition: A game or contest where people try to be the best or win.
- Quality: How good or bad something is.
- Recite: To say something aloud from memory, like a poem or a story.
- Administrator: A person who helps manage and organize things, like in an office or school.
- Admired: Liked and respected a lot by others.
- Taskforce: A special group of people chosen to do a particular important job.
- Convince: To make someone believe that something is true.
- Trapped: Stuck in a place and unable to get out.