Subject–Verb Agreement

Subject–Verb Agreement

Subject–Verb Agreement means that the verb must agree with its subject in number and person.

In simple terms:

• A singular subject generally takes a singular verb.
• A plural subject generally takes a plural verb.

Examples:

• The boy plays football.
• The boys play football.
• She is intelligent.
• They are intelligent.
• He has a car.
• They have a car.

Subject–Verb Agreement is also called Subject–Verb Concord.

It is one of the most frequently tested areas in competitive examinations because errors often occur when:

• words come between the subject and verb
• two or more subjects are joined together
• collective nouns are used
• expressions such as each, every, either, neither, a number of, the number of occur
• the subject appears plural but is actually singular
• the subject appears singular but carries a plural meaning
• the verb comes before the subject

Basic Agreement Rules

The fundamental rule is:

Singular Subject → Singular Verb

Plural Subject → Plural Verb

However, the form of a singular verb in the Simple Present Tense can initially appear confusing.

Singular and Plural Verbs in the Simple Present

With most ordinary verbs:

• singular third-person subject → verb + s/es
• plural subject → base form of verb

Examples:

Therefore:

The boy play football. ✘

The boy plays football. ✔

The boys plays football. ✘

The boys play football. ✔

Agreement with Be

The verb be changes according to the subject.

Present:

Past:

Examples:

• I am ready.
• She is ready.
• They are ready.
• Rahul was absent.
• The students were absent.

Agreement with Have

Use:

• he/she/it/singular noun → has
• I/we/you/they/plural noun → have

Examples:

• Rahul has a car.
• She has completed the work.
• They have a car.
• The students have completed the work.

Agreement with Do

Use:

• he/she/it/singular noun → does
• I/we/you/they/plural noun → do

Examples:

• Rahul does his work.
• They do their work.
• She does not agree.
• They do not agree.

Two Subjects Joined by And

Two or more subjects joined by and normally take a plural verb.

Examples:

• Rahul and Mohan are friends.
• Tea and coffee are available.
• The teacher and the students have arrived.
• Hard work and discipline are necessary for success.

Rule:

Subject + and + Subject → Plural Verb

When Two Nouns Joined by And Refer to One Person

If two nouns refer to the same person, the verb is singular.

Example:

The poet and philosopher has arrived.

Here, one person is both a poet and a philosopher.

Compare:

The poet and the philosopher have arrived.

Here, two different persons are indicated because the article the is repeated.

Another example:

The owner and manager of the company is present.

→ one person performing both roles

The owner and the manager of the company are present.

→ two persons

When Two Ideas Form a Single Unit

Sometimes two nouns joined by and represent one idea, one dish, one activity, or one unit. A singular verb may then be used.

Examples:

• Bread and butter is my usual breakfast.
• Slow and steady wins the race.
• Rice and curry is his usual lunch.

The important point is meaning, not merely the presence of and.

Compare:

Bread and butter are kept on the table.

Here, bread and butter are treated as two separate items.

Words between Subject and Verb

The verb agrees with the main subject, not with a nearby noun.

Example:

The quality of these products is excellent.

Subject:

quality → singular

Not:

products

Therefore:

The quality of these products are excellent. ✘

The quality of these products is excellent. ✔

More examples:

The price of these books is high.

The effects of climate change are serious.

The list of selected candidates has been published.

A useful examination technique is to identify the head word of the subject phrase.

Prepositional Phrases Do Not Normally Control Agreement

Expressions beginning with:

• of
• in
• on
• with
• among
• between

may appear between the subject and verb.

Example:

The box of chocolates is on the table.

Subject = box

Therefore:

is, not are.

Another example:

The students in this class are hardworking.

Subject = students

Therefore:

are.

There + Be

In sentences beginning with there, there is not the real subject. The verb generally agrees with the noun phrase that follows.

Examples:

There is a book on the table.

There are several books on the table.

There was a problem.

There were many problems.

Incorrect:

There is many students in the classroom. ✘

Correct:

There are many students in the classroom. ✔

In informal speech, there’s is sometimes used before plural nouns, but competitive examinations normally expect formal agreement.

Here + Verb

In sentences beginning with here, identify the actual subject.

Examples:

Here is your book.

Here are your books.

Here comes the bus.

Here come the students.

Imperative Sentences

In an imperative sentence, the understood subject is normally you.

Example:

Open the door.

Underlying sense:

(You) open the door.

Collective Nouns

A Collective Noun names a group of persons, animals, or things considered collectively.

Examples:

• committee
• team
• jury
• family
• government
• audience
• class
• staff
• army
• crowd

Agreement depends on whether the group is viewed as one unit or as individual members.

Collective Noun as a Single Unit

When the group acts together as one unit, a singular verb is generally used.

Examples:

The committee has submitted its report.

The team is playing well.

The jury has reached its verdict.

The family lives in Guwahati.

Here, the group is treated as a single entity.

Collective Noun Referring to Individual Members

In British and Indian English, a plural verb may be used when the members of the group are acting individually or separately.

Example:

The committee are divided in their opinions.

Meaning:

The individual members disagree.

Another example:

The team are arguing among themselves.

Compare:

The team is winning the match.

→ team acting as one unit

The team are changing into their uniforms.

→ individual members

For competitive examinations, determine whether the noun represents:

• one unit → singular
• individual members → plural may be appropriate in British/Indian usage

Audience

Compare:

The audience was large.

→ audience considered collectively

The audience were taking their seats.

→ individual members

Family

Compare:

My family is large.

→ family as one unit

My family are discussing their different plans.

→ members individually

Jury

Compare:

The jury has reached a decision.

→ acting collectively

The jury are divided in their opinions.

→ individual members disagree

Certain Nouns with Plural Meaning

Some nouns have a plural meaning and normally take a plural verb.

Important examples:

• police
• cattle
• people

Examples:

The police are investigating the case.

The cattle are grazing in the field.

People are waiting outside.

Incorrect:

The police is investigating the case. ✘

Correct:

The police are investigating the case. ✔

For one police officer, use:

A police officer is…

People vs Peoples

People normally means persons collectively.

Example:

Many people are unemployed.

Peoples can mean distinct nations, ethnic groups, or populations.

Example:

The indigenous peoples of the region have diverse traditions.

Either/Neither

Either and neither require special attention because their agreement changes depending on their grammatical structure.

Either

Either means one or the other of two.

When used alone as the subject in traditional formal grammar, it takes a singular verb.

Example:

Either is acceptable.

With a singular noun:

Either answer is correct.

Neither

Neither means not one and not the other of two.

It normally takes a singular verb in traditional formal grammar.

Example:

Neither answer is correct.

Neither was present.

Either of

Structure:

Either of + plural noun/pronoun + singular verb

Traditional competitive-exam rule:

Either of the two students is eligible.

Not:

Either of the two students are eligible. ✘ in formal exam grammar

The subject is either, not students.

Neither of

Traditional structure:

Neither of + plural noun/pronoun + singular verb

Example:

Neither of the students is absent.

Neither of them has completed the work.

In modern conversational English, plural agreement can sometimes occur after neither of, but competitive examinations generally prefer the singular verb.

Either…Or

When subjects are joined by either…or, agreement traditionally follows the subject nearer to the verb, especially when the subjects differ in number.

Examples:

Either Rahul or Mohan is responsible.

Both subjects are singular.

Either the teacher or the students are responsible.

Nearest subject = students → plural

Either the students or the teacher is responsible.

Nearest subject = teacher → singular

Neither…Nor

The same proximity principle traditionally applies.

Examples:

Neither Rahul nor Mohan is present.

Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.

Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.

For formal writing, sentences that sound awkward can often be rewritten to avoid disagreement.

Either You or I

When subjects differ in person, traditional grammar also follows the nearer subject.

Example:

Either you or I am responsible.

Here, the subject nearest the verb is I, so use am.

However, such constructions may sound awkward. In polished writing, restructuring is often preferable.

Each/Every

Each and every normally take a singular noun and singular verb.

Each

Use:

Each + singular noun + singular verb

Examples:

Each student has a book.

Each candidate is required to sign the form.

Incorrect:

Each students have a book. ✘

Correct:

Each student has a book. ✔

Each of

Structure:

Each of + plural noun/pronoun + singular verb

Examples:

Each of the students has submitted the assignment.

Each of them is ready.

The plural noun after of does not control the verb.

Every

Use:

Every + singular countable noun + singular verb

Examples:

Every student is present.

Every citizen has certain rights.

Incorrect:

Every students are present. ✘

Correct:

Every student is present. ✔

Every One vs Everyone

These expressions should not be confused.

Everyone

→ every person

Example:

Everyone is ready.

Every one

→ each individual person or thing in a particular group

Example:

Every one of these books is useful.

Both normally take a singular verb.

Each and Every

The expression each and every emphasises every individual member.

Example:

Each and every student is responsible.

The verb remains singular.

Each/Every before Two Singular Subjects Joined by And

When each or every precedes singular subjects joined by and, traditional agreement is generally singular because the persons/things are considered individually.

Examples:

Every boy and every girl was given a certificate.

Each student and each teacher was provided with an identity card.

Every + Number + Plural Noun

After every + number, a plural noun can occur.

Examples:

• every two days
• every three weeks
• every four years

Example:

The tournament is held every four years.

The plural noun is part of the time expression.

Many a

Many a has a plural meaning but takes:

many a + singular noun + singular verb

Example:

Many a student has made this mistake.

Incorrect:

Many a students have made this mistake. ✘

Correct:

Many a student has made this mistake. ✔

More Than One

The expression more than one is traditionally followed by a singular noun and singular verb.

Example:

More than one student has failed the examination.

This appears logically plural, but grammatically the conventional structure is singular.

Along with/As well as

Expressions such as along with and as well as do not normally make the subject plural.

The verb agrees with the first/main subject.

Along With

Example:

Rahul, along with his friends, is coming.

Subject = Rahul

Therefore:

is

Incorrect:

Rahul, along with his friends, are coming. ✘

Correct:

Rahul, along with his friends, is coming. ✔

Compare:

Rahul and his friends are coming.

Here, and creates a plural subject.

As Well As

Example:

The teacher, as well as the students, was present.

Subject = teacher

Therefore:

was

Another example:

The students, as well as the teacher, were present.

Subject = students

Therefore:

were

Together With

The same principle applies.

The Prime Minister, together with the ministers, has arrived.

Main subject = Prime Minister

Accompanied By

Example:

The actor, accompanied by his assistants, was present.

In Addition To

Example:

The principal, in addition to the teachers, was invited.

With

When with introduces additional information rather than forming a compound subject, the verb agrees with the main subject.

Example:

The teacher, with all his students, is present.

Including

Example:

The entire class, including the monitor, is present.

Main subject = class

Except

Example:

Everyone except Rahul is ready.

The phrase beginning with except does not change the main subject.

Agreement Rule at a Glance

Expressions such as:

• along with
• as well as
• together with
• accompanied by
• in addition to
• with
• including
• except

generally do not determine the number of the verb.

The verb agrees with the main subject.

Compare:

Rahul and his friends are coming.

but:

Rahul, along with his friends, is coming.

A Number/The Number

The expressions a number of and the number of look similar but take different verbs.

This distinction is frequently tested in competitive examinations.

A Number of

A number of means several/many.

It is followed by a plural noun and normally takes a plural verb.

Structure:

A number of + plural noun + plural verb

Examples:

A number of students are absent.

A number of books have been stolen.

A number of candidates were disqualified.

Think:

A number of = many

Therefore:

A number of students is absent. ✘

A number of students are absent. ✔

The Number of

The number of refers to the actual numerical total.

It normally takes a singular verb.

Structure:

The number of + plural noun + singular verb

Examples:

The number of students is increasing.

The number of applicants has risen significantly.

The number of accidents was unusually high.

Think:

Subject = number

Therefore, singular verb.

Comparison

Examples:

A number of students have applied.

The number of students has increased.

This pair should be memorised.

Advanced Rules

Several special nouns and expressions follow agreement patterns that are frequently tested in error detection, sentence improvement and fill-in-the-blank questions.

One of + Plural Noun

Structure:

One of + plural noun + singular verb

Example:

One of the students is absent.

Incorrect:

One of the student is absent. ✘

Incorrect:

One of the students are absent. ✘

Correct:

One of the students is absent. ✔

Subject = one

One of Those Who…

This construction requires careful attention.

Example:

He is one of those students who work hard.

The relative pronoun who refers to students, so:

who work

not:

who works

Compare:

He is the only one of those students who works hard.

Here, who refers to the only one, so singular works is appropriate.

This distinction is important in advanced examination questions.

A Lot of / Lots of

Agreement depends on the noun that follows.

With plural countable nouns:

A lot of students are absent.

With uncountable nouns:

A lot of money is required.

Similarly:

Lots of books are available.

Lots of information is available.

Plenty of

Agreement depends on the following noun.

Examples:

Plenty of students are willing to participate.

Plenty of water is available.

Some of / Most of / All of / Half of

The verb depends on the noun or pronoun following of.

Examples:

Some of the students are absent.

Some of the water is contaminated.

Most of the books are useful.

Most of the information is correct.

Half of the cake is gone.

Half of the students are absent.

Thus:

Determiner + of + noun → Agreement usually follows the noun

None of

None can take either singular or plural agreement depending on meaning and style.

Examples:

None of the money is missing.

With plural countable nouns:

None of the students are ready.

A singular verb is also possible in more formal or traditional usage:

None of the students is ready.

Therefore, the old rule that none must always be singular is not absolute.

For examinations, consider the noun, intended meaning, and options provided.

Fractions and Percentages

With fractions and percentages, the verb generally agrees with the noun following of.

Examples:

Two-thirds of the land is flooded.

Two-thirds of the students are present.

Fifty percent of the work is complete.

Fifty percent of the employees are absent.

Rule:

Fraction/Percentage + of + Noun → Verb agrees with Noun

Majority

Agreement depends on meaning.

When majority refers to a numerical group collectively, usage may vary.

Example:

The majority of students are in favour of the proposal.

When majority itself is emphasised as a single numerical concept:

A majority is required to pass the motion.

Competitive examinations often prefer plural agreement in:

The majority of + plural noun + plural verb

More Than One

As noted earlier:

More than one + singular noun + singular verb

Example:

More than one candidate has complained.

Many a

Use:

Many a + singular noun + singular verb

Example:

Many a soldier has sacrificed his life for the country.

One or Two

The expression one or two + plural noun normally takes a plural verb.

Example:

One or two students are absent.

Pair Nouns

Certain nouns normally occur in plural form:

• scissors
• trousers
• spectacles
• binoculars
• jeans
• shorts
• pliers

They generally take plural verbs.

Examples:

These scissors are sharp.

My trousers are new.

But:

A pair of scissors is on the table.

This pair of trousers is expensive.

The subject is pair, which is singular.

Nouns Ending in -s but Singular in Meaning

Some nouns end in -s but are treated as singular.

Important examples:

• news
• mathematics
• physics
• economics
• statistics, when referring to the subject
• politics, when referring to the field/activity
• measles

Examples:

The news is encouraging.

Mathematics is my favourite subject.

Physics is difficult for some students.

Economics is an important discipline.

Incorrect:

The news are good. ✘

Correct:

The news is good. ✔

Statistics: Singular and Plural Meanings

Statistics can have different agreement depending on meaning.

As an academic subject:

Statistics is an interesting subject.

As numerical data:

The statistics are alarming.

Meaning determines agreement.

Politics

When referring to the field or activity generally:

Politics is a complicated subject.

When referring to political views or activities in contexts where a plural sense is intended, plural agreement may sometimes occur, but competitive examinations usually test the singular disciplinary sense.

Diseases Ending in -s

Certain disease names are singular.

Example:

Measles is contagious.

Titles of Books, Films, Newspapers, etc.

A title is generally treated as a single unit, even if it appears plural.

Example:

Gulliver’s Travels is a famous work.

The grammatical form of the words in the title does not necessarily determine agreement.

Names of Countries and Organisations

Names that appear plural may be treated as singular when referring to one country, organisation, or entity.

Example:

The United States is a powerful country.

The United Nations is an international organisation.

The entity as a whole is singular.

Amounts of Money

An amount considered as one total sum normally takes a singular verb.

Examples:

Ten thousand rupees is a large amount for him.

Five hundred dollars is enough.

But if individual units are being emphasised, context can permit plural agreement.

Distance

A distance considered as a single measurement normally takes a singular verb.

Example:

Ten kilometres is a long distance to walk.

Time

A period considered as one unit normally takes a singular verb.

Example:

Five years is a long time.

Two hours is enough to complete the examination.

Weight and Measurement

Measurements considered as a single quantity normally take a singular verb.

Examples:

Ten kilograms is too heavy for this bag.

Five litres of water is enough.

Thus:

Money, time, distance, weight or measurement considered as one unit → Singular Verb

The + Adjective

The + adjective can refer to an entire class of people and generally takes a plural verb.

Examples:

The rich are not always happy.

The poor need greater opportunities.

The elderly require proper healthcare.

The unemployed are demanding jobs.

Here:

• the rich = rich people
• the poor = poor people
• the elderly = elderly people

Therefore, plural verb.

Plural Nationality Adjectives

Certain nationality expressions preceded by the refer collectively to the people and take plural agreement.

Examples:

The British are known for their parliamentary traditions.

The French are famous for their cuisine.

Means

Means has the same form in singular and plural.

Singular:

This means of transport is expensive.

Plural:

These means of transport are expensive.

Determine agreement from the context.

Series

Series has the same singular and plural form.

Singular:

This series is interesting.

Plural:

These series are popular.

Species

Similarly:

This species is endangered.

These species are endangered.

Headquarters

Headquarters may look plural but can refer to one headquarters.

Example:

The company’s headquarters is in Delhi.

Plural interpretation is possible when referring to multiple headquarters.

Data

Traditionally, data is the plural of datum.

Traditional scientific/formal usage:

The data are convincing.

However, modern general English frequently treats data as a mass noun:

The data is convincing.

In highly traditional grammar examinations, data are may still be expected.

Furniture, Information, Advice and Equipment

These are normally uncountable nouns and take singular verbs.

Examples:

The furniture is expensive.

The information is useful.

The advice was helpful.

The equipment has arrived.

Incorrect:

The furniture are expensive. ✘

Correct:

The furniture is expensive. ✔

Bread and Butter-Type Expressions

When two nouns joined by and express a single combined idea, singular agreement may be used.

Examples:

Bread and butter is my usual breakfast.

Law and order is an important responsibility of the state.

But agreement depends on whether the writer views the items as one concept or separate things.

Every/Each with Compound Subjects

Correct:

Every boy and every girl is ready.

Correct:

Each officer and each employee has received the notice.

The repeated distributive determiner makes the subjects individual.

Neither…Nor with Different Persons

Traditional proximity agreement:

Neither you nor I am responsible.

Neither I nor you are responsible.

In actual formal writing, such awkward sentences are often better rewritten:

Neither of us is responsible.

Relative Pronouns and Agreement

With who, which, and that, the verb in the relative clause agrees with the antecedent.

Example:

She is one of the students who work hard.

Antecedent of who = students

Therefore:

work

Example:

She is the only student who works hard.

Antecedent = student

Therefore:

works

What as Subject

When what introduces a clause functioning as a subject, agreement depends on the meaning of the complement.

Example:

What we need is more time.

In many constructions, the entire what-clause is treated as a singular unit.

Gerund as Subject

A gerund or gerund phrase functioning as the subject normally takes a singular verb.

Examples:

Swimming is good exercise.

Reading books improves vocabulary.

Walking every morning is beneficial for health.

But two separate gerund activities joined by and may take a plural verb:

Reading and writing are essential skills.

Infinitive as Subject

An infinitive phrase functioning as the subject normally takes a singular verb.

Example:

To travel alone requires courage.

Clause as Subject

A clause functioning as the subject is normally treated as singular.

Example:

What he said was true.

That she won the competition is surprising.

Who as an Interrogative Subject

With who, the verb often follows the expected number of the answer.

Example:

Who is responsible?

Usually a singular form is used when the number is unknown.

But:

Who are those people?

Here, the plural complement makes the plural meaning clear.

The Verb Agrees with the Subject, Not the Complement

Example:

The main problem is poor infrastructure.

Subject = problem → singular

Example:

Poor infrastructure is the main problem.

Subject = poor infrastructure → singular

Another important example:

The cause of these accidents is poor maintenance.

Do not allow the noun nearest the verb to mislead you.

Revision Table

Common Examination Traps

Trap 1 — Nearest Noun

Incorrect:

The quality of the mangoes are good. ✘

Correct:

The quality of the mangoes is good. ✔

Subject = quality.

Trap 2 — A Number vs The Number

A number of students are absent. ✔

The number of students is increasing. ✔

Trap 3 — Along With

Rahul, along with his friends, is coming. ✔

Not are coming.

Trap 4 — Each of

Each of the students has a book. ✔

Not have.

Trap 5 — Either/Neither of

Traditional examination usage:

Either of the answers is correct.

Neither of the answers is correct.

Trap 6 — Police

The police are investigating the case. ✔

Trap 7 — News

The news is shocking. ✔

Trap 8 — One of

One of the students is absent. ✔

Trap 9 — One of Those Who

He is one of those students who work hard. ✔

Trap 10 — More Than One

More than one candidate has applied. ✔

Trap 11 — Many a

Many a student has made this mistake. ✔

Trap 12 — Pair

The scissors are sharp.

but:

This pair of scissors is sharp.

Most Important Rules to Remember

• The verb must agree with the real subject, not necessarily with the noun closest to it.
• Basic rule:
  • Singular Subject → Singular Verb
  • Plural Subject → Plural Verb
• In the Simple Present:
  • He works.
  • They work.
• Two subjects joined by and normally take a plural verb:
  • Rahul and Mohan are friends.
• If two nouns joined by and refer to the same person or one combined idea, singular agreement may be used:
  • The owner and manager is present.
  • Bread and butter is my breakfast.
• Ignore intervening phrases:
  • The quality of these products is excellent.
• A collective noun:
  • as one unit → singular
  • members individually → plural may be used, especially in British/Indian English
• Remember:
  • The police are
  • The cattle are
  • The news is
• Traditional competitive-exam rules:
  • Each is
  • Every is
  • Either is
  • Neither is
  • Each of them is
  • Either of them is
  • Neither of them is
• With either…or and neither…nor, traditional grammar generally follows the nearer subject:
  • Either the teacher or the students are responsible.
  • Either the students or the teacher is responsible.

• Expressions such as:

  • along with
  • as well as
  • together with
  • accompanied by
  • including

  do not normally make the subject plural.

• Remember the extremely important distinction:
  • A number of + plural noun + plural verb
  • The number of + plural noun + singular verb
• Use:
  • One of the students is
  • Many a student has
  • More than one student has
• With some of, most of, all of, half of, percentages and fractions, agreement generally depends on the noun after of:
  • Most of the water is polluted.
  • Most of the rivers are polluted.
  • Fifty percent of the work is complete.
  • Fifty percent of the students are present.
• Measurements treated as a single quantity normally take a singular verb:
  • Ten kilometres is a long distance.
  • Five years is a long time.
  • ₹10,000 is enough.
• The + adjective representing a class of people takes a plural verb:
  • The rich are…
  • The poor are…
  • The elderly are…
• Nouns such as series, species and means may be singular or plural depending on context:
  • This series is…
  • These series are…
• Uncountable nouns take singular agreement:
  • information is
  • advice is
  • furniture is
  • equipment is
• A gerund phrase, infinitive phrase, or subject clause is normally treated as singular:
  • Swimming is beneficial.
  • To forgive is difficult.
  • What he said was true.

A strong command of Subject–Verb Agreement requires students to identify the actual grammatical subject before selecting the verb. In competitive examinations, the most difficult questions are deliberately constructed with intervening nouns, collective nouns, distributive expressions, correlative conjunctions, quantities, and exceptional noun forms to distract the candidate from the real subject.