Subject Verb Agreement - Concord
The subject of a sentence should always match the verb describing its action. The subject-verb agreement is easy in simple sentences and it can become tricky in complex sentence. By learning this rules we can avoid the common mistakes made in our conversation.
Rule:1
Singular Subject always take a singular verb.
(eg) He is writing.
I am reading book.
Singular | Verb |
I He She It
|
Am Is was |
Rule:2
Plural Subject always take a plural Verb.(eg) We are writing.
Yesterday they were playing cricket.
Plural | Verb |
You We They |
Are (present tense)Were (past tense) |
Rule: 3
When any two dissimilar subjects are connected by AND, the subject agrees with a Plural Verb.
(eg) Ram and I are going to Nagercoil.
The dog and its puppies are going there.
Rule: 4
When any two similar objects are connected by AND, the Subject agrees with a singular.
(eg) Our CM and AIADMK Secretary is going to Delhi. (one person)
Our secretary and treasurer is Dr. James. (one person)
Rule: 5
When any two Subject are connected by phrases like along with, together with, with its or as well as, the Verb agrees with the first Subject.
(eg) The tree along with its branches is cut down.
The dog with its puppies is going there.
The cups as well as the saucers are broken.
Rule: 6
When any two dissimilar Subjects are connected by ‘OR’ the Verb agrees the ‘nearby’ Subject.
(eg) Mr. Chockalingam or some other trainees are expected in our class.
Some Other trainees or Mr. Chockalingam is expected in our class.
Rule: 7
Indefinite pronouns (Somebody, someone, anyone, everyone, none, nobody, none, everything, many, few, several, both) always agrees with the Plural Verb.
(eg) None are so deaf as those who will not hear.
Both of the twins are intelligent.
Rule: 8
Many, always, all takes a plural Verb.
(eg) Many computers were bought.
All of them are good.
Rule: 9
Either, neither, each, everyone, many a, and must should be followed by a singular Verb.
(eg) Either of the applicants was suitable.
Neither of the two men was very strong.
Each of these substances is found in India.
Everyone of the prisons is full.
Many a man does not know his own good deeds.
Rule: 10
Some nouns which are plural in forms but singular in meaning, take a singular Verb.
(eg) The news is true.
The wages of sin is death.
Mathematics is a branch of study in every school.
Rule: 11
When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, the Verb is generally Singular.
(eg) Fifteen minutes is allowed to each Speaker.
Ten Kilometers is a long walk.
Fifty thousand rupees is a large sum.
Three parts of the business is left for me to do.
Rule: 12
Two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by and, require a Singular Verb.
(eg) Every boy and every girl was given a packet of sweets.
Every man and every woman was given a packet of sweets.
Rule: 13
When using numbers, percentages or proportions, the correct form of verb agreement depends on exactly what you’re referring to.
(eg) Only 25% of the measurements are reliable.
Three meters of wire surrounds the core.
Over 300 civilians reside in the area.
Rule: 14
Abbreviations and acronyms usually take a singular verb. If you’re unsure, check if the full version of the acronym or abbreviation is a singular, plural or collective noun, and refer to the rules above. It’s most important to use one form of agreement consistently.
(eg) The country’s GDP correlates with its birth rate.
TCS is thinking of redoing the website.
The RPM falls rapidly.
Rule:15
Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular and take a singular verb. Some examples are "group," "team," "committee," "family," and "class."
(eg) The group meets every week.
The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.
dedicated to
Mr. Chockalingam
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