Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: Essential Grammar Rules & Common Mistakes

Introduction of Subject-Verb Agreement

Read the sentences below:

• Rahim is honest. Rahim and Karim are honest.
• Rahim as well as Karim is honest.

In the first example above, Rahim is the subject, third person singular number. The verb that comes after it is is. In the second sentence, the subject is two people. This is why the verb is are. As well as = and in the third sentence. same meaning But here is is sitting instead of are sitting. So it appears that the verb used depends on the subject. If the correct verb is placed after the correct subject, then it is said that the subject and the verb have agreed with each other. If not, it is said that they did not agree with each other, that is, there is disagreement between their usage. Then the sentence is wrong.

Remember that agreement means “harmony”. Then you can understand how necessary the chapter is.

The verb of a sentence is used according to the number and person of its subject – that is, if the subject is singular, the verb is singular and if the subject is plural, the verb is plural.

• Inc: The colour of his eyes are blue.
• Cor: The colour of his eyes is blue.

Note: Sometimes subject is separated by Preposition Phrase. In that case, the phrase has no role on the subject.

• Inc: The players in the field is taking rest
• Cor: The players in the field are taking rest.

When two or more Singular Nouns or Pronouns are joined by and, their verb and pronoun are plural.

• Inc: Jamal and Kamal has gone to his native village.
• Cor: Jamal and Kamal have gone to their native village.

Exceptions: 

(i) If the Subjects joined by And refer to the same person or thing, their next verb and pronoun are singular.

• Inc: The Headmaster and Secretary are present.
• Cor. The Headmaster and Secretary is present.

But if the two subjects connected by And refer to different persons or things, then the verb is plural.

• Inc: The Headmaster, and the Secretary is present.
• Cor: The Headmaster and the Secretary are present.

(ii) Verb Singular if the Nouns express only one sense even when joined by And.

• Inc: Bread and butter are my favourite breakfast.
• Cor: Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
• Inc: Slow and steady win the race.
• Cor: Slow and steady wins the race.

Exception:

• Inc: Time and tide waits for none.
• Cor: Time and tide wait for none.

(iii) Each of the Singular Nouns connected by And is preceded by each, every or no, the following Verb and Pronoun are Singular.

• Inc: Each boy and each girl have a pen.
• Cor: Each boy and each girl has a pen.
• Inc: Every boy, every girl and every child were welcomed.
• Cor. Every boy, every girl and every child was welcomed.
• Inc: No teacher and no student help the poor boy.
• Cor: No teacher and no student helps the poor boy.

(iv) If no or not is followed by and, the verb is according to the subject before and.

• Inc: Rahman and not his sons have helped me. 
• Cor: Rahman and not his sons has helped me.

With, together with, as well as, along with, in addition to, accompanied by a Noun

When Pronoun is added, the next verb is according to the first subject.

• Inc: Lily as well as her sisters have done well in the examination. 
• Cor: Lily as well as her sisters has done well in the examination.
• Inc: The Headmaster along with the students have planted saplings.  
• Cor: The Headmaster along with the students has planted saplings. 
• Inc: Mr. Azad accompanied by his children have attented the party. 
• Cor: Mr. Azad accompanied by his children has attended the party. 

(i) Verb becomes singular when singular subject is added by either—or, neither…………..nor. 

• Inc: Either he or his brother are guilty.
• Cor: Either he or his brother is guilty.

(ii) If the subject of different number is added by either………..or, neither…………nor, the plural subject comes before the verb and the verb is plural.

• Inc: Neither the chairman nor the members is present.
• Cor: Neither the chairman nor the members are present.

(iii) If the subject joined by either………….or, neither…………..nor is of a different person, then the verb is according to the final subject. 

• Inc: Neither he nor his friends has attended the functioin.
• Cor: Neither he nor his friends have attended the function.

When writing the Noun and Pronoun of different persons together in a sentence, first the 2nd person, then the 3rd person and finally the 1st person sit (231).

• Inc: I, you and Habib are present.
• Cor: You, Habib and I are present.

But if it means admitting guilt, first 1st person, then 3rd person and lastly 2nd person sit (132).

• Inc: You, Habib and I are guilty.
• Cor: I, Habib and you are guilty.

If other Nouns and Pronouns are in 1st person, 1st person pronouns are used instead of them. But if 2nd person and 3rd person are together, the pronoun of 2nd person sits instead of them.

• Inc: My father and I did his best.
• Cor: My father and I did our best.
• Inc: You and your students did their best.
• Cor: You and your students did your best.

Read more about “Grammatical Case“

Collective nouns are usually singular followed by the verb singular.

• Inc: The jury were unanimous in their opinion.
• Cor: The jury was unanimous in its opinion.
• Inc: The family have been living here for four years.
• Cor: The family has been living here for four years.

But if it means Noun of Multitude then plural verb sits after it.

• Inc: The jury was unanimous in its opinion.
• Cor: The jury were unanimous in their opinion.

Note: Noun of Multitude: If each person or part of Collective Noun is indicated individually, it is called Noun of Multitude. Jury-Noun of Multitude in Sentence.

If it means the same length, quantity or place, the subject is plural but the verb is singular.

• Inc: Forty miles are a long way.
• Cor: Forty miles is a long way.
• Inc: Ten maunds are a heavy weight.
• Co: Ten maunds is a heavy weight.

But if the number means Verb Plural

• Inc: Two thirds of the students is present today.
• Cor: Two thirds of the students are present today.

The following Nouns look Singular but are actually Plural and are followed by a Plural Verb. aristocracy, nobility, plergy, cattle, poultry, people, folk, gentry, vermin etc. 

• Inc: Cattle is grazing in the field.
• Cor: Cattle are grazing in the field.
• Inc: The clergy is happy.
• Cor: The clergy are happy.

Although the following Nouns look Plural, they are originally Singular and are followed by a Singular Verb. Mathematics, news, physics, gallows, politics, small pox, whereabouts

• Inc: The news are false.
• Cor: The news is false.

The following Nouns are Plural followed by Plural Verbs. spectacles, seissors, tidings, wages, thanks, ashes, assets, alms, aborigines, amends, auspices, billiards, bowels, eves entrails, measles, mumps, nuptials odds, trousers, shorts, pants, jaws, glasses, pliers, shears, vitals proceeds, annals, bellows, environs etc. 

• Inc: The scissors is blunt.
• Cor: The scissors are blunt. 
• Inc: His spectacles is broken.
• Cor: His spectacles are broken.

But the above Nouns are preceded by Definite Numeral adjectives such as brace, gross, dozen, pair, hundred, thousand, score, fathom, head verb singular.

For example:

• Inc: One dozen of bananas are sufficient. 
• Cor: One dozen of bananas is sufficient. 
• Inc: A pair of shoes are on the table.
• Cor: A pair of shoes is on the table.

Although book names and country names look plural, they are originally singular and singular verbs sit after them.

For example:

• Inc: Gulliver’s Travels are a famous book.
• Cor: Gulliver’s Travels is a famous book.
• Inc: The United States of America are a rich country.
• Cor: The United States of America is a rich country.

Adjective has no plural form but if the adjective is placed before the adjective, the adjective becomes a Plural Common Noun and then the Plural verb is placed.

• Inc: The pious is happy.
• Cor: The pious are happy.

Infinitive, Gerund, Verbal Noun, Clause Phrase Sentence-4 subject then Verb singular.

• Inc: To walk are a good exercise.
• Cor: To walk is a good exercise.
• Inc: Walking are a good exercise.
• Cor: Walking is a good exercise.

Subject and Complement are of different numbers according to verb-subject.

• Inc: The Muslims is a brave nation.
• Cor: The Muslims are a brave nation.

Relative Pronoun is used according to verb antecedent.

• Inc: It is I who is responsible for this.
• Cor: It is I who am responsible for this.

If a sentence begins with the introductory word “there” and is followed by a singular number, then the singular verb is placed after there. And if there is a plural number, there is a plural verb after there.

• Inc: There are a big tree in front of our school. 
• Cor: There is a big tree in front of our school. 
• Inc: There is many schools in our areas. 
• Cor: There are many schools in our areas.

One of the is followed by the verb singular. For example:

• Inc: One of the boys are absent
• Cor: One of the boys is absent.

FAQs of subject – verb agreement

What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the verb in a sentence must correspond in number and person to the subject. For example, a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Why is subject-verb agreement important?
Proper subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear and correct communication. Incorrect agreement can lead to confusion and grammatical errors, affecting the clarity of your writing.

Can a subject separated by a prepositional phrase affect verb agreement?
No, a prepositional phrase between the subject and verb does not affect the verb’s form. The verb should agree with the main subject, not the object of the preposition.

What happens when two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’?
When two singular nouns are joined by “and,” they form a compound subject, which usually requires a plural verb. However, if the nouns refer to the same entity, a singular verb is used.

How does subject-verb agreement work with collective nouns?
Collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group is being considered as a single unit or as individual members.

Are there any exceptions to subject-verb agreement rules?
Yes, there are several exceptions, such as when subjects are joined by “either/or,” “neither/nor,” or when dealing with phrases like “bread and butter” that imply a singular concept.

What are some common subject-verb agreement mistakes?
Common mistakes include mismatching singular subjects with plural verbs, using a plural verb with a collective noun, and incorrect agreement when the subject is separated by a phrase or clause.

How do you ensure subject-verb agreement in complex sentences?
To ensure agreement in complex sentences, identify the main subject and make sure the verb corresponds in number and person. Pay attention to phrases or clauses that might mislead you.

Can subject-verb agreement affect the meaning of a sentence?
Yes, incorrect subject-verb agreement can change the intended meaning of a sentence or make it unclear. Ensuring proper agreement is essential for conveying the correct message.

How do verbs agree with indefinite pronouns like ‘everyone’ or ‘none’?
Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “someone,” and “nobody” are singular and require singular verbs. However, “none” can be singular or plural depending on the context.

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