The Complete Guide to Subject-Verb Agreement: Mastering Grammar for Exams


Introduction to Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement is one of the fundamental rules in English grammar that ensures the subject and verb in a sentence match in number and person. When constructing sentences, the subject must agree with the verb in terms of singular or plural form.

Why it Matters:
Correct subject-verb agreement is crucial for clarity and correctness in communication. It is a key area often tested in grammar-based exams. Understanding the rules and applying them properly is essential for both written and spoken English.


Key Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

1. Basic Agreement Rule:

  • A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Examples:

  • Singular: She runs every morning.
  • Plural: They run every morning.

2. When the Subject is a Collective Noun:

  • Collective nouns (e.g., team, group, family) are usually treated as singular when referring to the group as a whole, and plural when referring to the individuals within the group.

Examples:

  • Singular: The team is winning the game.
  • Plural: The team are discussing their strategies.

3. Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns:

  • Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, anyone, each, somebody, etc., are usually treated as singular.

Examples:

  • Everyone is happy with the results.
  • Each of the students has a book.

4. Agreement with Compound Subjects:

  • When the subject consists of two or more nouns joined by “and,” it takes a plural verb.
  • When the subject is joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the noun closest to it.

Examples:

  • And (Compound Subject): Jack and Jill are going up the hill.
  • Or/Nor (Compound Subject): Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.

5. Agreement with Fractions and Percentages:

  • When fractions or percentages are used, the verb agrees with the noun following “of” if it’s clear whether the noun is singular or plural.

Examples:

  • Fifty percent of the cake is gone.
  • Fifty percent of the books are missing.

6. Agreement with Subjects Joined by “Either/Neither”:

  • If “either” or “neither” is used with a subject, the verb is usually singular.

Examples:

  • Either the teacher or the student has to present the paper.
  • Neither my mother nor my father was home.

7. Agreement with Inverted Sentences:

  • In sentences where the subject follows the verb (such as in questions or when starting with there is/there are), the verb still agrees with the subject.

Examples:

  • There are many people in the room.
  • Is there anyone available for the meeting?

Applications of Subject-Verb Agreement

  • In Writing: Correct subject-verb agreement is essential for formal writing, academic papers, and business communication.
  • In Speaking: Consistently using proper subject-verb agreement helps in sounding professional and clear while speaking.
  • In Exams: Often, subject-verb agreement is tested in both grammar sections and in writing tasks. Incorrect agreement can lead to losing marks in exams.

Common Mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement

  1. Confusion with Collective Nouns:
    • Many people mistakenly treat collective nouns as plural when referring to the group as a whole.
  2. Overlooking Compound Subjects:
    • Forgetting that compound subjects joined by “and” require plural verbs.
  3. Mismatching Verb with Indefinite Pronouns:
    • Using a plural verb with singular indefinite pronouns like “everyone” or “each.”
  4. Inconsistent Agreement with “Or” and “Nor”:
    • Failing to use a verb that agrees with the closest subject when using “or” or “nor.”

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers

  1. Choose the correct form of the verb: “Neither the teacher nor the students _______ prepared for the lesson.” a) is
    b) are
    c) were
    Answer: b) are
    Explanation: When subjects are joined by “nor,” the verb agrees with the closest subject, which is plural (students).
  2. Choose the correct form of the verb: “Each of the students _______ responsible for their own work.” a) is
    b) are
    c) were
    Answer: a) is
    Explanation: “Each” is singular, so the verb must be singular.
  3. Which sentence has the correct subject-verb agreement? a) The books is on the shelf.
    b) The book are on the shelf.
    c) The books are on the shelf.
    Answer: c) The books are on the shelf.
    Explanation: “Books” is plural, so the verb “are” is correct.
  4. Choose the correct verb: “Fifty percent of the cake _______ already eaten.” a) is
    b) are
    c) was
    Answer: a) is
    Explanation: “Cake” is singular, so the singular verb “is” is used.
  5. Which of the following is correct? a) Neither my friends nor I was able to attend the event.
    b) Neither my friends nor I were able to attend the event.
    Answer: b) Neither my friends nor I were able to attend the event.
    Explanation: The verb “were” agrees with the closest subject (“I”).
  6. Choose the correct form of the verb: “The committee _______ divided on the issue.” a) is
    b) are
    Answer: a) is
    Explanation: “Committee” is treated as singular when referring to the group as a whole.
  7. Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement? a) The team have won the match.
    b) The team has won the match.
    Answer: b) The team has won the match.
    Explanation: “Team” is a collective noun and takes a singular verb.
  8. Choose the correct form of the verb: “The teacher, along with the students, _______ coming to the event.” a) is
    b) are
    c) were
    Answer: a) is
    Explanation: The phrase “along with” does not change the agreement, so the verb agrees with the singular subject “teacher.”
  9. Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement? a) Neither of the boys like pizza.
    b) Neither of the boys likes pizza.
    Answer: b) Neither of the boys likes pizza.
    Explanation: “Neither” is singular, so the verb is “likes.”
  10. Choose the correct verb: “My friends or I _______ going to the concert.” a) am
    b) is
    c) are
    Answer: a) am
    Explanation: “I” takes the singular verb “am,” even when preceded by “or.”

Long Descriptive Questions with Answers

  1. What is subject-verb agreement, and why is it important in English grammar? Answer:
    Subject-verb agreement refers to the rule that the subject and the verb in a sentence must agree in number and person. It is important because it ensures grammatical correctness, clarity, and coherence in sentences, which is vital for effective communication.
  2. Explain the subject-verb agreement rule when the subject is a collective noun. Answer:
    Collective nouns like “team,” “family,” or “group” are generally treated as singular when referring to the group as a whole. However, when focusing on the individuals within the group, they can be treated as plural.
  3. How does subject-verb agreement work when subjects are joined by “or” or “nor”? Answer:
    When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. If the subject closest to the verb is singular, the verb is singular; if plural, the verb is plural.
  4. What happens to subject-verb agreement when dealing with indefinite pronouns like “everyone” or “each”? Answer:
    Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “each,” and “somebody” are singular and require singular verbs, even though they may refer to multiple people or things.
  5. Discuss the challenges in subject-verb agreement when using fractions or percentages. Answer:
    When using fractions or percentages, the verb agrees with the noun following “of.” If the noun is singular, the verb is singular; if plural, the verb is plural.
  6. Provide examples where subject-verb agreement changes when a sentence begins with “there is/there are.” Answer:
    “There is a problem in the system.” (singular subject)
    “There are several problems in the system.” (plural subject)
  7. How do compound subjects affect subject-verb agreement? Answer:
    When a subject consists of multiple nouns joined by “and,” it takes a plural verb. If the compound subject is joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the noun closest to it.
  8. Explain subject-verb agreement in inverted sentences. Answer:
    In inverted sentences, where the subject follows the verb

, the rule of agreement still applies. For example, “Is there a teacher in the room?” (singular subject).

  1. Describe the correct subject-verb agreement in a sentence with a collective noun. Answer:
    “The jury has reached its verdict.” (singular subject, collective noun)
    The verb “has” is used because the group is acting as a whole.
  2. Why do errors in subject-verb agreement commonly occur in English, and how can they be avoided? Answer:
    Errors often occur due to misunderstanding collective nouns, compound subjects, or irregular subject-verb agreement rules. To avoid mistakes, it’s essential to understand the subject’s number and person before selecting the verb.

 

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