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
- Confusion with Collective Nouns:
- Many people mistakenly treat collective nouns as plural when referring to the group as a whole.
- Overlooking Compound Subjects:
- Forgetting that compound subjects joined by “and” require plural verbs.
- Mismatching Verb with Indefinite Pronouns:
- Using a plural verb with singular indefinite pronouns like “everyone” or “each.”
- 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
- 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). - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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”). - 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. - 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. - 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.” - 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.” - 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
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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) - 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. - 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).
- 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. - 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.