If you are searching for Subject Verb Agreement Rules with examples and exercises, this post will help you to understand this topic in details. Subject verb agreement is a part of English Grammar.
Syntax is also called Subject and Verb Agreement. As the name shows this topic, this is the concord of subject and verb in a sentence. Subject must be used according to the verb and verb must be used according to subject.
This is the simple rule that the singular subject takes singular verb whereas plural subject takes plural verb. These rules have exceptions.
Subject Verb Agreement Rules in Detail
We have shared 30 most used Subject Verb Agreement Rules.
Rule – 1
➤ A singular subject always takes a singular verb.
Ex. The student was very intelligent. (Correct)
Ex. The student were very intelligent. (incorrect)
Rule – 2
➤ ‘I’ (= personal pronoun) is used as a singular subject but it always takes a singular or plural verb.
Ex. I have a note-book. (Correct)
Ex. I go to school everyday. (Incorrect)
Rule – 3
➤ You’ (= personal pronoun) is used as singular or plural subject but it always takes a plural verb.
Ex. You are a manager. (correct)
Ex. You are players. (Incorrect)
Rule – 4
➤ Pair words as bread and butter, rice and curry, rice and fish, hammer and sickle, slow and steady, truth and honesty, horse and carriage, crown and glory, rise and fall, coming and going, screaming and shouting, age and experience, eggs and bacon, ham, and eggs, long and short, sum and substance, bag and baggage etc., are used as the subject of the sentence, it expresses one thing or idea. It always takes a singular verb.
Ex. Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast. (correct)
Ex. Rice and fish are my favourite lunch. (Incorrect)
Rule – 5
➤ A suppositional sentence often starts with ‘if, ‘as if, ‘as through’, if only’, ‘suppose’, ‘I wish’, ‘we wish’, ‘he wishes’, ‘she wishes,’ … etc. It expresses supposition or Impossible condition. In this sentence, a singular or plural subject always takes plural verb-were.
Ex. If he were my father, he would slept me for that mistake. (Correct)
Ex. If he was my friend, he would help me. (Incorrect)
Rule – 6
➤ If two singular nouns are jointed by ‘and’ and the first singular noun is preceded by articles (a/an/the) or possessive adjectives (as-my, your, our, his, her, …… etc.) are used as the subject of the sentence, it expresses the same person. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. My uncle and guardian has come to see me. (correct)
Ex. My uncle and guardian have come to see me. (Incorrect)
Rule – 7
➤ If two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’ and articles or possessive adjectives are used before each singular noun are used as the subject of the sentence, it refers to two different persons, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. A dramatist and a performer have come. (Correct)
Ex. A saint and a philosopher has come. (Incorrect)
Rule – 8
➤ If two or more than two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’ and each or every is used before the first singular noun or each singular noun are used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. Every man and woman is laborious. (Correct)
Ex. Every man and every woman is laborious. (Correct)
Ex. Every boy and every girl are laborious. (Incorrect )
Rule – 9
➤ Each + singular countable noun is used as the subject of the sentence. It functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. Each student has a notebook. (Correct)
Ex. Each student have a notebook. (Incorrect)
Rule – 10
➤ If two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’ and used as the subject of the sentence, it always takes a plural verb.
Ex. A boy and a girl love each other. (Correct)
Ex. A boy and a girl loves each other. (Incorrect)
Rule – 11
➤ If two adjectives are joined by ‘and’ and an indefinite article (= a/an) is also used before the first adjective used = coming before a singular common noun is used as the subject of the sentence, it expresses the same person, thing or idea. It functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. A black and white cow was grazing.
Ex. A black and white cow were grazing.
Rule – 12
➤ If two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’ and used as the subject of the sentence, it always takes a plural verb.
Ex. A boy and a girl love each other.
Ex. A boy and a girl loves each other.
Rule – 13
➤ Each of + plural noun/plural pronoun is also used as the subject of the sentence. It functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. Each of the teachers is disciplined. (Correct)
Ex. Each of the teachers are disciplined. (Incorrect)
Rule – 14
➤ Plural noun/plural pronoun + each is used as the subject of the sentence. It functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. They each have a bicycle. (Correct)
Ex. They each has a bicycle. (Incorrect)
Rule – 15
➤ Either’ is used as the subject of the sentence. It functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. There are two horses here, and either runs fast. (Correct)
Ex. There are two horses here, and either run fast. (Incorrect)
Rule – 16
➤ Either of + plural noun/plural pronoun is used as the subject of the sentence. It functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. Either of them was criminal. (Correct)
Ex. Either of them were criminal. (Incorrect)
Rule – 17
➤ Neither’ is used as the subject of the sentence. It functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. There are two girls in the class, but neither is intelligent. (Correct)
Ex. There are two girls in the class, but neither are intelligent. (Incorrect)
Rule – 18
➤ Neither of + plural noun/plural pronoun is used as the subject of the sentence. It functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. Neither of the terrorists has been arrested. (Correct)
Ex. Neither of the terrorists have been arrested. (Incorrect)
Rule – 19
➤ If the pronouns of three persons are joined by ‘and’ and used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb. In good sense, ‘the sequence of three persons’ pronouns – 231 is followed.
Ex. You, he and I are good friends. (Correct)
Ex. You, he and I am good friends. (Incorrect)
Ex. Manorama and he were present there. (correct)
Ex. Mohan and he was present there (Incorrect)
Rule – 20
➤ Many’, ‘a good many’ or ‘a great many’ is used in the sense of ‘a large number of for expressing indefinite number’. If many, a good many or a great many is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. Many students have eaten their lunch. (Correct)
Ex. Many students has eaten their lunch. (Incorrect)
Rule – 21
➤ Many/a great many/a good many + plural noun is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. A good many kittens are naughty. (Correct)
Ex. A good many kittens is naughty. (Incorrect)
Rule – 22
➤ Many of/a great many of/a good many of + plural noun/plural pronoun is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. A great many of them were intelligent. (Correct)
Ex. A great many of them was intelligent. (Incorrect)
Rule – 23
➤ Many a/many an + singular countable noun is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb, not a plural verb.
Ex. Many a mano was rotten. (Correct)
Ex. Many a mango were rotten. (Incorrect)
Rule – 24
➤ Indefinite pronouns as – Everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody, everyone, someone, anyone, no one are used for indefinite persons. If these indefinite pronouns are used as the subjects of the sentence, they function as singular subjects. So, they take singular verb.
Ex. Everyone wants to live happy life. (Correct)
Ex. Everyone want to live happy life (Incorrect)
Rule – 25
➤ Indefinite pronouns as-everything, something, anything, nothing are used for indefinite (= uncertain) things. If these indefinite pronouns are used as the subjects of the sentence, they function as singular subjects. So, they take singular verbs.
Ex. Everything is possible in the world. (Correct)
Ex. Everything are possible in the world. (Incorrect)
Rule – 26
➤ If an indefinite pronoun ‘one’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. One was industrious. (Correct)
Ex. One were industrious. (Incorrect)
Rule – 27
➤ ‘A number of, ‘a large number of, ‘a great number of and large numbers of are used in the sense of ‘many’ for expressing indefinite number. After these phrases, only plural nouns are used. If a number of/a large number of/a great number of/large numbers of + plural noun is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. A number of members were present. (Correct)
Ex. A number of members was present. (Incorrect)
Rule – 28
➤ The amount of, ‘a large amount of, ‘a great deal of and ‘a good deal of are used in the sense of ‘a lot’ or much for expressing indefinite quantity. If the amount of /a large amount of/ a great deal of/ a good deal of + singular uncountable noun is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. The amount of sugar is not sufficient. (Correct)
Ex. The amount of sugar are are not sufficient. (Incorrect)
Rule – 29
➤ If both, several or various is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. There are two students in my flat and both are extremely intelligent. (Correct)
Ex. There are two students in my flat and both is extremely intelligent. (Incorrect)
Rule – 30
➤ If both/several/various + plural noun is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. Both girls are beautiful.
Ex. Several students are absent.
Ex. Various boys are present.
Rule – 31
➤ If few, a few or very few is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. Many were punished but a few were guilty.
Ex. Many were punished but a few was guilty.
Rule – 32
➤ If few/a few/very few + plural nouns are used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. Very few girls are laborious. (Correct)
Ex. Very few girls is laborious. (Incorrect)
Rule – 33
➤ If few of/a few of/very few of + plural noun/plural pronoun is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions, as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. Few of these cars are in order. (Correct)
Ex. Few of these cars is in order. (Incorrect)
Rule – 34
➤ If ‘none’ or ‘none of + singular uncountable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. None has finished yet. (Correct)
Ex. None of this is yours. (Correct)
Rule – 35
➤ If ‘all’ is used in the sense of ‘everything’, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. All is ready. (Correct)
Ex. All are ready. (Incorrect)
Rule – 36
➤ If ‘no + singular uncountable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. No work has been done (Correct)
Ex. No work have been done. (Incorrect)
➤ If ‘no + singular countable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. No man was available. (Correct)
Ex. No men were available. (Incorrect)
➤ If ‘no + plural countable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a plural subject. So, it takes a plural verb.
Ex. No cows were available. (Correct)
Ex. No cows was available. (Incorrect)
Rule – 37
➤ If little/a little/the little + singular uncountable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. A little work has been done. (Correct)
Ex. A little work have been done. (Incorrect)
➤ If little of/a little of/the little of + singular uncountable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. A little of the grass has been sold. (Correct)
Ex. A little of the grass have been sold. (incorrect)
➤ If little of/a little of/the little of + it/this/ that/ everything’ used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. A little of it was described. (Correct)
Ex. A little of it were described. (Incorrect)
Rule – 38
➤ If ‘much/not much + singular uncountable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. Much sugar has been sold. (Correct)
Ex. Much sugar have been sold. (Incorrect)
➤ If ‘much of/not much of + singular uncountable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex: Not much of the money has been spent. (Correct)
Ex. Not much of the money have been spent. (Incorrect)
Rule – 39
➤ If ‘one-third of/two-thirds of/three-fourths of/the rest of/a quarter of/part of/ten per cent of, twenty per cent of, thirty percent of …… etc./ most/most of/some/some of/half half of/enough/ enough of/not enough of/plenty of/a lot of/lots of + singular uncountable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it takes a singular verb.
Ex. One-third of the milk is yet to be sold. (correct)
Ex. Half of the land is irrigated. (Correct)
Ex. Half of the land are irrigated. (Incorrect)
Rule – 40
➤ If ‘the percentage of + singular uncountable noun/ plural countable noun’ is used as the subject of the sentence, it functions as a singular subject. So, it always takes a singular verb.
Ex. The percentage of expert plumbers is very small. (Correct)
Ex. The percentage of expert plumbers are very small. (Incorrect)
Common errors, fill in the blanks, sentence correction questions are asked in the exams. All you need to read these subject and verb agreement rules and practice them properly.
