Subject–Verb Concord
Subject–verb concord (agreement) means that the verb must agree with its subject in number and person. A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. Most errors happen when words come between the subject and the verb, or when the subject looks plural but is grammatically singular (or the reverse).
Basic Rule
| Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular (he/she/it, one thing) | Singular (V1 + s/es, is, was, has) | The boy plays football. |
| Plural (they, many things) | Plural (V1, are, were, have) | The boys play football. |
Important Rules with Examples
Rule 1: Two subjects joined by "and"
Normally take a plural verb: Ravi and Mohan are friends. But if the two nouns refer to one person or one idea, the verb is singular: Bread and butter is my breakfast. The poet and teacher has arrived (one person).
Rule 2: Words between subject and verb
Phrases with with, along with, together with, as well as, in addition to, besides do not change the number of the subject: The captain, along with the players, was present.
Rule 3: Either…or / Neither…nor
The verb agrees with the subject nearer to it (rule of proximity): Neither the teacher nor the students were late. Either the students or the teacher is to blame.
Rule 4: Indefinite pronouns
Each, every, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, either, neither — all take a singular verb: Each of the boys was given a prize. Everybody loves a holiday.
Rule 5: Collective nouns
Team, committee, jury, family, crowd, class take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit: The jury has given its verdict. They take a plural verb when members act individually: The jury are divided in their opinions.
Rule 6: Uncountable and "false plural" nouns
| Type | Nouns | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plural-looking, singular meaning | news, physics, mathematics, economics, politics, measles | Singular | The news is true. |
| Singular-looking, plural meaning | cattle, police, people, children, gentry | Plural | The police have arrested him. |
| Pair nouns | scissors, trousers, spectacles, shoes | Plural | My spectacles are broken. |
| Uncountable | furniture, advice, information, luggage, hair | Singular | The furniture was expensive. |
Rule 7: Amounts, distances and titles
A unit of money, time, distance or weight takes a singular verb: Five hundred rupees is a small amount. Ten kilometres is a long walk. Titles of books/films are singular: "Gulliver's Travels" is interesting.
Rule 8: "One of", "A number of", "The number of"
- One of + plural noun + singular verb: One of my friends lives in Delhi.
- A number of + plural noun + plural verb: A number of students were absent.
- The number of + plural noun + singular verb: The number of cars has increased.
Rule 9: "There" and "Here" sentences
The verb agrees with the noun that follows: There is a book on the table. There are two books on the table.
Rule 10: Relative pronouns
After who, which, that, the verb agrees with the antecedent: She is one of the girls who sing well.
Common Errors
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| The quality of the mangoes were good. | The quality of the mangoes was good. |
| Each of the players have a jersey. | Each of the players has a jersey. |
| Neither of the answers are correct. | Neither of the answers is correct. |
| The cattle is grazing in the field. | The cattle are grazing in the field. |
| Mathematics are my favourite subject. | Mathematics is my favourite subject. |
| My father as well as my uncle are coming. | My father as well as my uncle is coming. |