English / Subject Verb Agreement Rules

Subject Verb Agreement implies that the (subject, verb) of a sentence must be in agreement in number.

Subject Verb Agreement Rules
They are used to make sure that a sentence is grammatically correct.

Examples Explanation
1. The person is playing with his ball.   Sentence subject = ‘person’ Verb used =singular in nature = playing’.
2. The persons are playing with their balls. Sentence subject = ‘persons’ Verb used = plural in nature = playing’.


Subject Verb Agreement 10 Rules

1. Two Subjects are joined with ‘and’ when verb is plural.

Example I and friend went to a cafe.

2. Two singular nouns are joined with ‘and’ if they refer same person/ thing, when verb is singular.

Example
The car owner and along with driver are going to Hyderabad.

3. Pronouns which are Indefinite (no one, nobody, anybody, everyone, each one, someone, somebody, anyone etc.) are singular.

Example
Everyone is selfish.
In the sentence we have not used “are” and not apply to words (many, few, both, several) e.t.c

4. When something / percentage used in plural, a plural verb is used.

Example
20 of every 40 of our team are in the sports form.

5. If Subjects are joined with neither / either with different persons, the verb will agree in person and number with the noun nearest to it.

Example
Neither I nor you don’t know when luck favors’ us.

6. If connectives/appositives (along with, together with, as well as) accompanied by etc. are used to combine two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject mentioned first.

Example
Mr. Ram, accompanied by his wife Sita and his brother, was banished to the forest.

7. Usage of “A number of” or “ the number”

A number Countable noun = plural.
The number Countable noun = singular.


Example
A number of people are dancing in the dance compitation.

8. Units of measurement / time is done by singular verb form

Example
Nine liters of water is there in the tub.

9. With countable noun if we use any word like ‘both, all, some, few, many, several’, then the verb is plural.

Example
All people are needed for pushing the stopped vehicle.

10. With uncountable noun if we use any word like ‘both, all, some, few, many, several’, then the verb is singular.

Example
Some milk has spoiled.


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