Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Subject: English Grammar | Topic: Subject-Verb Agreement
For TLT, ECT, PST, JEST & All Competitive Exams
One of the most common grammar mistakes is a mismatch between the subject and the verb of a sentence. Subject-Verb Agreement means the verb must match the subject in number (singular/plural) and person. This is a core, frequently tested area of English Grammar in TLT, ECT, PST, and JEST exams.
The Basic Rule
Example: "She goes to school." (singular) / "They go to school." (plural)
Key Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
Rule 1: Two Subjects Joined by "And"
When two subjects are joined by "and," the verb is usually plural.
Example: Ali and Sara are playing cricket.
Rule 2: Subjects Joined by "Or"/"Nor"
When subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Example: Neither the teacher nor the students were late.
Rule 3: Collective Nouns
Collective nouns (team, class, family, group) usually take a singular verb when treated as one unit.
Example: The team is practicing hard.
Rule 4: Indefinite Pronouns
Words like "each," "every," "either," "neither," "someone," "everyone," and "nobody" always take a singular verb.
Example: Everyone is ready for the exam.
Rule 5: Words Between Subject and Verb
Phrases that come between the subject and verb (like "along with," "as well as," "together with") do not affect the verb's agreement with the subject.
Example: The teacher, along with her students, is going on a trip.
Rule 6: Subjects That Appear Plural but Are Singular
Some nouns look plural but are treated as singular, such as "news," "mathematics," "physics," and "economics."
Example: Mathematics is my favorite subject.
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Two subjects joined by "and" | Ali and Sara are playing. |
| Subjects joined by "or"/"nor" | Neither he nor they were late. |
| Collective nouns | The team is practicing. |
| Indefinite pronouns | Everyone is ready. |
| Words between subject and verb | The teacher, along with her students, is going. |
| Plural-looking singular nouns | Mathematics is interesting. |
Common Mistake to Avoid
Incorrect: "Each of the students have submitted their assignment."
Correct: "Each of the students has submitted their assignment." (because "each" is always singular)
Why This Topic Matters
Subject-Verb Agreement is one of the most frequently tested grammar rules because small mistakes are easy to spot in exam questions. Mastering these rules directly connects to earlier topics like Parts of Speech and Tenses, making it a high-scoring area in TLT, ECT, PST, and JEST exams.
Practice MCQs
1. Choose the correct sentence:
a) Ali and Sara is playing b) Ali and Sara are playing c) Ali and Sara am playing d) Ali and Sara be playing
2. Choose the correct sentence:
a) Everyone are ready b) Everyone is ready c) Everyone am ready d) Everyone were ready
3. Choose the correct sentence:
a) The team are practicing b) The team is practicing c) The team am practicing d) The team be practicing
4. Choose the correct sentence:
a) Mathematics are interesting b) Mathematics is interesting c) Mathematics am interesting d) Mathematics were interesting
5. Choose the correct sentence:
a) Each of the students have submitted b) Each of the students has submitted c) Each of the students are submitting d) Each of the students were submit
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