2. Subject-Verb Agreement
▪ We always have to choose the verbs that suit
the subjects.
▪ If the subject of a verb is singular in nature, we
cannot choose a verb which is plural and
viceversa.
3. (And) Rule A
• Two or more singular subjects connected by
“and” usually take a verb in plural. Such as:
1- Hari and Rama are here.
2- Fire and water do not agree.
3-Hari, Rama and Govind go to same school.
4- Rustam and Sohrab were Persian heroes.
5- He and his friend have arrived.
4. (And) Rule A (1)
• If two singular nouns refers to the same
person or thing, the verb must be singular.
Such as:
1- My friend and benefactor has come.
2- The orator and statesman is dead.
3- The captain and adjutant was dead.
4- By the death of Gokhale a great statesman
and patriot waslost to India.
5. (And) Rule A (1) cont.
• Note. The articles is used once when the two
nouns refers to the same person. If different
persons were referred to , the article would be
used before each noun, and the verb would be
plural. Such as:
1- The orator and the statesman are dead.
6. Rule B
• If two subjects together express one idea, the
verb may be in singular. Such as:
1- Bread and milk is his only food.
2- The horse and carriage is at the door.
3-The long and the short of the matter is this.
4-Slow and steady winsthe race.
5- Early to bed and early to rise makes a man
healthy, wealthy and wise.
7. Rule C
• If the singular subjects are preceded by each
or every the verb is usually singular. Such as:
1- Every boy and girl wasready.
2- Each day and each hour bringsits duty.
3- Every man, woman and child waslost.
4- Every man and woman in the village was
present at the festival.
8. Or ,Nor Rule 1
• Two or more singular subjects connected by “or”,
“nor”, “either…..or”, “ neither…. Nor” take a verb
in the singular. Such as:
1- No nook or corner was left unexplored.
2- Neither he nor I was there.
3- Either Abdul or Amir has stolen the watch.
4- Neither Rama nor his sister was here.
5- Neither food nor water was to be found there.
6- Neither praise nor blame seems to affect him.
9. Or ,Nor Rule 1 (A)
• When the singular subjects joined by “or”’ “nor”
are of different numbers, the verb must be plural
and the plural subject must be placed near to the
verb because the verb agrees in persons with the
one nearest to it. Such as:
1- Rama or his brothers have done this.
2- Neither the head master nor the assistant
masters were present.
Cont……
10. Or ,Nor Rule 1 (A) cont.
3. Neither Rama nor his friends were hurt.
4. Either the boy or his parents have erred.
5. Either he or I am mistaken. ( Either he is
mistaken, or I am.)
6- Neither you nor he is to blame. ( He is not to
lame, nor are you.)
11. “And” Singular+ Plural
• When subjects differing in number, or person,
or both, are connected by “and”, the verb
must always be in plural. Such as:
1- He and I are well.
2- My father and I have visited the Zoo.
3- You and he are birds of same feather.
4- You and I have done our duty.
12. Collective Noun
• A collective noun takes a singular verb when
the collection is thought of as a whole: a
plural verb when the individuals of which it is
composed are thought of. Such as:
1- The council has chosen its President.
2- The committee was agreed on the main
question.
3- The military were called out.
4- A number of boys were caught copying.
13. Plural form
• Some nouns which are plural in form but
singular in meaning, takes a singular verb.
Such as:
1- The newsis true.
2- Mathematicsis a branch of study in every
school.
3- The wages of sin is death.
14. Singular form
• Some nouns which are singular in form but
plural in meaning, take a plural verb. Such as:
1- According to the present market rate twelve
dozen cost one hundred rupees.
15. Each …. slide
• When a plural noun comes between a singular
subject and its verb , don’t agree with the
nearest plural noun but with the real subject.
Such as:
1- Each of the sisters is clever.
2- Neither of the men was very tall.
3- A variety of pleasing objects charmsthe eye.
4- The quality of mangoes was not good.
16. Parenthetical
• Words joined to singular subject by “with”,
“together with”, “in addition to” or “as well
as”, etc. are parenthetical , and therefore do
not affect the number of verb. Such as:
1- The chief, with all his men, was massacred.
2- Justice as well as mercy allows it.
17. Exercise-1
Diabetes is/are a silent killer.
I like Physics. It is/are an interesting subject.
Statistics prove/proves that our population is still
growing at an alarming rate.
The Jury gave its/their verdict in an unbiased manner.
Politics today has/have degenerated awfully.
For achieving success we sometimes employ means
which is/are unfair.
What’s the matter with this Institute? Why is/are its
premises always locked?
18. Correct Usage Ex-1
Diabetes is a silent killer.
I like Physics. It is an interesting subject.
Statistics prove that our population is still growing
at an alarming rate.
The Jury gave its verdict in an unbiased manner.
Politics today has degenerated awfully.
For achieving success we sometimes employ
means which are unfair.
What’s the matter with this Institute? Why are its
premises always locked?
19. Exercise-2
▪ Neither the monk nor the pupils know/knows
about the mystery of life.
▪ Either the poet or the thinker are/is likely to
chair the session.
▪ Neither the teacher nor the students is/are
expected to come today.
▪ Either you or your team members is /are to be
blamed for the failure of the project.
20. Correct Usages Ex-2
▪ Neither the monk nor the pupils know about
the mystery of life.
• Either the poet or the thinker is likely to chair
the session.
• Neither the teacher nor the students are
expected to come today.
▪ Either you or your team members are to be
blamed for the failure of the project
