KOLAR
SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT�
The rules for the way words and expressions are combined into clauses and sentences is called Syntax.
There are two parts of Syntax:
SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT�
There are two parts of a sentence:
e.g.: Subject --- Predicate
Rajiv plays.
He is here.
The rich are seldom happy.
AGREEMENT�
There are two types of Agreement:
Ex: Two boys were in this room.
b) Notional: It is as opposed to formal concord.
Ex: News is good.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 01:
When two subjects are joined by ‘and’, the verb is plural.
For example:
My friend and his mother are in town.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 02:
When two singular nouns joined by ‘and’ refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular.
�For example:
The captain and coach of the team has been sacked.
The Principal and chairman of school is presiding over the meeting.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 03:
Indefinite pronouns (everyone, each one, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody etc.) are always singular.
For example: Everyone is selfish.
Nobody was ready to attend.
Somebody is calling you.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 03: Exception
This rule does not apply to: few, many, several, both, all, some.
For example: Few are absent.
Both were qualified.
Some are with you.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 04:
When the percentage or a part of something is mentioned with plural meaning the plural verb is used.
For example : i)40 of every 100 children are agreeing.
ii) 25 out of 100 customers are from middle class.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 05:
When the subjects joined by ‘either or’ or ‘neither nor’ are of different persons, the verb will agree in person and number with the noun nearest to it.
For example:
Neither you nor your dogs know how to behave.
Always remember that, when either and neither are used as pronouns, they are treated as singular and always take the singular verb.
For example :
Either of the books is fine for NTSE preparation.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 06:
If connectives/appositives like along with, together with, as well as, accompanied by etc. are used to combine two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject mentioned first.
For example: i) Teachers along with Hema were going to attend the programme.
ii)Mr. Ram, accompanied by his wife Sita and his brother, was banished to the forest.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 07:
A number of/ the number or ‘A number of (some countable noun)’ is always plural. ‘The number of (some countable noun)’ is always singular.
For example: i) A number of students are going on the trip.
ii) The number of participants is unlimited.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 08:
When any of ‘few, many, several, both, all, some’ is used with a countable noun, the verb is plural.
For example: i) Some men are needed for the battle.
ii) All books were very old .
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 09:
When any of ‘few, many, several, both, all, some’ is used with an uncountable noun, the verb is singular.
For example: i) Some milk is spoilt.
ii) All sugar was wet.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 10:
Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms the background of the concept.
For example:
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 11:
When two or more than two singular subjects are joined then the verb will be plural.
For example:
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 12:
When two or more than two singular nouns are joined and they symbolize one theme / item then the verb will be singular.
For example:
i) Slow and steady wins the race.
ii) Time and tide waits for no one.
ii) Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 13:
If “singular collective noun + of + plural noun comes then singular verb is used.
For example:
i) A set of pens was bought.
ii) A team of students has been selected.
ii) A crowd of students is waiting outside.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 14:
If “Plural countable noun” comes after “A lot of , lots of, a great deal of and plenty of” then plural verb is used.
For example:
i) A lot of boys like it.
ii) Plenty of apples were on the table.
ii) A great deal of things are there.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 15:
If “Plural uncountable noun” comes after “A lot of , lots of, a great deal of and plenty of” then singular verb is used.
For example:
i) A lot of tea is in the cup.
ii) Plenty of sugar was on the table.
ii) A great deal of time is lost.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 16:
Words like “Luggage , furniture, advice, information, food, work, knowledge, equipment, fruit, apparatus, behaviour , scenery, traffic, electricity, dust, music, progress, weather , non-sense” are always singular. Hence Singular verb is used.
For example:
i) All my furniture is new.
ii) All your advice is good.
ii) All your equipment is old.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 17:
Words like “ News, innings , barracks” ; Diseases like “measles, rickets, mumps”; subjects like “ physics, mathematics, politics, statistics” are always have Singular verbs.
For example:
i) No news is good.
ii) Physics is simple.
ii) Measles is curable.
RULES FOR AGREEMENT
RULE 18:
Words relate to Sports “ darts, billiards” ; Proper Nouns like “The United States, The United Nations, Wales”; are always have Singular verbs.
For example:
i) Billiards is an advanced game.
ii) The United States is an affluent country.
ii) Wales is a group of countries.
THANK YOU ALL