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RULES

1

Singular subject - singular verb

Plural subject - plural verb

2

Subject joined by ‘and’ take a plural verb

3

When a subject is made up of nouns joined by or, the verb agrees with the subject (noun or pronoun) closer to it.

4

Introductory ‘there’ or ‘here’ in the beginning of a sentence can have singular or plural verb form. It depends on the subject which follows the verb.

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RULES

5

When the subject is a title of a book or a journal or a quotation expressing a single idea or a single entity; the subject takes a singular verb.

6

Collective nouns take a singular verb.

7

Connectives or phrases such as combined with, coupled with, accompanied by, added to, along with, together with, and as well as do not change the number of the subject.

8

Collecting noun phrases (a bunch of, a group of, a set of etc.) take a singular verb.

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RULES

9

Indefinite pronouns like ‘anybody’, ‘anyone’, ‘anything’, ‘either’, ‘everything’, ‘neither’, ‘nobody’, ‘no one’, ‘nothing’, ‘somebody’, ‘someone’, ‘something’, ‘each’, ‘every’, ‘each one’, ‘each one of us’, ‘everyone’, ‘everybody’, ‘either…of’, ‘neither…of’ always take a singular verb.

10

“None” takes a singular verb if what it refers to is singular and a plural verb if its reference is plural.

11

With fractions, the verb agrees with the whole.

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RULES

12

With money, if the amount is specific, use a singular verb; if the amount is vague, use a plural verb.

13

In English grammar, the phrase "more than one" takes a singular verb despite its apparent plurality. The reason is that "more than one" is treated as a singular unit focusing on each individual separately rather than the collective.

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However, if the phrase "more than one" is followed by a plural noun, the verb agreement changes to plural.

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RULES

14

When a plural number is used for distances, weights, heights or amounts of money; it takes a singular verb.

15

Collective nouns are considered singular and so they take a singular verb. But collective nouns such as cattle, people, folk etc. always take plural verbs.

16

A singular or plural verb is used as per the noun written after ‘of’. "Many of," “Few of," “Several of," “Each of," “None of," “Little of," "a Little of," and “Much of," etc. are plural.

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RULES

17

Singular Indefinite Pronouns (e.g., each, none, little, a little, and much): These pronouns generally take a singular verb.

18

Some nouns, though plural in form, are singular in meaning and take singular verbs.

19

The sentence consisting of “One of + Plural noun” construction is always followed by a singular verb.

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Subject Verb Agreement

9. Indefinite pronouns like ‘anybody’, ‘anyone’, ‘anything’, ‘either’, ‘everything’, ‘neither’, ‘nobody’, ‘no one’, ‘nothing’, ‘somebody’, ‘someone’, ‘something’, ‘each’, ‘every’, ‘each one’, ‘each one of us’, ‘everyone’, ‘everybody’, ‘either…of’, ‘neither…of’ always take a singular verb.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

    • No one is able to make you feel inferior without your consent.
    • Each mistake brings you closer to success.
    • Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise.
    • Every body deserves respect, regardless of their status or past. (Every one loves to be loved).
    • Nothing in life is to be feared. It is to be understood.
    • Somebody needs your smile today – spread kindness.

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Subject Verb Agreement

    • Everything begins with a single step – start today.
    • Anything, achieved with honesty, brings ecstasy.
    • Anyone has the right to express (his/her) opinion.
    • Every sunrise brings new hope.
    • Each one of us is mortal.
    • Each student has a unique ID.
    • If anything goes wrong, let me know.
    • Neither of the candidates is eligible for this job.
    • Every man desires to be rich.

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Subject Verb Agreement

10. “None” takes a singular verb if what it refers to is singular and a plural verb if its reference is plural.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

  • None of your efforts go waste. Every step takes you closer to your goal.
  • None of the students have completed their assignments yet.
  • None of the cake is left.
  • None of the students are absent.
  • None of the book is reproducible without permission.
  • None of the information is accurate.
  • None of these books have been read yet.

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Subject Verb Agreement

11. With fractions, the verb agrees with the whole.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

  • One-third of the cake is left.
  • Two-thirds of the milk is spilled.
  • Half of the students are present.
  • One-fourth of the members were standing.
  • One-fourth of the books are gone. 
  • One-fourth of the sand is white. 
  • Half of the apples are rotten.
  • Three-fourths of the homework is finished.
  • Seventy percent of the villagers are farmers.
  • Forty percent of the population in India lives in rural areas.

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Subject Verb Agreement

12. With money, if the amount is specific, use a singular verb; if the amount is vague, use a plural verb.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

  • Ten dollars is a fair price for this book. (a single sum of money)
  • Five hundred dollars was donated to the charity.
  • Dollars are important in international trade. (Here Dollars are treated as a general, collective amount)
  • One hundred and twenty rupees is too much for a toothpaste.

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Subject Verb Agreement

  • The dollars are wasted at the time of war.
  • Within a year, $5 million was spent on building a new factory, and millions more were spent on training future factory workers. 
  • Funds are allocated each year to help medical research. 
  • The payments are still pending from different clients.
  • The coins in the pocket make the most noise.
  • Her savings are kept in several banks.
  • Five hundred rupees is all I have.

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Subject Verb Agreement

13. In English grammar, the phrase "more than one" takes a singular verb despite its apparent plurality. The reason is that "more than one" is treated as a singular unit focusing on each individual separately rather than the collective.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

  • More than one student has failed in the exam.
  • More than one book is missing from the library.
  • More than one person knows the secret.
  • More than one teacher was present in the meeting.
  • More than one car was involved in the race.
  • More than one apple has been eaten by me so far.
  • More than one soldier was injured in the battle.
  • More than one car is parked outside the hotel.
  • More than one room is available here.
  • More than one mistake has been committed by him.

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Subject Verb Agreement

  • However, if the phrase "more than one" is followed by a plural noun, the verb agreement changes to plural.

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Subject Verb Agreement

For example:

  • More than two boys have won the gold medals.
  • More than three students have stood first in the class.
  • More than two players have scored goals in the match.
  • More than ten children are waiting outside the class for the teacher.
  • More than two fans are out of order in Room No. 21.
  • More than a few guests have already arrived.

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Subject Verb Agreement

13. Collecting noun phrases such as a bunch of, a group of, a set of, a couple of, a range of, a pair of, a variety of etc. take a singular verb.

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Subject Verb Agreement

  • A bunch of grapes is on the table. (a single collective unit)
  • A group of students is meeting in the library. [one entity (the group)]
  • A set of keys was found in the hallway. (a single collection of keys)
  • A collection of stamps is valuable. (one singular collection)
  • A set of 12 dishes is all you need for the dinner party.

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Subject Verb Agreement

  • A set of tools is kept in the garage.
  • A number of important issues is under discussion.
  • A couple of tourists is waiting outside the college campus.
  • A variety of fruits is sold at the market.

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Subject Verb Agreement

14. When a plural number is used for distances, weights, heights or amounts of money; it takes a singular verb.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

  • Fifty miles is a long distance to travel. (It represents a single distance)
  • Ten pounds is the weight limit for this luggage.

(It refers to a single weight limit)

  • Six feet is too tall for this ride.

(It indicates a single height)

  • Five dollars is the price of the ticket.

(It represents a single amount of money)

    • Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money to spend on a vacation. (It signifies a single sum)

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Subject Verb Agreement

  • One lakh rupees is not a big amount now a days.
  • Hundred miles is not a long distance for him.
  • Ten feet high jump is a child’s play for an industrious athlete.

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Subject Verb Agreement

15. Collective nouns are considered singular and so they take a singular verb. But collective nouns such as cattle, people, folk etc. always take plural verbs.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

  • The team is winning the match. (Here, "team" is considered a single unit acting together.)
  • The committee has decided on the new policy. (‘Committee’ is seen as one entity making a decision)
  • The family is going on vacation. (Here "Family" is viewed as one group.)
  • The cattle are grazing in the field. (Here “Cattle" refers to multiple animals)

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Subject Verb Agreement

  • The people have spoken the truth. (Here "People" inherently means more than one person)
  • The folk are gathering for the festival. (Here “Folk" refers to a group of individuals)
  • My family is a happy family.
  • The Indian Army is very strong.
  • Village folk are animated (lively) by nature.
  • People of this village are very cooperative.

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Subject Verb Agreement

  • Staff:
  • The staff is meeting at noon. (single entity)
  • The staff are preparing their reports. (individual members)

 

  • Class:
  • The class is studying hard for the exam. (single entity)
  • The class are discussing their assignments. (individual students)

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Subject Verb Agreement

16. A singular or plural verb is used as per the noun written after ‘of’. "Many of," "few of," "several of," "each of," "none of," "little of," "a little of," and "much of," etc. are plural.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

  • Many of the students are attending the lecture.
  • Few of the cookies remain untouched.
  • Several of the books have been read.
  • Both of the options are acceptable.
  • A few of the girls have accomplished their tasks.
  • Many of the soldiers have sacrificed their lives for this nation.
  • Many boys are in the library right now.
  • Both the girls were tall.
  • Much of his tension has been removed after the advice received from the elders.

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Subject Verb Agreement

17. Singular Indefinite Pronouns (e.g. each, none, little, a little, and much): These pronouns generally take a singular verb.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

  • Each of the players has a uniform.
  • None of the milk is left.
  • Little of the information is accurate.
  • A little of the cake remains.
  • Much of the work has been completed.

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Subject Verb Agreement

18. Some nouns, though plural in form, are singular in meaning and take singular verbs.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Example:

  • The news is on at 6 p.m.
  • Physics is fascinating to many students.
  • Mathematics is a challenging subject.
  • Economics is essential for understanding market behavior.
  • Statistics is an important tool for research.
  • Linguistics is the scientific study of language.
  • Measles (ઓરી) is a contagious disease.
  • Billiards is a popular game.
  • Politics is often a contentious (controversial) topic.

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Subject Verb Agreement

  • Civics is an interesting subject.
  • Athletics fosters (encourages the development of) a sense of discipline and teamwork among participants for their overall development.

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Subject Verb Agreement

19. The sentence consisting of “One of + Plural noun” construction is always followed by a singular verb.

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Subject Verb Agreement

Examples:

  • One of the books has a missing page.
  • One of my friends has gone abroad recently.
  • One of the students is absent today.
  • One of the cars is parked illegally.
  • One of the teachers is going to retire next year.
  • One of the projects requires additional funding.

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Subject Verb Agreement

THANKS

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