Subject-Verb Agreement plays a crucial role for SSC CGL preparation. It is an essential grammar concept that ensures sentences are grammatically accurate and easy to understand. The SSC CGL examination tests English comprehension and language proficiency, where a solid understanding of grammar rules is necessary. Mastering subject-verb agreement helps candidates avoid common
mistakes and improve their scores in the exam.
Moreover, it improves the overall standard of written communication, which is essential not only for examinations but also in professional environments. A strong command over this topic can greatly enhance a candidate’s performance in both objective and descriptive parts of the examination.
The Subject - Verb Agreement
The subject and the verb must match in number.
If the subject is one (singular) ➡️ the verb must be singular
He plays cricket every day. 🏏
Singular Subject ➡️ Singular Verb
If the subject is more than one (plural) ➡️ the verb must be plural.
The captain and his team play cricket every day. 🏏
Plural Subject ➡️ Plural Verb
Now, Let's know what you will learn in this article:
- What do we mean by Subject - Verb Agreement?
- Is it necessary to learn all the rules of Subject - Verb Agreement?
- Rules of Subject - Verb Agreement.
- Common Errors in English Grammar you should avoid
- Exercise to beat the competition
- Video (audio & visual aid)
Subject-verb agreement is a grammar rule which states that the subject and the verb in a
sentence must agree in number. A singular subject requires a singular verb, whereas a plural
subject requires a plural verb. For instance, in the sentence “The bird flies,” the subject “bird”
is singular, so the verb “flies” is also singular. On the other hand, in “The birds fly,” the subject
“birds "is plural; therefore, the verb “fly” is plural as well.
Proper subject-verb agreement is important because it improves clarity and helps express ideas correctly in every type of writing, whether informal or formal.
Although practicing exercises can strengthen your understanding of subject-verb agreement, having a clear understanding of the rules is equally important to perform well in competitive exams. Knowing the rules helps you apply correct grammar structures in different situations, especially in difficult sentence patterns that exercises may not fully explain. It also enables you to recognize and fix errors more accurately. Therefore, along with regular practice, studying the rules in depth is a more effective way to succeed in exams.
Subject - Verb Agreement Rules:
Master English Grammar!
Subject with Indefinite Pronouns" Each/ Every"
When the subject includes each/ every, use a singular verb.
Each student has a backpack to carry a laptop while going on an educational trip.
Every player is ready to play in the IPL final with full zeal.
Words like anybody, someone, everyone, each, and every take singular verbs.
Indefinite Pronouns (both, many, few, several) take plural verbs:
For example,
Several candidates have applied for this post.
The plural subject (' several candidates) correctly matches the plural verb(have).
Either /Neither
Either and neither take a singular verb.
Either shop is open today.
Now the question is,' When to use this sentence:
It doesn't matter which two shops you choose; for example:
You want to buy 'bread and butter', then you can go to the one or
the other down the street.
Neither shop is open today.
Here, it means that both the shops are closed.
Subject with "or/nor":
When subjects are joined by or/nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
Mahima or her friends are going to the mall.
When subjects are connected by ' or ', the verb agrees with the subjects that is closer
to it. Here, ' her friends ' is closer to the verb and that is why the verb should be plural.
' are' is the correct usage in this case since ' her friends' is plural.
For example:
Her friends or Mahima is going to the mall.
Here, "Mahima" is closer to the verb so the verb should be singular " is ".
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns usually take a singular verb.
For example:
A group of unicorns is known as a blessing.
Collective nouns take a plural verb when members act separately:
For example:
The members of the jury were divided in their opinions.
Here, ' members' is plural, it needs a plural verb (were) and pronoun (their).
Amounts of money, time, distance, weight, take singular verbs:
Fifty miles is not a long distance now.
Common Mistakes in English Grammar you Should Avoid
Direct and Clear (Best for study guides)
Using Plural Verbs with singular subjects:
Incorrect: "The list of items are on the table."
Correct: "The list of items is on the table."
Why: The true subject is "list," which is singular. Therefore, it requires the singular
verb "is" rather than the plural "are."
Concise and Professional (Best for presentations or summaries)
Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular Subject + Plural Verb):
Wrong: "The list of items are on the table."
Right: "The list of items is on the table."
1. The "Prepositional Phrase" Trap:
The Mistake: "The list of items are on the table."
The Fix: "The list of items is on the table."
It's easy to look at the word "items" and want to use "are." However, the actual
subject of the sentence is "list."
Subject-Verb Agreement Guide
Matching Plural Subjects with Plural Verbs
Incorrect: "The books on the shelf is dusty."
Correct: "The books on the shelf are dusty."
Why?
Because the main subject ("books") is plural, it requires the plural verb
"are" rather than the singular "is."
Compound Subjects Linked by "And"
Incorrect: "My friend and mentor inspires me every day."
Correct: "My friend and mentor inspire me every day."
Why?
When you connect two separate subjects using the word "and," they form a
compound subject that generally requires a plural verb.
Note: In English grammar, if "my friend and mentor" refers to a single
person who holds both roles, the original "inspires" would actually be
correct. However, based strictly on the general rule presented in the text,
it treats them as two distinct entities requiring a plural verb.
Indefinite Pronouns
Incorrect: “Everyone have their own opinion.”
Correct: “Everyone has their own opinion.”
Explanation: Words like “everyone” are indefinite pronouns and are treated as
singular subjects. Therefore, they take singular verbs such as “has.”
Subjects Separated from Verbs
Incorrect: “The bouquet of flowers were beautiful.”
Correct: “The bouquet of flowers was beautiful.”
Explanation: The main subject is “bouquet,” which is singular. Hence, the verb
should also be singular (“was”), even though “flowers” is plural.
Special Rules of “Either/Or” and “Neither/Nor”
Incorrect: “Neither the manager nor the employees is responsible.”
Correct: “Neither the manager nor the employees are responsible.”
Rule: When two subjects are connected with “either/or” or “neither/nor,” the
verb follows the subject placed nearest to it.
Keeping these rules in mind will help you avoid common subject-verb agreement
mistakes and improve the accuracy and clarity of your writing.
Subject-Verb Agreement Exercises
A. Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct verb from the brackets.
1. The list of items ______ on the table. (is/are)
Ans: is
Explanation: The main subject of the sentence is list (not items) so,
the verb will be singular) "is".
2. Neither the manager nor the employees ______ present. (was/were)
Ans: were
Explanation: When joining two subjects with .... nor) the verb must agree with
the subject closest to it. Since "employees" is plural and closer to the verb, so
you use "were".
3. Each of the participants ______ a prize. (has/have)
Ans: has
Explanation: Although "participants" is plural, yet the main subject is " Each". Here
" Each" is singular so it must take a singular verb like ' has ' rather than the plural.
4. ----- the news true? (is/are)
Ans: Is
Explanation: The news functions as a singular, uncountable noun in English, so here
should be " Is" not " Are".
5. Either the principal or teachers ______present in the meeting. (is/are)
Ans: are
Explanation: When using ' either/or' with a singular verb and a plural subject, the
verb must agree with the noun that is closest to it. Because ' the teachers' is plural,
the plural verb ' are ' is used.
6. History ______ my least favorite subject. (is/are)
Ans: is
Explanation: Name of subjects, games, and books take singular verbs.
7. One of the tourist guides______ injured. (was/were)
Ans: was
Explanation: "One of the" takes a plural noun - tourist guides
Here, "was" in the singular verb, which agrees correctly with the
subject "One"(not the guides)
8. The team ______ playing well. (is/are)
Ans: is
Explanation: Here, the choir is treated as a single, single collective noun.
9. Rice and curry ______ my usual lunch. (is/are)
Ans: is
Explanation: "Rice and curry" is thought of as one combined meal, hence using singular
verb "is" is correct answer.
10. Neither the director nor the clerks ______ ready for the meeting. (was/were)
Ans: were
Explanation: When using ' neither/nor' the verb must agree with the subject that is closest to it,
here clerks (plural) is closer to the verb than ' director ' (singular) the plural verb 'were' is correct.
B. Spotting the Error
Find the error and write the correct sentence.
1. The kids in the park was making noise.
Ans: were
Explanation: A plural subject (Kids) takes plural verb (were) so,
the sentence is correct.
2. Each of the candidates have filled the form.
Ans: has
Explanation: When the subject contains each or every, use a singular verb.
3. Neither the Mr. Rao nor his family members is available.
Ans: are
Explanation: When combining subjects with corelative conjunctions like neither...nor the verb must always agree with the noun or pronoun that is closest to it.Here, nearest subject is ' family members' so use ' are'.
4. Raman as well as his brothers ---- very well. (sing/sings)
Ans: sings
Explanation: According to rule, when the subjects are joined by as well as, the agrees with the first subject (Raman). Since ' Raman ' is singular, so the verb must be singular (sings).
5. One of my cousins have gone to Goa.
Ans: has
Explanation: When using " One of my cousins...", the subject is the singular "one "
that is why you must use "has".
Mastering Subject - Verb Agreement is essential for cracking SSC examinations.
Regular practice and understanding grammatical rules will help you avoid
common mistakes and improve accuracy.
