CUET English: Subject-Verb Agreement

CUET English: Subject-Verb Agreement. This article deals in :

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Subject-Verb Agreement refers to the grammatical rule that states that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural). This means that a singular subject must have a singular verb, and a plural subject must have a plural verb. It is important because it ensures clarity and coherence in writing, helping to convey the intended meaning effectively.

Here are 10 tips to understand and apply Subject-Verb Agreement in English grammar, along with examples:

1. Identify the Subject: Determine whether the subject of the sentence is singular or plural. Example: The dog (singular) barks loudly. / The dogs (plural) bark loudly.
2. Pay Attention to Compound Subjects: When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” the verb is usually plural. Example: Tom and Jerry (plural) are good friends.
3. Singular Indefinite Pronouns: Singular indefinite pronouns such as “everyone,” “anyone,” “someone,” etc., require singular verbs. Example: Everyone (singular) wants to succeed in life.
4. Plural Indefinite Pronouns: Plural indefinite pronouns such as “both,” “many,” “few,” etc., require plural verbs. Example: Many (plural) have contributed to the project.
5. Collective Nouns: Collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a single unit or as individuals. Example: The team (singular) plays well. / The team (plural) have different opinions.
6. Intervening Words: Ignore phrases or words that come between the subject and the verb when determining agreement. Example: The book, along with the pen, (singular) is on the table.
7. Inverted Subjects: In sentences with inverted word order, ensure that the verb agrees with the subject, not the noun following the verb. Example: Under the bed (singular) lies a pair of shoes.
8. Titles, Names, and Titles: Titles, names, and titles followed by a singular verb. Example: The Lord of the Rings (singular) is a popular book series.
9. Subjects Joined by “Or” or “Nor”: Use a singular verb if the subjects are singular or if the first subject is singular. Example: Neither John nor Mary (singular) likes spicy food.
10. Indirect Questions: When a sentence begins with an indirect question, ensure that the verb agrees with the actual subject. Example: What (singular) is the answer to the question?

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar, ensuring that the verb aligns with the subject in terms of number and meaning. Here are some simple rules to follow for subject-verb agreement:

1. Singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs.Example:
   • Correct: Mohan lives in Delhi.
   • Incorrect: Mohan live in Delhi.
2. Indefinite pronouns usually take singular verbs.Example:
   • Correct: No one likes to fail at school.
3. Nouns used with quantifiers can be singular or plural, depending on countability.Example:
   • Correct (plural countable noun): Some of the policies were rejected while others were approved.
   • Correct (uncountable noun): Some of the research was conducted at the University of Melbourne.
4. In sentences with either… or, neither… nor, or not only… but also, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.Example:
   • Correct: Neither the lecturer nor the students want to reschedule the class.
5. The verbs “there is” and “there are” agree with the noun following them.Example:
   • Correct: There is flexibility in this kind of management structure.
   • Correct: There are many advantages to this kind of management structure.

In your writing, make sure to identify the subject and verb of each sentence and ensure they agree in number and meaning. With practice, you can improve your subject-verb agreement skills and produce clearer and more accurate writing.

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

Subjects and verbs must agree in number. In addition to the explanations provided, please also refer to the post on Subject—Verb Agreement.
If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular too. Example: She writes every day. Exception: When using the singular “they,” use plural verb forms. Example: The participant expressed satisfaction with their job. They are currently in a managerial role at the organization.

If the subject is plural, then the verb must also be plural. Example: They write every day.
However, there are some cases where it may seem a bit more complicated than this.
When the subject of the sentence consists of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by “and,” use a plural verb. Example: The doctoral student and the committee members write every day.

Example: The percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of employees who left their jobs within 2 years are reflective of the level of job satisfaction.

When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the subject. Example: Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of participants.
Example: An assumption is something that is generally accepted as true and is an important consideration when conducting a doctoral study.

When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the verb still agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of the sentence. Example: The student, as well as the committee members, are excited.
Example: The student with all the master’s degrees is very motivated.
Example: Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage classroom participation include using small groups and clarifying expectations.
Example: The focus of the interviews was nine purposively selected participants.

Use a singular verb when there are two or more singular nouns or pronouns connected by “or” or “nor.”

Example: The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.
When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity. Example: The student or the committee members write every day.
Example: The committee members or the student write every day.

Words and phrases such as “each,” “each one,” “either,” “neither,” “everyone,” “everybody,” “anyone,” “no”nobody,” “somebody,” “someone,” and “no one” are singular and require a singular verb.

Example: Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.
Example: Neither alternative hypothesis was accepted.
Example: I will offer a $5 gift card to everybody who participates in the study.
Example: No one was available to meet with me at the preferred times.
Noncount nouns take a singular verb. Example: Education is the key to success.
Example: Diabetes affects many people around the world.
Example: The information obtained from the business owners was relevant to include in the study.
Example: The research I found on the topic was limited.

Some countable nouns in English, such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables, only have a plural form and take a plural verb. Example: The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.
Example: The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless population in the city.
Example: Locally produced goods have the advantage of shorter supply chains.

In sentences beginning with “there is” or “there are,” the subject follows the verb. Since “there” is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows the verb. Example: There is little administrative support.
Example: There are many factors affecting teacher retention.
Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular and takethe form of a singular verb. Some examples are “group,” “team,” “committee,” “family,” and “class.” Example: The group meets every week.
Example: The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.

However, the plural verb is used if the focus is on the individuals in the group. This is much less common. Example: The committee members participate in various volunteer activities in their private lives.

50 Sentences demonstrating subject-verb agreement