Subject-Verb Agreement Grammar Basics

Subject-Verb Agreement Overview

• Verbs must match their subjects in number for grammatically correct sentences.
• Verb forms must correspond to whether the subject is singular or plural.
• Subject-verb agreement ensures proper grammatical construction.

Basic Rules in Present Tense

• The helping verbs is, am, and are denote the Present Tense.
• am is used with I
• is is paired with singular subjects like he, she and boy.
• are corresponds to plural subjects like "boys."

Basic Rules in Past Tense

• The helping verbs was and were denote the Past Tense.
• was is used with singular subjects such as he and she.
• were is used with plural subjects such as "they."

Basic Rules in Future Tense

• The helping verbs will and shall denote the Future Tense.
• shall is generally paired with I and we.
• will is used with the pronouns he, she, they, and you.
• Using will with "I" implies a promise or a threat.

Compound Subjects Joined by "And"

• Multiple singular subjects linked by "and" usually require a plural verb.
• For example, "Rita and her sister are identical twins."
• An exception exists if subjects connected by and form a single idea.

Exceptions to the "And" Rule

• If subjects joined by "and" express a single concept, they take a singular verb.
• For example, "Time and tide waits for no man," treats "time and tide" as one idea.
• Use a singular verb if subjects joined by "and" refer to one person or thing.
• For example, "My friend and guide is dead" when one person serves both roles.

Articles and Subject-Verb Agreement

• A singular verb is used when an article appears only before the first subject in a compound subject, indicating it's the same entity.
• For example, "The poet and statesman has died" means one individual.
• Plural verbs are used if each subject has its own article
• For example, "The poet and the statesman have died" signifies two separate people.

Singular Pronouns

• Singular verbs should follow words like "each," "everyone," "either," and "neither".
• For example, "Each of these girls sings well" and "Everyone was informed."

"Either/Or" and "Neither/Nor" Constructions

• The verb should match the second subject
• For example, "Either he or I am responsible." (agrees with "I").
• Use plural examples if both subjects are connected with "Either/Or" or "Neither/Nor" and the second subject is plural
• For example, "Neither food nor water were found."

"As Well As" and "With" Phrases

• The verb must agree with the first subject in sentences using "as well as" or "with."
• The first subject in the phrases must agree on the examples.
• For example, "Manish, as well as you, is invited." (agrees with "Manish")

"Each" and "Every" Revisited

• Singular verbs are used when two singular nouns joined by "and" are preceded by "each" or "every."
• For example, "Every man and woman works hard."

"Not Only/But Also" Constructions

• The verb must agree with the subject nearest to it in "not only/but also" constructions.
• For example, "Not only Darshan but I am also responsible..." (agrees with "I").

Collective Nouns

• Collective nouns like "jury" or "team" usually take a singular verb when referring to the group as a single unit.
• For example, "The jury is ready to deliver its verdict."
• Collective nouns take a plural verb when focusing on individual members within the group.

Plural Form, Singular Meaning

• Nouns like "mathematics" or "news" seem plural but have a singular meaning.
• Singular verbs should be used for words with a plural form but singular meaning
• For example, "Mathematics is my favorite subject."

Nouns Always Plural

• Nouns that are always plural and lack a singular form, such as "clothes" and "jeans."
• For example, "My trousers need cleaning."

Plural Noun, Singular Quantity

• Treat a plural noun as a singular unit when it indicates a specific amount.
• For example, "Ten thousand rupees is a lot of money."

Relative Pronouns

• The verb agrees with the noun that the pronoun refers to
• For example, "Nikhil is one of the boys who are brilliant" (agrees with "boys").