Subject-Verb Concord(Agreement)

 

Subject-Verb Concord: 

I. The Basic Foundations

1. The Number Rule: Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

   • The boy runs. / The boys run.

2. The "And" Rule: Two nouns joined by and usually take a plural verb.

   • Economics and History are interesting subjects.

3. The Compound Unit Exception: If two nouns joined by and suggest one idea or a single person, use a singular verb.

   • Bread and butter is a wholesome food.

   • Slow and steady wins the race.

4. The Article Test: If "The" is used before only the first noun, it’s one person (singular). If "The" is used before both, they are two people (plural).

   • The Secretary and Treasurer has resigned. (One person)

   • The Secretary and the Treasurer have resigned. (Two people)

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II. Tricky Connectives (The "First Subject" Rule)

5. Intervening Phrases: Words like as well as, along with, together with, besides, and accompanied by do not change the number of the subject. Agree with the first noun.

   • The teacher, along with the students, is going on a trip.

6. The Proximity Rule (Or/Nor): When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.

   • Neither you nor he is responsible.

   • Neither he nor you are responsible.

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III. Indefinite Pronouns & Quantifiers

7. The "Each/Every" Rule: Each, every, everyone, someone, nobody are always singular.

   • Each of the candidates was interviewed.

8. "A Number" vs. "The Number": * “A number of” means many (Plural).

   • “The number of” refers to a specific total (Singular).

   • A number of students were late. / The number of latecomers is small.

9. The Fraction/Percentage Rule: The verb depends on what comes after "of."

   • Half of the cake is gone. / Half of the cakes are gone.

10. "Many a": This formal structure always takes a singular verb.

    • Many a flower is born to blush unseen.

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IV. Specialized Nouns

11. Academic Subjects: Nouns like Economics, Physics, and Mathematics are singular.

    • Mathematics is essential for science.

12. Collective Nouns: Singular if the group acts together; plural if they disagree.

    • The committee has issued its report.

    • The committee were divided in their opinions.

13. The "Pair" Rule: Nouns like scissors, spectacles, and trousers are plural unless you use "a pair of."

    • His spectacles are broken. / This pair of spectacles is new.

14. Measurement Units: Money, time, and distance are treated as a single unit.

    • Ten kilometers is a long walk.

    • Five hundred rupees is too much for this pen.

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V. Advanced Structures

15. Inverted Sentences: In sentences starting with there or here, the subject follows the verb.

    • There is a book. / There are books.

16. Relative Pronouns: The verb agrees with the word immediately before who/which/that.

    • It is I who am to blame.

    • He is one of the men who do not smoke.

17. Subjunctive (The "Were" Rule): For wishes or imaginary conditions, always use were.

    • If I were the Prime Minister, I would change the law.

18. Uncountable Nouns: Furniture, news, information, luggage, and scenery are always singular.

    • The furniture is old. / The news is shocking.

19. Titles: Names of books or countries are singular.

    • Gulliver’s Travels is a great satire.

20. "None of": While often singular in formal tests, it can be plural in modern usage depending on the noun after "of."

    • None of the work is done. / None of the students have finished.