subject verb agreement/concord/agreement/rules for subject verb agreement

  

What is Subject-Verb Agreement? 

Subjects and verbs must “agree” in number (singular or plural). A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. This keeps sentences clear and correct.

  Basic Rules and Examples

  1. Singular Subject = Singular Verb 

Rule: If one person, thing, or idea does the action, use a verb with -s or -es (in present tense). 

Examples: 

- "She walks to school." (One girl) 

- "The dog barks at night." (One dog) 

- "He plays football." (One boy) 

- "The book costs ten rupees." (One book) 

- "A cat sleeps on the mat." (One cat) 

- "The teacher explains the lesson." (One teacher) 

 

 2. Plural Subject = Plural Verb 

Rule: If more than one person, thing, or idea does the action, use a verb without -s or -es. 

Examples: 

- "They walk to school." (Many kids) 

- "The dogs bark at strangers." (Many dogs) 

- "We play football." (Many people) 

- "The books cost twenty rupees." (Many books) 

- "Cats sleep on the roof." (Many cats) 

- "The teachers explain the rules." (Many teachers) 

 

 Special Rules and Examples

 

 3. Subjects Joined by "And" = Plural Verb 

Rule: Two or more subjects connected by “and” act as a group, so use a plural verb. 

Examples: 

- "Ravi and Sita play in the park." (Two kids) 

- "The cow and the goat eat grass." (Two animals) 

- "My brother and I like momo." (Two people) 

- "The pen and pencil cost five rupees." (Two items) 

- "Dogs and cats run around." (Groups) 

- "The teacher and students talk loudly." (Many together) 

 

 4. Subjects Joined by "Or" or "Nor" = Match Closest Subject 

Rule: When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. 

Examples: 

- "The cat or the dogs bark at night." (Dogs is closer, plural) 

- "The dogs or the cat sleeps here." (Cat is closer, singular) 

- "Neither Sita nor Ravi plays today." (Ravi is closer, singular) 

- "Either the boys or the girl runs fast." (Girl is closer, singular) 

- "Neither the teacher nor the students know the answer." (Students is closer, plural) 

- "The book or the pens fall off the desk." (Pens is closer, plural) 

 

 5. Indefinite Pronouns (e.g., Everyone, Some) 

Rule: Singular pronouns (everyone, anybody, each) take singular verbs; plural pronouns (some, many) take plural verbs. 

Examples: 

- "Everyone likes the festival." (Singular) 

- "Somebody calls me every day." (Singular) 

- "Each student writes a story." (Singular) 

- "Some children play outside." (Plural) 

- "Many people visit the temple." (Plural) 

- "Few know the secret." (Plural) 

 

 6. Collective Nouns (e.g., Team, Family) 

Rule: Use a singular verb if the group acts as one unit; use a plural verb if members act separately. 

Examples: 

- "The team wins the game." (One unit, singular) 

- "The family lives in Pokhara." (One unit, singular) 

- "The class listens quietly." (One unit, singular) 

- "The team argue among themselves." (Separate actions, plural) 

- "The family are packing their bags." (Separate actions, plural) 

- "The group disagree on the plan." (Separate actions, plural) 

 

 7. Singular Subjects with Plural-Looking Words 

Rule: Some subjects look plural but are singular (e.g., news, mathematics), so use a singular verb. 

Examples: 

- "The news is good today." (Singular) 

- "Mathematics helps us count." (Singular) 

- "Rice grows in the field." (Singular, uncountable) 

- "Physics teaches about energy." (Singular) 

- "Water stays in the pot." (Singular, uncountable) 

- "Measles spreads fast." (Singular disease) 

 

 8. Amounts, Time, or Distance = Singular Verb 

Rule: When talking about a fixed amount, time, or distance as one unit, use a singular verb. 

Examples: 

- "Ten rupees is enough." (One amount) 

- "Five kilometers is a long walk." (One distance) 

- "Two hours is too short." (One time block) 

- "Fifty liters fills the tank." (One unit) 

- "Three days seems quick." (One period) 

- "A hundred rupees buys a lot." (One sum) 

 

 9. "There is" or "There are" 

Rule: The verb agrees with the subject after “there,” not “there” itself. 

Examples: 

- "There is a cat on the roof." (Singular) 

- "There are dogs in the yard." (Plural) 

- "There is one book left." (Singular) 

- "There are two pens here." (Plural) 

- "There is rice in the pot." (Singular) 

- "There are children playing." (Plural) 

 

 10. Titles or Names = Singular Verb 

Rule: Names of books, movies, or groups take a singular verb, even if they sound plural. 

Examples: 

- "The Himalayas is a big range." (Singular name) 

- "‘Friends’ is a funny show." (Singular title) 

- "The Beatles sings well." (Singular group) 

- "Kathmandu is my home." (Singular place) 

- "‘Harry Potter’ sells fast." (Singular book) 

- "The Rolling Stones is famous." (Singular band) 

 

 

 More Examples for Practice 

- "The girl and boy dance together." (Plural) 

- "Either the cat or the dogs eat the food." (Plural, dogs closer) 

- "Nobody knows the answer." (Singular) 

- "The team runs fast." (Singular unit) 

- "The news surprises me." (Singular) 

- "Five days is a short holiday." (Singular amount) 

- "There are two birds in the tree." (Plural) 

- "‘The Avengers’ is a great movie." (Singular title)