Subject verb agreement

Subject verb agreement

The basic rule of subject verb agreements is singular subject singular verb plural subject plural verbs.

The singular verbs: is, has. V5 , does, was 

The plural verbs: are, have, V1,do, are were

Common verbs: all past verbs (V2) and modal 

1. An uncountable noun, though in the plural sense, takes singular verbs: my hair is gray.

2.  The +adjectives to denote group takes plural verbs: The poor are kind.

3. Two or more singular subjects connected by and take a verb in plural. When and is followed by a negative word as no or not, the verb agrees with word preceding no or not. Imran and Irfan are two brothers. Only boys and not the girl are guilty. The boy and not girls is guilty. 

4. Only one definite article the is used and joined by and takes singular verb. The scriptwriter and director is very famous.

5. Titles and names of plural form also take singular verb when they refer to one thing: Seven Dwarfs was a famous movie.

6. A phrase of measurement, though plural in forms takes a singular verbs. Two hours is long time to wait.

7.  We use singular verbs after a subject with every each any no some, but John Eastwood, the writer of Oxford Guide to English Grammar opines that each takes plural verb when it follows plural subject. Each boy is responsible. The pupils each have to take test. 

8. The subject with each and every joined by and, takes singular verb. Each boy and each girl is in discipline.

9. When two subjects are joined by or, nor, either…or, neither… nor takes verbs according to second subject. Either he or I am guilty. Either boy or girls are responsible. Note the placing of pronoun is 231.

10. A collective noun takes singular verb when it is thought of a whole, but takes plural verb when individuals are separately thought of. The jury has ordered to hang the man. The jury are divided in their opinion.

11. A number/ A group of/ A lot of takes plural verb when it is used at the beginning of the sentence. If there is ‘the’ in place of a we can use singular verb. The number of participants is remarkable in meeting. A number of boys were standing in the street. 

12. Some nouns, which are singular in the form but plural in meaning, take plural verb. Police people staff dozen etc. The police are running after the thief.

13. Some nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning take singular verb. The news is true.

14. When subject of a sentence is phrase, the verb must agree with main noun in subject group. The only excuse that he gave for his action was that he was tired.

15. When a plural noun is placed with a real singular subject one or each with help of the verb must be singular. One of the boys was ill.

16. When words are joined with: together with, or as well as, the verbs agree with first subject. The Prime minister with his ministers has arrived.

17. Many a/many an before a singular noun is form and verb is usually singular. However, a great many/ a good many/ too many is used instead of these words can take plural verbs.