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Subject Verb Agreement

The document outlines the rules of subject-verb agreement, emphasizing that singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. It includes specific rules for different scenarios, such as subjects joined by 'and', the use of collective nouns, and exceptions to these rules. Additionally, it provides examples to illustrate each rule and clarify common mistakes.

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25 views19 pages

Subject Verb Agreement

The document outlines the rules of subject-verb agreement, emphasizing that singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. It includes specific rules for different scenarios, such as subjects joined by 'and', the use of collective nouns, and exceptions to these rules. Additionally, it provides examples to illustrate each rule and clarify common mistakes.

Uploaded by

mmaishaa27
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Subject Verb Agreement

Basic Rule
• Singular subject takes a singular verb.
&
• Plural subjects take a plural verb.

A man is sitting there.


Two men are sitting there.
Rule 1
• Two subjects joined by ‘and’ take a plural verb.

Rahim and Karim _______ playing football.


(is/are)
Rule 1 (Exception)
• If two subjects joined by ‘and’ denote to the
same meaning/subject the verb is singular.

The horse and carriage __is___ ready at the


door.
Time and tide __waits___ for none.
Difference?

• The novelist and the poet are present.


• The novelist and poet is present.
Rule 2
• If each/every/no one/one/ anyone/someone
etc. are in the subject the verb is always
singular.

Each boy and each girl is given a ticket.


Nobody loves a liar.
Rule 3
• If some/many/few/both/several/all etc. are in
the subject the verb is always plural.

All of my friends are coming.


Few students are tired.
Rule 4

• Either … or… • They always take two


• Neither … nor… subjects.
• Not only… but also… • The verb follows the
• ….or… subject sitting nearer to
• …nor… it.
Rule 4 (Example)
• Neither Rahim nor his brothers are present here.

• Neither Rahim nor his brother is present here.

• Neither Rahim’s brothers nor Rahim himself is


present here.

• Neither Rahim’s brother nor Rahim himself is


present here.
Rule 5
• Single ‘Gerund’ takes a single verb.

Watching cartoon is a fun.


Rising early is good for health.
Reading newspaper is good for general knowledge.
Rule 5 (Quiz)

Swimming and running _______ good for


health. (is/are)
Rule 6
• A collective noun takes a singular verb.

• Rahim Man Army

• Mohesh Cow Herd

• Mr. Rahim Man Jury


Rule 6 (Example)

The team is working on the field.


This class is very attentive.
Rule 6 (Exception)

The jury has given its verdict.


The jury are divided among their opinion.
Rule 7
• Name of a single poem/book/film/novel/song
etc. takes a single verb.

3 Idiots is my favorite film.


Romeo and Juliet is a good drama.
Rule 8
• The singular verb form is usually used for units
of measurement or time.

Four quarts of oil was required to get the car


running.
Rule 9
• A mistake: Don’t get confused about the
subject.

The quality of the mangoes is not good.


The women who went to the market are very
happy.
Rule 10
• For following kinds of sentences the object of
preposition decides the verb forms.

Half of the mangoes are rotten.


Half of the mango is here on the plate.
Rule 11
• For introductory ‘There’ the subject is
available right after the verb.

There is a book on the desk.


There are two books on the desk.

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