Quiz on Subject - Verb Agreement

Why is Subject-Verb Agreement or Concord important?

Subject–verb agreement is one of the most important grammar topics in English and is commonly tested in competitive examinations. It helps candidates use correct grammar by ensuring that verbs agree with their subjects in number and person. Questions on subject–verb agreement appear in exams such as UGC-NET, SET, UPSC, SSC, Banking, CAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL, and many university entrance and recruitment tests. These questions may involve sentence correction, error identification, or choosing the correct verb in simple and complex sentences. A good understanding of subject–verb agreement improves grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and overall communication skills. Learning these rules also helps candidates avoid common mistakes and answer grammar questions more accurately and confidently, leading to better performance in competitive examinations.

Subject–Verb Agreement: Quick Rules 

1. A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.
   • The researcher writes. / The researchers write.
2. Ignore words or phrases between the subject and the verb.
   • The quality of the reports is excellent.
3. Compound subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb.
   • John and Mary are present.
4. If two nouns joined by and refer to one person or thing, use a singular verb.
   • The poet and novelist is speaking.
5. With either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
   • Either the teacher or the students are ready.
6. Indefinite pronouns (each, every, everyone, anybody, neither, either, someone, nobody) take singular verbs.
   • Each of the students has submitted.
7. Collective nouns (team, committee, jury, family) take:
   • Singular when acting as one unit.
   • Plural when members act individually.
8. 'A number of' + plural noun → plural verb.
   • A number of students have arrived.
9. 'The number of' + plural noun → singular verb.
   • The number of students has increased.
10. 'Many a' and 'More than one' take singular verbs.
    • Many a student has failed.
11. Percentages, fractions, and quantities agree with the noun that follows of.
    • 50% of the water is polluted.
    • 50% of the students are absent.
12. Uncountable nouns take singular verbs.
    • Information is valuable.
13. Titles of books, films, and subjects are singular.
    • Statistics is difficult. (academic subject)
14. Plural-only nouns take plural verbs.
    • The scissors are on the table.
15. Existential 'there' sentences agree with the real subject.
    • There is a book.
    • There are many books.
16. Amounts of time, distance, money, and measurement considered as one unit take singular verbs.
    • Ten kilometres is a long walk.
17. Relative pronouns (who, which, that) take the verb of their antecedent.
    • She is one of the students who have qualified.
18. Expressions like along with, together with, as well as, accompanied by, and in addition to do not affect agreement.
    • The principal, along with the teachers, is attending.
19. Formal academic English treats certain Latin plurals as plural.
    • Criteria are important.
    • Data are being analysed.
    • Phenomena are observed.
20. Gerunds and infinitives used as subjects take singular verbs.
    • Reading improves vocabulary.
    • To err is human.

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