Subject-Verb Agreement Rules With Examples and Exercises

Subject-verb agreement (also called concord) is one of the most tested grammar topics in exams worldwide. The rule is simple: a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. But there are tricky cases that confuse students. Let's master them all!

The Basic Rule

Rule: The verb in a sentence must agree with the subject in number and person. Simple Examples:

• The boy is happy. (singular subject, singular verb)
• The boys are happy. (plural subject, plural verb)
• She plays cricket. (singular subject, singular verb)
• They play cricket. (plural subject, plural verb)

How to Make Verbs Agree

Present Tense Verbs

In the present tense, we add "-s" or "-es" to the verb for third-person singular (he, she, it):

I play, you play, he/she/it plays

I eat, you eat, he/she/it eats

I go, you go, he/she/it goes

To Be Verbs

The verb "to be" has special forms:

Tricky Cases in Subject-Verb Agreement

Case 1: Compound Subjects with "and"

When two subjects are joined by "and," use a plural verb.

The principal and the teachers are meeting.

Ram and Shyam have completed their project.

Exception: If the two subjects refer to the same person or thing:

The principal and headmaster is here. (same person)

Case 2: Subjects with "or" or "nor"

With "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the nearest subject.

Either the teachers or the principal is coming. (principal is singular)

Either the principal or the teachers are coming. (teachers is plural)

Neither Priya nor her friends are interested. (friends is plural)

Case 3: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (group, team, class, committee, family) can be singular or plural depending on context.

The committee has decided. (acting as one unit)

The committee have their different views. (acting as individuals)

Common collective nouns: team, class, group, army, jury, audience, crew, family, staff

Case 4: Words of Quantity

Words like "most," "some," "half," "percentage" agree with the noun they refer to.

Most of the students are present. (students is plural)

Most of the cake is eaten. (cake is singular)

50% of the class is passing. (class is singular, referring to it as a unit)

Case 5: "None" Can Be Singular or Plural

None of the students is absent. (emphasizing one by one)

None of the students are absent. (common modern usage)

Both are correct! In exams, use the one your curriculum suggests.

Case 6: "Each," "Every," "Either," "Neither"

These words are always singular, even when followed by "of":

Each student has a notebook.

Every boy and girl needs to participate.

Either option is good.

Neither answer was correct.

Case 7: Plural Nouns with Singular Meaning

Some nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning:

Physics is difficult. (subject name)

The news is shocking. (information)

Economics is important for business. (subject name)

Scissors are on the table. (tool, usually plural)

Measles is a disease. (disease names often singular)

Case 8: Nouns Ending in "-ics"

Nouns ending in "-ics" are usually singular in meaning:

Mathematics is my favorite subject.

Statistics is useful in research.

Exception: When referring to individual items:

The statistics are compiled from many sources.

Case 9: Who, Which, That (Relative Pronouns)

The verb agrees with the antecedent (the noun the pronoun refers to):

I am one of the students who are studying. (students is plural)

She is the only student who has finished. (student is singular)

The books which are on the shelf...

The book that is on the shelf...

Case 10: "A Number of" vs. "The Number of"

A number of students are absent. (plural)

The number of students is 40. (singular)

Common Mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement

Mistake 1: Ignoring intervening words

Wrong: "The leader of the team are talented." (focuses on "team")

Correct: "The leader of the team is talented." (leader is singular)

Mistake 2: Forgetting to change the verb with singular/plural

Wrong: "The group of dancers is wearing different costumes."

Correct: "The group of dancers are wearing different costumes." (individual dancers)

Mistake 3: Wrong agreement with collective nouns

Wrong: "The audience are silent." (in formal writing, usually singular)

Correct: "The audience is silent."

Mistake 4: Treating "or" subjects as plural

Wrong: "Either Arjun or Priya are coming."

Correct: "Either Arjun or Priya is coming." (Priya is singular)

Quick Check Method

To find subject-verb agreement mistakes, follow these steps:

1. Find the real subject (ignore phrases between subject and verb)
2. Check if the subject is singular or plural
3. Choose the matching verb form
4. Make sure the verb shows agreement

Example: "The cost of the uniforms are/is increasing."

Real subject: cost (singular)

Correct verb: is

Answer: "The cost of the uniforms is increasing."

FAQ: Subject-Verb Agreement Questions