Subject Verb Agreement PSBBMS, OMR- CLASS 6 -ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Let’s Discuss:SUBJECT:-

THE DOER OF THE ACTION OR WHAT IS BEING SPOKEN ABOUT IN A SENTENCE.

First Person I we

Second Person you you

Third Person he/she/it they

Examples: She goes, he goes, they go, I go, you go

Let’s Discuss:VERBS:- Main Verbs- Helping verbs (aka Auxiliary verbs)

EXAMPLE : He is sleeping. They are sleeping.

Main verbs in a sentence. He likes singing. They like singing.

Rule 1 : Basic RuleSingular subject takes singular verb and plural subject takes plural verb.

● Singular subject = Singular verb (s/es)She/he/it

● Plural subject = Plural verb.They/ You

The pronoun ‘you’ always takes a plural verb.E.g. You were about to fall.

You are invited to the party. You dance so well.

Exercise: Choose the best option:1. The list of items _______ on the desk. (is/are)2. The animals ______ living happily in the forest. (is/are)3. A lion ________ called as king of the forest. (is/are)4. The dogs a)_______at every sound they b)_____.( barks/ bark) ( hears/ hear)5. The child ________candy. (likes/like)6. Children _______candy.(like/likes)7. The mouse _______cheese. (likes/ like)8. The mice___________cheese. (likes/ like)9. The man __________shoes. (loves/love)10. The men _________shoes. (love/loves)

Rule 2:Singular subjects joined by AND require a plural verb, except when they mean one thing.

■ Larry and Mercy are reading novels. ■ My teacher and friend is here.■ The cow and pig are jumping over the moon.■ Ram and Shyam are quite different.

Exercise:1. The doctoral student and the committee members ______every day. (writes/write)2. A pencil and an eraser ______writing easier. (make/makes)3. Ravi and Krishna ________together. (play/plays)4. Radha and Priya__________ going to school.(are/is)5. Jane and Lisa _______friends. (are/is)

Rule 3 and 4: When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by "or" or "nor," use a singular verb.

Example: The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.

BUT:When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity. Subjects joined by “or” or “Nor” take a verb that agrees with the last subject.

e.g. Neither Bob nor George is leaving.The student or the committee members write every day.The committee members or the student writes every day.Neither the dogs nor the cat is going outsideEither John or his brothers are bringing the dessert,Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.

Rules 3 and 4 in a simpler way:

Two singular subjects joined by EITHER/OR or NEITHER/NOR take a singular verb.

Examples: Either Mommy or Daddy is coming with me at the outbound. Neither Ferdie nor Dulce is waiting for you.

If two subjects, one single and one plural, are connected by EITHER/OR or NEITHER/NOR, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.

● Neither the players nor the coach is joining. ● Either the conductor or the singers are attending the concert.

Rules 5 and 6 :

A singular subject followed by intervening words or phrases such as WITH, AS WELL AS, IN ADDITION TO, ACCOMPANIED BY, TOGETHER WITH and NO LESS THAN, takes a singular verb

E.g. Daddy, as well as my brothers, is enjoying the party.The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

Compound nouns will take singular verb.

E.g : Breaking and entering is against the law.Bed and breakfast was charm.Bread and jam is my favourite breakfast.

Rules 7 and 8:If a singular subject is followed by a phrase containing a plural noun, the verb is singular.

Examples: One of the boys is yelling so loud.

One of the members is against the rule.

One of the boxes is open.

The indefinite pronouns SEVERAL, FEW, BOTH, MANY , OTHERS are always plural.

Examples: Both were asking to be freed.

Several are seeking justice.

Rules 9 and 10:

The indefinite pronouns SOME, MOST, ALL, NONE are singular or plural according to the meaning of the sentence.

Examples: Some of the girls were absent.

Some of the ice cream is left.

When any of the following indefinite pronouns is the subject, the verb is singular: EVERYBODY, EACH, NO ONE, ANOTHER, ANYBODY, NOBODY, EVERY,NOTHING, EVERYTHING, ANYONE, EITHER, NEITHER, EVERYONE, SOMEBODY, SOMEONE.

Example: Every man and woman in this hall is a member.

Rules 11 and 12: Expressions of time, money, weight,and distance are singular even if the form is plural.

Examples: Two years is a long time to wait.

One million dollars was given back to the owner.

The following words are always plural: PANTS, TROUSERS, PLIERS, SCISSORS, SHEARS, TONGS. However, if the word PAIR is used, the verb is singular.

Examples: The pants are torn into two.

The pair of scissors was placed on the table.

Some more Rules:

Some nouns, while plural in form, are actually singular in meaning.

Example: Mathematics is (not are) an easy subject for some people. Civics is my favourite subject.

Mumps is a contagious disease. A million dollars is needed to renovate that building.

The latest news is alarming to the public

The name of a country is always regarded as singular.

Examples: The Bahamas has beautiful beaches. Philippines is a wondrous place.

Rules continued:Collective noun takes singular verb.

A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. This is a key rule for understanding subjects

Examples: Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and fragrance to the room.

Correct: A bouquet of yellow roses lends . . . (bouquet lends, not roses lend)

1. A huge swarm of locusts _______ destroyed the crops. (have/ has)2. The pack of dogs ______ running off in different directions.(was/were)3. The committee _________ formed in 2012.(was/ were)4. An average family __________of four people. (consists/ consist)5.The choir ________ready for the prayer. (is /are)

Rules continued:

Names of organizations take a singular verb when the whole organization is referred to, and a plural verb when the members are referred to.

Examples: Lopez and Sons is a successful organization.

Lopez and Sons are holding a two- day annual meeting.

Titles of books, plays, articles, movies, etc. are regarded as singular even though words in the title may be plural.

Examples: “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities” is a story by D. Schwartz.

“Great Expectations” is a must- read novel.

Let’s check your understanding :1. One of my friends (has/have) gone to France. 2. Each of the boys (were/was) given a present. 3. Neither of the contestants (were/was) able to win a decisive victory.4. Oil and water (do/does) not mix. 5. He and I (was/were) at Oxford together. 6. Some of the pie (are/is) missing.7. Slow and steady (win/wins) the race.8. Five gallons of oil (were/was) required to get the engine running. 9. The bed and breakfast (was/were) charming.

10. My aunt or my uncle (are/is) arriving by train today

Answers

1. Has2. Was3. Was4. Do5. Were6. Is7. Wins8. Was9. Was

10. is

:-) Let’s do some more:

1. Five years (are/is) the maximum sentence for that offense.2. Ten dollars (is/are) a high price to pay.3. Neither Peter nor James (have/has) any right to the property. 4. No prize or medal (were/was) given to the boy, though he stood first in the

examination. 5. Either Mary or Alice (is/are) responsible for this.6. Measles (are/is) a deadly disease. 7. The Avengers (are/is) a Marvel studio film.8. To walk and to chew gum (requires/require) great skill.9. A lot of the pie (have/has) disappeared.

10. Either of the books (are/is) fine for MAT preparation.

Answers

1. Is2. Is3. has4. Was5. is6. Is7. Is8. Require9. Has

10. is