AGREEMENT OF THE VERB WITH ITS SUBJECT

In a sentence, the Verb and the Subject must be in agreement so far as Number and Person are concerned.  You know, there are two Numbers : Singular and Plural.

Singular Subjects	Plural Subjects	Both Singular and Plural Subjects
I, he, she, it	we, they	You

	First Person	Second Person	Third Person
Singular	I am/was/have I drive I hear	You are/were/have You drive You hear	He/She/It is/was/has He/She/It drives He/She/It hears

The Personal Pronouns –he/she/it always take a Singular Verb; we/you/they always take a Plural Verb; and I takes a Singular Verb when used with am/was, and it takes Plural Verb otherwise.

Other Common Rules :

1. If the Subject is in Singular, the Verb should also be in Singular, and if the Subject is in Plural, the Verb should also be in Plural; for example :

That little baby cries for milk very often.

That young girl asks so many questions.

They have found some secret treasure.

I am looking into this matter.

Those ships stay only in the deep water.

Some people were able to swim to safety.

 2. If two or more Singular Subjects are joined by and, a Plural Verb is used :

Mangoes and bananas are tasty fruits.

You and I have many things in common.

The camels and giraffes are long-necked animals.

 3.Sometimes two Singular Subjects can point out to one person or thing; in such a situation, a Singular Verb will be used, otherwise not; for example :

Sarson da saag and makke di roti is a Punjabi dish. (one food)

The curry and the vegetable have not mixed well. (two things)

The author and editor is speaking to the media. (one person)

The author and the editor are coming together. (two persons)

Food for Thought : Look at the use of Article 'the' in the above examples.

4. The names of some books, newspapers, countries etc. appear to be in Plural, but they take a Singular Verb :

The Vigbyor Shades is a fine book.

The Hindustan Times is mostly sold in north India.

The United States is under a large debt now.

5. Some Nouns appear to be Plural, but they are Singular, and take a Singular Verb; for example : mathematics, news, ethics, economics, innings, politics etc.

Civics deals with the government.

Economics has to be applied in modern India today.

This news was unbelievable.

The first innings has fetched only two hundred runs.

5. When the Subject is one of, followed by a Plural Noun (such as one of the players), then the Verb has to be in the Singular :

One of the stars is shining as brightly as the moon.

One of the players was still in the pavilion.

6.When the compound Subject consists of two or more parts connected by or, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, the Verb should agree with the part immediately preceding the Verb; for example :

He or I am in the wrong.

Either you or he is lighting a stove.

Neither he nor we have felt sad at his demise.

The member or his family members were talking loudly.

Not only the dictionary but also the books have to be brought here.

Either the some of the bricks or the entire wall has brought down.

7.Some Nouns can indicate either a singular entity or a plural entity, such as distance, weight, length, time, sum etc. If it indicates a singular entity, a Singular Verb is used, and a Plural Verb will be used for a plural entity; for example :

Two hours have already passed. But two hours is not a long time.

Two kilometres is not a tough race.

8.When a Collective Noun is used as a Subject, you have to see whether it is used as a single entity or as having several constituent parts. A Singular Verb is used in the former case, while a Plural Verb will be needed for the latter; for example :

The audience is enjoying the play greatly. (the whole audience as one entity)

The audience have started to shout slogans and throw tomatoes. (all spectators have not done it.)

The class was sent to the library. (all students of the class)

The class were sent to the library. (not all students)

9.You know about Countable and Uncountable Nouns, don’t you? If the Subject is Countable and is Plural, a Plural Verb should be used; for example :

Two bars of chocolates are lying on the table; their chocolate is very good quality.

Some players are enjoying themselves, but the team spirit is good.

However, if the Subject is Uncountable, a Singular Verb is used; for example :

Cricket is a fine game, so is billiards.

Some of the grass has been mowed.

10.You have read about Relative Pronouns (who, which, that, whose etc.). They refer to an antecedent. So, a Verb used for them should in fact be in agreement with the antecedent they refer to. So, you should be careful to point out the antecedent; for example :

* Incorrect : That student is one of those who is absent.

Correct : That student is one of those who are absent.

In these examples, 'who' points to 'those (students)' and not 'that student'.

* Incorrect : This is that tree among all the trees which have not been watered.  

* Correct : This is that tree which among all the trees which has not been watered.

In this example, 'which' points to 'that tree' and not 'all the trees'.

One of the puppies that was silent was in her lap.

One of the houses which was strong and large was not damaged in the fire.