We know that a sentence is made of different components like nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, preposition, articles etc. Subject-verb-agreement is basically is a relationship between the subject and verb of a sentence. We are going to give you some very basic rules to keep in mind while making a sentence.
#Rule 1
A singular subject takes a singular verb.#Rule 2
A plural subject takes a plural verb.Singular subject refers to a single noun or pronoun.
Singular
|
Plural
|
|---|---|
A dog
barks.
|
Dogs bark.
|
A girl
dances beautifully.
|
Girls dance beautifully.
|
It has three sections
|
These have three sections.
|
He is playing hockey.
|
They are playing hockey.
|
'I' is used as a singular subject, but it always takes a plural verb or singular verb.
I am busy. (Singular verb)
I have a pen. (Plural verb)
I was a student. (Singular verb)
'You' is used as a singular noun or plural noun, but it always takes a plural verb.
You are busy. (Plural verb)
You have studied English. (Plural verb)
You were going to market. (Plural verb)
#Rule 3
'Need not' and 'dare not' are used in plural form always whether the subject is plural or singular. 'To' is not used after need not and dare not.
He need not go there.
They need not go there
He dare not oppose his father.
They dare not oppose their father.
But needs and dares are used with singular subjects, while need and dare are used with plural subjects. 'To' can be used after dares and needs.
He needs some money.
They need some money.
He dares to face the challenge.
They dare to face the challenge.
#Rule 4
If two singular nouns are joined by 'and' and used as the subject, it takes plural verb.
Ram and Shyam are friends.
Ravi and Mani have played well.
A man and a woman are walking in the park.
Exception- Pair words like bread and butter, bag and baggage, rice etc. are considered singular nouns/subjects and always take singular verb.
Rice and curry is my favourite.
His bag and baggage is ready.
If two singular uncountable nouns used as subject are joined by 'and', then plural verb is used.
But if we are referring family relations, then we use plural verbs.
Time and tide wait for none.
Sun and moon provide energy.
Gold and silver are expensive metals.
My mother and father are very loving.
My brother and sister are living in Delhi.
#Rule 5
If two singular nouns/adjectives are joined by 'and' and the first noun is preceded by an article (a/an/the) or possessive pronouns (my, her, his, their etc.), then we use singular verb.
The teacher and student has attended the meeting.
My uncle and guardian was very generous and kind.
A writer and poet visits the art gallery.
A black and white dog was playing in the ground.
#Rule 6
If two singular nouns/adjectives joined by 'and' and both the nouns are preceded by an article or possessive pronoun, then we use plural verb.
The teacher and the student have attended the meeting.
My uncle and my guardian are very generous and kind.
A writer and a poet visit the art gallery.
A black and a black dog were playing in the ground.
#Rule 7
If two or more than two singular nouns are joined by 'and' and each is used before first noun, then we use singular verb.
Each shirt and pant is black.
Each boy and girl is intelligent.
Each of + plural noun/plural pronoun takes singular verb.
Each of the students is hardworking.
Each of them has a blue shirt.
#Rule 8
Plural noun/plural pronoun + each takes plural verb.
The students each have an English book.
They each have a motorbike.
#Rule 9
Either/neither is used as a subject and takes a singular verb.
There are two books, either is good.
There are two rooms, neither has an air-conditioner.
#Rule 10
Either/neither + singular countable noun refers to singular subject and takes a singular verb.
Either pen writes well.
Neither boy is intelligent.
#Rule 11
Noun + of + noun is used then we take verb according to the first noun.
The students of my class are intelligent.
The son of John is very innocent.
So, these are the basic subject verb agreement rules. Hope you all will try to prepare these and in our next post of English Grammar, we will try to describe you some more rules. Keep practicing!!!!!
