Rule 1: The Basic Rule
A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb.
- Example (Singular): The cat sleeps on the sofa.
- Example (Plural): The cats sleep on the sofa.
Rule 2: Subjects Joined by ‘AND’
Subjects connected by ‘and’ usually take a plural verb.
- Example: Rahul and Priya are going to the market.
Exception: If the nouns refer to the same person/thing or form a single unit, use a singular verb.
- Example: Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast. (A single food item)
Rule 3: Subjects Joined by ‘OR’ / ‘NOR’ / ‘EITHER…OR’ / ‘NEITHER…NOR’
The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- Example: Neither the players nor the coach is to blame.
- Example: Neither the coach nor the players are to blame.
Rule 4: Words that come between the Subject and Verb
Ignore phrases like along with, as well as, together with, in addition to, etc. The verb agrees with the main subject.
- Example: The CEO, along with his assistants, is attending the meeting.
- Example: The players, as well as the captain, are excited.
Rule 5: Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
Pronouns like each, every, either, neither, anyone, someone, no one, everybody, somebody, are always singular.
- Example: Each of the students has a textbook.
- Example: Somebody has left their bag behind.
Note: ‘Some’, ‘All’, ‘None’, ‘Most’ can be singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to.
- Example (Singular): Some of the cake is gone. (Cake is uncountable)
- Example (Plural): Some of the cookies are gone. (Cookies are countable)
Rule 6: Collective Nouns
Nouns like team, committee, family, jury, etc., take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit. They take a plural verb when the individuals of the group act separately.
- Example (Singular): The jury has reached its verdict. (Acting as one)
- Example (Plural): The jury are still debating among themselves. (Acting as individuals)
Rule 7: ‘There’ / ‘Here’ as Sentence Starters
The verb agrees with the real subject that comes after it.
- Example: There are many books on the table.
- Example: Here is the file you were looking for.
Rule 8: Nouns that are always Plural
Nouns like trousers, scissors, spectacles, goods, thanks, etc., take a plural verb.
- Example: My spectacles are missing.
- Example: The goods were delivered yesterday.
Rule 9: Titles, Names, and Gerunds
The name of a book, country, or a gerund phrase as a subject takes a singular verb.
- Example (Title): “The Arabian Nights” has many interesting stories.
- Example (Gerund): Climbing mountains requires great skill.
Rule 10: Expressions of Quantity, Time, and Distance
When expressing an amount of money, a period of time, or a unit of distance, use a singular verb.
- Example (Money): Ten thousand rupees is a large amount.
- Example (Time): Five years is a long time to wait.
- Example (Distance): Fifty kilometers is a long way to walk.
Rule 11: ‘One of’ Constructions
In sentences starting with “One of the…”, the verb agrees with the plural noun that follows ‘of’, but ‘one’ remains the main subject, so the verb is singular.
- Correct: He is one of the boys who play football. (Here, ‘who’ refers to ‘boys’, so ‘play’ is plural).
- Correct: One of the books is missing. (Main subject is ‘one’).