Subject verb Concord

In a sentence or a clause,

the ‘Verb’ should be used according to the ‘Number and Person of the Subject’ of that sentence or a clause.

In other words,

A verb must   agree with its Number and Person.

Ex.

 A group of black birds is sitting on a branch.

Here

Some information is given about ‘a group’ (not birds)

So,

The  ‘A group’ or one group of birds (not birds)  is singular

Hence,

 the verb should be singular I.e., ‘is'.

  Singular subject = singular verb

Rules of subject verb agreement

  1. Singular subjects need singular verbs.

Plural subjects need plural verbs

  • The ship was sailing in the sea.

Subject =ship (singular)

Verb = is (singular)

  • The stars were shining.

      Subject =stars (plural)

Verb = are (plural)

Ex.

The girls are riding bicycle.

The labours are protesting.

  1. Uncountable Noun:

uncountable nouns, as the name suggests cannot be separated or counted.

If subject is an uncountable noun its verb should be always singular.

Uncountable noun – singular verb

  • Unemployment is still prevalent in our country after many decades of Freedom.
  • Courage is required to be a soldier.
  • Silence is a best way to protest.
  • Her jewellery is looking artificial.

Examples of uncountable nouns

Abstract ideas

happiness, truth, darkness, humour, information, intelligence, potential, progress, success, news, luck, fun, work, fear, adventure, guilt, cowardice, bravery etc

Materials nouns and food grains

water, rice, cement, gold, milk, sugar, oil, petrol etc

natural phenomenon

 weather, thunder, lightning, rain, snow, air.

collections or class of things: 

furniture, equipment, rubbish, luggage, machinery, cutlery, crockery

Other common uncountable noun

 accommodation, baggage, homework, knowledge, money, permission, research, traffic, travel.

  1. One of + Plural Noun – singular verb

the verb of the subject consists of ‘one of + plural noun’, is singular

  • One of the boys was sitting alone.
    • One of the birds was injured.
  • One of the dresses was really nice.
  1. Long Subject

If subject is not a single word but a phrase or group of words

Verb should be according to the word about which information is given

The birds sitting on the roof are chirping.

Here,

Information is shared about birds (they are chirping not the tree) who are plural so verb should be ‘are'

Ex.

  • The chairs which I bought yesterday are very costly.
  • The woman whom I met in the market was my friend’s sister.
  • The girl in green uniform is of our school.
  1. Subject is consisting of nouns showing Distances, Weight, height or amounts of money

If subject is consisting of nouns showing Distances, Weight, height or amounts of money -singular verb is used (even when the subject is plural)

  • Ten lac rupees is a big sum to be arranged in a month.
  • Three litre petrol is not enough for such a long distance.
  • Five hundred feet above sea level is not a great height.
  1. Nouns with plural form but Singular Meaning - take a singular verb

Some nouns with singular meanings are:

Politics, mumps, The Philippines, The Netherlands, innings, billiards, Acoustics, rabies etc.

Ex.

  • physics is related to the study of energy and force.
  • That news was fake.

Diabetes is disease caused by hormonal ddisorder.

7. A collective noun such as jury, committee, family, flock, troop, regiment etc.

  • takes a singular verb -if considered one unit.
  •  take a plural verb – if considered as more than one unit.

   Ex.

  • The troop of soldiers is sent in different directions. (One troop)
  • The troop of soldiers of the different countries are sent in different region. (more than one troop)

8.Nouns which are always in pairs

Ex.

Shoes, scissors ‘trousers, tongs, spectacles, binoculars, headphones, glasses, tweezers, shorts etc.

  • Considered plural and take plural verbs
  1. Shoes are bought by him.
  2. Your trousers are too loose to me.
  • If preceded by ‘a pair of’ take a singular verb
  1. A pair of shoes is bought by him.
  2. A pair of trousers is hanging in the balcony.
  •  

9. Nouns which are preceded by a lot of, a plenty of, a great deal of, etc.

  • take a singular verb when they refer to amount or quantity.
    1. A plenty of water was supplied to the villagers.
    2. A lot of cream is required to prepare this cake.
  •   take a plural verb when they refer to number
    1. A lot of people visit the exhibition.

2. A plenty of water animals are found in this lake.

10.  The subject, consisting of two singular nouns or pronouns joined by the phrases such as ‘as well as’, in addition to, except, etc., take a singular verb.

  • Sam as well as his brother has come.
  • My granny in addition to our neighbour has gone out for a walk.
  • Everyone except Sia was interested in the proposal.
    1.  

11. If some nouns are regarded as one unit, they take a singular verb

  • Bread and butter is wholesome food.
  • The novelist and poet is dead.
    1.  

12. Phrases consisting of

The title of a book, the name of a house or a hotel in plural take a singular verb

  • “The Arabian Nights” has interesting stories.
  • “The Hotel Brewers” is a five-star hotel.
  • Percy Jackson and The Lightening Thief is full of adventure and fantasy .x
    1.  

13. ndefinite pronouns such as:

"each," "each one," "either," "neither," "everyone," "everybody," "anyone," "anybody," "nobody," "somebody," "someone," and "no one"

 are singular and require a singular verb.

E.g

  • Each child is needed to be vaccinated.
  • Either of the coats is nice
  • Neither of the students was absent.
  • Everybody has got surprised.

14. If two or more subjects are connected by ‘nor’ or ‘or’, the verb agrees with the noun nearest to it

Ex.

  1. Neither she nor her sisters are agreeing with the will.
  • Verb is plural as sisters(plural) is nearest
  1. Neither her sisters nor her Sia is agree with the will.
  • Verb is singular as Sia (singular) is nearest

15. If the sentence begins with ‘There, the verb agrees with the number of noun that follows it.

Ex.

There are twelve teams participating in the championship.

16.When two subjects are joined by as well as the verb agrees with first subject

 Ex.

  • He as well as his classmates is hard working.
  •  His classmates as well as he are hard working.

17.When two or more singular subjects are connected by ‘with’ ‘together with’ ‘ and not’ ‘no less than’ ‘besides' the verb is in singular

Ex.

  • She and not you  is at fault
  •  The servant together with the master has left