Chapter: Subject–Verb Agreement

Concord of Subject and Verb in English Sentences

For Classes IX & X — CBSE Board English Grammar

1. Introduction

Language is a system governed by rules. Just as the rules of arithmetic ensure that calculations produce correct results, the rules of grammar ensure that sentences convey meaning accurately, clearly, and without ambiguity. Among the most fundamental of these grammatical rules is the principle of agreement — the requirement that certain words in a sentence must match each other in specific grammatical features.

In English grammar, the most important form of agreement is Subject–Verb Agreement, also known as Concord. It states that the verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). This principle is the backbone of correct sentence construction.

Consider the following pair of sentences:

• “The boy plays cricket.” — ✔ Correct
• “The boy play cricket.” — ✘ Incorrect

In the first sentence, the singular subject “boy” is correctly matched with the singular verb “plays.” In the second, the mismatch between a singular subject and a plural verb form creates a grammatical error. This error — a violation of subject–verb agreement — is one of the most common mistakes students make, and one of the most frequently tested topics in CBSE board examinations.

The difficulty arises not from the basic rule itself, which is simple, but from the many complex sentence structures in English where the true subject is hidden, modified, or separated from its verb by other words. A student who masters only the basic rule but ignores the detailed rules and exceptions will inevitably make errors. Therefore, this chapter provides a systematic, comprehensive, and rule-by-rule study of subject–verb agreement, covering every standard pattern that appears in academic usage and examination questions.

Mastering this chapter will not only help you score well in grammar-based questions in your CBSE examinations — including gap-filling, editing, error-correction, and sentence-transformation tasks — but will also improve the overall quality and correctness of your spoken and written English.

2. Learning Objectives

After a thorough study of this chapter, you will be able to:

• Define subject–verb agreement and explain the concepts of number and person.
• State and apply the basic rule: singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
• Apply all detailed rules of agreement for compound subjects, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, fractions, inverted sentences, relative pronouns, and other special structures.
• Identify and correct errors in subject–verb agreement in sentences and passages.
• Distinguish between tricky and misleading subjects that often cause wrong agreement.
• Solve CBSE board-level MCQs, fill-in-the-blanks, editing, and sentence-correction exercises with accuracy and confidence.

3. The Core Concept: Understanding Agreement

3.1 What Is Subject–Verb Agreement?

Subject–Verb Agreement is the grammatical principle that states: a verb must agree with its subject in number and person. This means the form of the verb must change to match whether the subject is singular or plural, and whether it is in the first, second, or third person.

3.2 Understanding Number

Number refers to whether a noun, pronoun, or verb is singular (referring to one) or plural (referring to more than one).

3.3 Understanding Person

3.4 The Crucial Point About Verb Forms

A common source of confusion for students is the opposite behaviour of -s/-es for nouns versus verbs:

3.5 Verb Forms of “Be,” “Have,” and “Do”

The most common verbs in English — be, have, do — have special forms that must be carefully matched with their subjects:

4. The Basic Rule

Examples:

This basic rule is the foundation. However, real English sentences are seldom this simple. The subject may be compound, collective, indefinite, inverted, or separated from the verb by long phrases. The rest of this chapter addresses every such situation in detail.

5. Detailed Rules of Subject–Verb Agreement

The following rules cover every major pattern of subject–verb agreement that students encounter in CBSE examinations and in academic English. Study each rule carefully, understand the logic behind it, and practise the examples.

Rule 1: Compound Subjects Joined by “AND”

Rule Statement: When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” they form a compound subject and usually take a plural verb, as together they refer to more than one entity.

Examples:

1. Ravi and Mohan are best friends. — (Two persons → plural)
2. The teacher and the principal have arrived.
3. Gold and silver are precious metals.
4. Honesty and integrity make a person trustworthy.

Exception 1: When “and” Joins Words Referring to the Same Person or Thing

If two nouns joined by “and” refer to the same person, same thing, or a single idea, the subject is treated as singular and takes a singular verb.

1. The Principal and Chairman has resigned. — (One person who holds both posts; note the single article “The”)
2. Bread and butter is his usual breakfast. — (A single dish considered as one unit)
3. Rice and dal is a staple food in India. — (One combined meal)
4. Slow and steady wins the race. — (A single proverbial concept)
5. The poet and philosopher is no more. — (Same person is both poet and philosopher)

Exception 2: When “Each” or “Every” Precedes the Compound Subject

When “each” or “every” comes before subjects joined by “and,” the verb is singular, because the emphasis is on each individual separately.

1. Each boy and each girl was given a certificate.
2. Every man, woman, and child needs clean water.
3. Every student and every teacher has been informed.

Rule 2: Subjects Joined by “OR” or “NOR”

Rule Statement: When two or more subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject nearest to the verb. This is called the Proximity Rule or the Rule of the Nearest Subject.

Examples:

1. Ravi or his brothers are at fault. — (Nearest subject: “brothers” → plural verb)
2. His brothers or Ravi is at fault. — (Nearest subject: “Ravi” → singular verb)
3. Neither the boy nor his parents were at home. — (Nearest: “parents” → plural)
4. Neither the parents nor the boy was at home. — (Nearest: “boy” → singular)

Rule 3: Either…Or / Neither…Nor

Rule Statement: In “either…or” and “neither…nor” constructions, the verb agrees with the subject nearest to the verb (proximity rule, same as Rule 2).

Examples:

1. Either the captain or the players have to take responsibility. — (Nearest: “players” → plural)
2. Either the players or the captain has to take responsibility. — (Nearest: “captain” → singular)
3. Neither she nor her friends are coming. — (Nearest: “friends” → plural)
4. Either you or I am mistaken. — (Nearest: “I” → first person singular verb)
5. Either I or you are mistaken. — (Nearest: “you” → verb “are”)

Rule 4: Intervening Phrases — “Together with,” “As well as,” “Along with,” etc.

Rule Statement: When the subject is followed by phrases such as together with, along with, as well as, in addition to, accompanied by, besides, like, unlike, including, excluding, no less than, rather than, with, the verb agrees with the original subject only. These phrases do not change the number of the subject.

Examples:

1. The teacher, along with her students, has gone on a field trip. — (Subject: “teacher” → singular)
2. Rani, as well as her sisters, was invited. — (Subject: “Rani” → singular)
3. The captain, together with the players, is on the ground.
4. The Prime Minister, accompanied by his ministers, has arrived.
5. The bouquet of roses was beautiful. — (Subject: “bouquet,” not “roses”)
6. The quality of the mangoes is excellent. — (Subject: “quality,” not “mangoes”)
7. Mohan, besides his friends, was present at the ceremony.

Rule 5: Collective Nouns

Rule Statement: A collective noun — a noun that refers to a group of individuals as a single unit — takes a singular verb when the group acts as one body, and a plural verb when the members act individually or are divided.

Common collective nouns: team, class, committee, family, army, audience, jury, crowd, flock, herd, group, government, staff, public, mob, council, crew, choir, band, gang, bunch, fleet.

Singular Verb — Group Acting as One:

1. The committee has taken its decision.
2. The class is very disciplined.
3. The team has won the match.
4. The jury has announced the verdict.
5. The audience was spellbound.

Plural Verb — Members Acting Individually:

1. The committee are divided in their opinions.
2. The jury were unable to agree among themselves.
3. The family have gone to their respective rooms.
4. The team are arguing over the strategy.

Rule 6: Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns do not refer to specific persons or things. They follow special agreement rules based on their category.

6A: Always Singular Indefinite Pronouns

The following indefinite pronouns are always singular and take singular verbs:

each  |  every  |  everyone  |  everybody  |  everything  |  someone  |  somebody  |  something  |  anyone  |  anybody  |  anything  |  no one  |  nobody  |  nothing  |  one  |  either  |  neither

1. Each of the boys has done his homework.
2. Everyone in the class is present.
3. Nobody knows the truth.
4. Somebody has stolen my pen.
5. Everything was in order.
6. One of the windows is broken.
7. Neither of the answers is correct.

6B: Always Plural Indefinite Pronouns

both  |  few  |  many  |  several  |  others

1. Both of them are talented.
2. Many were called, but few were chosen.
3. Several of the pages are torn.

6C: Singular or Plural — Depending on Context

some  |  any  |  all  |  most  |  none

These pronouns take a singular verb if they refer to an uncountable noun, and a plural verb if they refer to a countable plural noun.

1. Some of the milk has gone bad. — (milk = uncountable → singular)
2. Some of the books have been sold. — (books = countable plural → plural)
3. All of the work is complete. — (work = uncountable → singular)
4. All the students have passed. — (students = plural → plural)
5. Most of the food was wasted. — (food = uncountable → singular)
6. Most of the players were injured. — (players = plural → plural)
7. None of the water is clean. — (water = uncountable → singular)
8. None of the answers are correct. — (answers = plural → plural)

Rule 7: “A Number of” vs. “The Number of”

Rule Statement:

• “A number of” means “many” → takes a plural verb.
• “The number of” means “the total count” → takes a singular verb.

Examples:

1. A number of students were absent today. — (= Many students → plural)
2. The number of students in the school has increased. — (= The count → singular)
3. A number of complaints have been received.
4. The number of accidents is alarming.

Rule 8: Uncountable Nouns and Nouns That Look Plural but Are Singular

8A: Uncountable Nouns — Always Singular

Uncountable nouns (also called mass nouns) cannot be counted individually. They are always treated as singular.

Common uncountable nouns: water, milk, bread, information, news, furniture, luggage, baggage, advice, equipment, homework, scenery, poetry, machinery, stationery, crockery, knowledge, hair, music, traffic.

1. The furniture is very old.
2. His luggage has been checked.
3. Information has been shared with all departments.
4. The scenery is breathtaking.

8B: Nouns Ending in “-s” but Singular in Meaning

Some nouns end in -s and appear plural but are actually singular and take singular verbs.

Such nouns include: news, mathematics, physics, economics, politics (as a subject), ethics (as a field), civics, linguistics, measles, mumps, rickets, billiards, draughts, innings, gymnastics, athletics (as a discipline).

1. Mathematics is my favourite subject.
2. The news was shocking.
3. Physics requires a lot of practice.
4. Measles is a contagious disease.
5. The first innings was excellent.

8C: Nouns That Are Always Plural

Certain nouns exist only in the plural form and always take plural verbs:

Examples: scissors, trousers, spectacles, pliers, tongs, binoculars, shorts, jeans, pyjamas, pants, goods, proceeds, wages, riches, alms, thanks, congratulations, premises, outskirts, stairs.

1. The scissors are on the table.
2. His trousers are torn.
3. My spectacles have been misplaced.
4. The proceeds of the sale were donated to charity.

Note: When such nouns are preceded by “a pair of,” the subject becomes “pair” (singular), and the verb is singular:

• A pair of scissors is needed.
• This pair of trousers was expensive.

Rule 9: Titles, Names of Books, and Names of Subjects

Rule Statement: Titles of books, films, organisations, and names of countries (even if they appear plural) are treated as singular and take a singular verb, because they refer to one entity.

1. “The Arabian Nights” is a famous collection of stories.
2. “Gulliver’s Travels” is written by Jonathan Swift.
3. The United States is a powerful nation.
4. The United Nations has its headquarters in New York.
5. “Three Men in a Boat” is an amusing novel.

Rule 10: Distance, Time, Money, and Weight as Singular Units

Rule Statement: When expressions of distance, time, money, or weight refer to a single unit or a lump sum, they are treated as singular and take a singular verb.

1. Five kilometres is a long distance to walk.
2. Ten years is a long time to wait.
3. Two hundred rupees is not a large amount.
4. Fifty kilograms is too heavy for a child to carry.
5. Three hours was the time allowed for the examination.
6. A thousand dollars is what he earns each month.

However: When such expressions refer to individual units rather than a collective quantity, they take a plural verb:

• Five rupees were lying on the floor. — (Individual coins)
• Ten years have passed since we last met. — (Individual years passing separately)

Rule 11: Fractions and Percentages

Rule Statement: When the subject is a fraction or percentage, the verb agrees with the noun in the “of” phrase that follows.

1. Half of the cake has been eaten. — (cake = singular → singular verb)
2. Half of the students have left. — (students = plural → plural verb)
3. Two-thirds of the work is complete. — (work = uncountable → singular)
4. Two-thirds of the books have been sold. — (books = plural → plural)
5. Fifty percent of the population is literate. — (population = singular → singular)
6. Forty percent of the employees were absent. — (employees = plural → plural)

Rule 12: Inverted Sentences — “There is / There are”

Rule Statement: In sentences beginning with “There” or “Here,” the subject comes after the verb. The verb must agree with the real subject that follows it, not with the introductory word “There/Here.”

1. There is a book on the table. — (Real subject: “a book” → singular)
2. There are many books on the table. — (Real subject: “many books” → plural)
3. Here comes the bus. — (Real subject: “the bus” → singular)
4. There was a strange noise last night.
5. There were several errors in the essay.
6. There is a lot of traffic on this road. — (traffic = uncountable → singular)
7. There are a lot of cars on this road. — (cars = plural → plural)

Rule 13: Relative Pronouns — “Who,” “Which,” “That”

Rule Statement: When a relative pronoun (who, which, that) is the subject of a relative clause, the verb in the clause agrees with the antecedent (the noun that the pronoun refers to).

1. It is I who am to blame. — (Antecedent of “who” = “I” → verb: “am”)
2. It is the students who are responsible. — (Antecedent: “students” → plural verb)
3. She is one of those girls who work very hard. — (Antecedent: “girls” → plural)
4. This is the book that was recommended by the teacher. — (Antecedent: “book” → singular)
5. He is the only one of the students who has scored full marks. — (Antecedent: “one” → singular. The phrase “the only one” changes the antecedent.)

Rule 14: Gerund or Infinitive as Subject

Rule Statement: When a gerund (verb + -ing used as a noun) or an infinitive (to + verb) functions as the subject of a sentence, it is treated as singular and takes a singular verb.

1. Swimming is a good exercise.
2. Reading books improves vocabulary.
3. To err is human.
4. Walking in the morning keeps us healthy.
5. Telling lies is a bad habit.

Rule 15: “Not only…but also” and “Not…but”

Rule Statement: In constructions using “not only…but also” or “not…but,” the verb agrees with the subject nearest to the verb (proximity rule).

1. Not only the students but also the teacher was surprised. — (Nearest: “teacher” → singular)
2. Not only the teacher but also the students were surprised. — (Nearest: “students” → plural)
3. Not the boys but the girl has won the prize.

Rule 16: “A Lot of,” “Plenty of,” “A Great Deal of,” “Lots of”

Rule Statement: These expressions follow the same principle as fractions — the verb agrees with the noun that follows “of.”

1. A lot of water has been wasted. — (water = uncountable → singular)
2. A lot of people were present. — (people = plural → plural)
3. Plenty of food is available. — (food = uncountable → singular)
4. Plenty of chairs are available. — (chairs = plural → plural)
5. A great deal of effort has been put in. — (effort = uncountable → singular)

6. Special Cases and Exceptions

6.1 “Many a” / “More than one”

Although these expressions convey a plural idea, they are followed by a singular noun and take a singular verb.

1. Many a student has failed in this exam.
2. More than one person was injured in the accident.
3. Many a time I have warned him.

6.2 “One of” + Plural Noun

“One of” is always followed by a plural noun, but the subject is “one” (singular), so the verb is singular.

1. One of the boys was absent.
2. One of these books belongs to me.
3. One of my friends lives in Chennai.

6.3 The Noun “People”

“People” (meaning persons) is always plural:

• People are kind. ✔
• People is kind. ✘

But “a people” (meaning a nation or ethnic group) can be singular: “The Indian people are diverse.”

6.4 “The poor,” “The rich,” “The old,” “The young”

When adjectives are used with “the” to refer to a class of people, they are treated as plural:

1. The poor need our help.
2. The old deserve respect.
3. The rich are not always happy.

6.5 Mathematical Expressions

In arithmetic sentences, the verb is typically singular because the result is a single quantity:

1. Two and two makes four.
2. Five times five is twenty-five.

6.6 “The + Adjective + Noun” vs. “The + Adjective” (as noun)

Do not confuse singular nouns modified by adjectives with adjectival nouns:

• The tall boy is my brother. → (singular noun → singular verb)
• The tall are often good at basketball. → (adjectival noun = a class of people → plural verb)

7. Common Errors in Subject–Verb Agreement

The following are the most frequently observed errors among students. Study each one carefully and understand the correction.

8. Quick Reference: All Rules at a Glance

9. Practice Exercises

Exercise A: Choose the Correct Verb (MCQ Type)

Select the correct verb form from the options given in brackets.

1. The list of items (is / are) posted on the notice board.
2. Neither the teacher nor the students (was / were) aware of the change.
3. Each of the participants (has / have) been given a certificate.
4. The team (is / are) celebrating its victory.
5. Mathematics (is / are) not everyone’s favourite subject.
6. “Gulliver’s Travels” (is / are) written by Jonathan Swift.
7. A number of houses (was / were) damaged in the flood.
8. The number of visitors (has / have) increased this year.
9. Either you or he (has / have) done it.
10. Bread and butter (is / are) his usual breakfast.
11. The news of the earthquake (was / were) alarming.
12. There (is / are) several reasons for the delay.
13. Fifty percent of the work (has / have) been completed.
14. One of the windows (is / are) broken.
15. The poor (needs / need) our help.

Exercise B: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Verb Form

Fill in each blank with the correct form of the verb given in brackets.

1. Neither of the two answers __________ correct. (is / are)
2. The furniture in the drawing room __________ very expensive. (is / are)
3. The poet and philosopher __________ no more. (is / are)
4. Everyone in the class __________ completed the assignment. (has / have)
5. Ram, as well as his friends, __________ going to the picnic. (is / are)
6. Five hundred rupees __________ a fair price for this book. (is / are)
7. Many a student __________ failed in this examination. (has / have)
8. Both of them __________ qualified for the scholarship. (has / have)
9. Half of the oranges __________ rotten. (was / were)
10. Swimming __________ an excellent exercise. (is / are)
11. Every boy and every girl __________ given a book. (was / were)
12. The scissors __________ on the table. (is / are)
13. None of the milk __________ left in the bottle. (is / are)
14. Neither she nor her parents __________ present at the meeting. (was / were)
15. A lot of damage __________ been done by the cyclone. (has / have)

Exercise C: Error Correction

Each sentence contains one error in subject–verb agreement. Identify the error, underline it, and rewrite the corrected sentence.

1. The quality of the mangoes are not satisfactory.
2. There is many problems to solve in this worksheet.
3. Neither the principal nor the teachers has agreed to the proposal.
4. Each of the girls have been given a certificate.
5. The United States are a powerful country.
6. Slow and steady win the race.
7. A number of complaints has been received by the office.
8. Everybody know the answer to this question.
9. The committee have reached a unanimous decision.
10. Ten kilometres are not a very long distance for him.
11. The furniture in all the rooms are old and damaged.
12. His trouser is torn at the knee.
13. The poet and the philosopher are dead. (One person)
14. None of the information given to us were accurate.
15. It is the students who has made this mistake.

Exercise D: Mixed Practice — MCQs (Exam-Style)

Q1. “The jury __________ unable to reach a unanimous verdict.” Fill in with the correct option:

(a) was    (b) were    (c) has    (d) have

Q2. Choose the correct sentence:

(a) Neither of the boys have come.
(b) Neither of the boys has come.
(c) Neither of the boys are come.
(d) Neither of the boys having come.

Q3. “The captain, along with his teammates, __________ left for the tournament.”

(a) have    (b) are    (c) has    (d) were

Q4. Identify the incorrect sentence:

(a) A number of trees were cut down.
(b) The number of trees have decreased.
(c) Everyone has been informed.
(d) The news is shocking.

Q5. “Two-thirds of the students __________ passed the examination.”

(a) has    (b) is    (c) have    (d) was

Q6. “Every man, woman, and child __________ the right to safety.”

(a) have    (b) has    (c) are having    (d) were having

Q7. “Not only the players but also the coach __________ disappointed.”

(a) were    (b) are    (c) was    (d) have been

Q8. “One of the girls who __________ selected is my cousin.”

(a) was    (b) were    (c) is    (d) has

Q9. “Either I or my brothers __________ going to the market.”

(a) am    (b) is    (c) are    (d) was

Q10. “The scissors on the table __________ mine.”

(a) is    (b) was    (c) are    (d) has been

10. Answer Key with Explanations

Exercise A: Answers

Exercise B: Answers

Exercise C: Answers

Exercise D: MCQ Answers

11. Chapter Summary

Subject–Verb Agreement is the grammatical rule that requires a verb to match its subject in number and person. It is one of the most fundamental principles of correct English sentence construction and one of the most frequently tested topics in CBSE examinations.

The essential points to remember are:

• A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.
• Subjects joined by “and” usually take a plural verb, except when they refer to the same person/thing or a single idea.
• With “or,” “nor,” “either…or,” “neither…nor,” “not only…but also,” the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
• Phrases like “along with,” “as well as,” “together with” do not change the number of the subject.
• Collective nouns take singular verbs when acting as a unit; plural when acting individually.
• Indefinite pronouns like each, everyone, nobody are always singular. Both, few, many, several are always plural. Some, all, most, none depend on the noun they refer to.
• “A number of” takes a plural verb; “The number of” takes a singular verb.
• Uncountable nouns, subject names ending in -s, titles of books, and news are singular.
• Distance, time, and money as single units take singular verbs.
• In inverted sentences (there is/are), the verb agrees with the real subject that follows.
• With relative pronouns, the verb agrees with the antecedent.
• Gerunds and infinitives as subjects take singular verbs.

Chapter: Subject–Verb Agreement — A Comprehensive Study for CBSE Classes IX & X

End of Chapter