Subject and Verb Agreement –
Using of Singular form of verbs or Plural form of verbs depend on following factors –
A . Singular form of verbs –
1 . When two singular nouns are added with ‘and’ – If there is any article ( a, an or the ) only before the first noun then those two nouns will treat as a single entity and will take singular forms of verbs – like is, was, has, wins , does, etc.
Examples – A white and black dog protects oplur home.
The teacher and mentor has responsibilities for the job . – In this sentence ‘the teacher and mentor’ is a single entity.
2 . Collective noun – If it acts as a single entity then we use a singular form of verbs.
Example – The committee is aware about its duties.
But if it doesn’t act as a single entity or emphasizing the individual members, then we use the plural form of verbs.
Examples – The committee are aware about their duties.
3 . Pair of nouns – If there is a pair of nouns like bread and butter, milk and bread, rice and curry, horse and carriage,slow and steady, etc then we use singular verbs after those nouns because those nouns act as a single entity.
Examples – Milk and bread is my breakfast.
The horse and carriage is standing near the park.
4 . If two singular nouns are added with ‘and’ ; there is each or every at the beginning of the first noun then we use singular verbs.
Examples – Each teacher and student has done a great job.
Every engineer and technician was perfect.
5. When two singular nouns are added with ‘and’ – If there are each or every before the both of those nouns then we also use singular form of verbs.
Examples – Each player and each trainer is doing well.
Every player and every trainer has good idea.
** Even if there are more than two nouns and there is each or every before the first one then we also use singular form of verbs.
Example – Each teacher, student and clerk is essential for an institution.
Every player, coach and mentor has
responsibilities.
6 . If each / either / neither is in the place of subject then we use singular form of verbs.
Examples –
They have three professors , either is efficient to complete the project.
The team has two forwards, each has a ability to score.
The team has two fast ballers , neither is available today.
7. If there is either or / neither nor in the sentence then the use of verbs depend on the subject used after ‘or’ / ‘nor’ .
Examples – Either you or I am going to meet him .
Neither Susan nor you are playing well.
Either you or she has to do this job.
Neither teachers nor students are wasting any time.
In each of these sentences the ‘verb’ is used as per the subject after the ‘or’ / ‘nor’. We used ‘am’ after ‘I’ , ‘are’ after ‘you’ , ‘has’ after ‘she and ‘are’ after ‘students.’
8. If a sentence starts with each then we use a singular form of verbs.
Examples – Either striker is effective to score goal.
Each of / Either of / Neither of – In these cases we use singular form of verbs.
Examples – Each of the players is essential for the victory.
Either of you wins the match.
Neither of us suggests any thing wrong.
9. Repeated singular noun – If we repeat a noun in a sentence, we use a singular form of verbs.
Example – Four and four is eight .
10. Relative pronouns – If we use Relative pronouns like that, who or which in a sentence then the use verb will depend on the subject used just before the Relative pronoun.
Examples –
You, who are my best friend.
I, who am his best friend, will help him .
He is the man who is responsible for the work.
This is a dog which has great ability.
This is the process that is essential to remember.
They are the students who are responsible for this
These are the trees which are my friends.
11. The Number of – In this case we use singular forms of verbs after subject or noun.
Examples – The number of players is decreasing in their camp.
12. Singular unit of measurement –
Thousand feet is a great height.
Hundred kms is a good distance.
In this case ‘thousand feet’ is a singular unit of measurement and does not act as a plural form.
13. As well as / together with – If we use these words in a sentence then we use verbs as per the subject used before the phrase ‘as well as’ or ‘together with.’
Examples – Susan, as well as his sister, has a great intelligence.
The children, as well as their guardians, are present in the meeting.
Rimo , together with his friends, was present at the party.
Here the subject ‘Susan’ and ‘Rimo’ are singular so we used a singular form of verb and ‘the children’ is plural so we used plural form of verb.
14. Like or unlike – In this case we use singular forms of verbs.
Examples – Tiger, like many other animals, has a tail.
Susan, unlike many other students, is so polite.
15. Not only but also – If we use not only but in a sentence then it takes singular verbs.
Examples – Not only the coach but also the player is also essential for the team.
B. Plural form of Verbs –
1 . When two singular nouns are added with ‘and’, we use plural forms of verbs.
Examples –
Susan and Rimo are playing together.
Susan and Rimo have new ideas.
2. When two singular nouns are added with ‘and’ ; if there are articles before two of those , then we use plural forms of verbs.
Examples –
The father and the baby are playing together.
The coach and the player have some experience.
3. A number of – If we use this phrase in a sentence it takes plural forms of verbs.
Examples –
A number of wickets were taken by him .
A number of students have been admitted to the course.
4. Collective noun – If it doesn’t act as a single entity or emphasizing the individual members, then we use the plural form of verbs.
Examples – The committee are aware about their duties.
If it acts as a single entity then we use a singular form of verbs.
Example – The committee is aware about its duties.
5. If there is either or / neither nor in the sentence then the use of verbs depend on the subject used after ‘or’ / ‘nor’ . It can be plural or singular forms of verbs.
Examples – Neither Susan nor you are playing well.
Either you or I am going to meet him .
Either you or she has to do this job.
Neither teachers nor students are wasting any time.
In each of these sentences the ‘verb’ is used as per the subject after the ‘or’ / ‘nor’. We used ‘am’ after ‘I’ , ‘are’ after ‘you’ , ‘has’ after ‘she and ‘are’ after ‘students.’
.
6. Relative pronouns – If we use Relative pronouns like that, who or which in a sentence then the use of verb will depend on the subject used just before the Relative pronoun.
Examples –
These are the trees which are my friends.
You, who are my best friend.
I, who am his best friend, will help him .
He is the man who is responsible for the work.
This is a dog which has great ability.
This is the process that is essential to remember.
They are the students who are responsible for this
7. As well as / together with – If we use these words in a sentence then we use verbs as per the subject used before the phrase ‘as well as’ or ‘together with.’
Examples –
The children, as well as their guardians, are present in the meeting.
Susan, as well as his sister, has a great intelligence.
Rimo , together with his friends, was present at the party.
Here the subject ‘Susan’ and ‘Rimo’ are singular so we used a singular form of verb and ‘the children’ is plural so we used plural form of verb.
