Subject-Verb Agreement short and common rules for Admission Exam

Example: Errata ______ clear to all.

                a) is b) are
Note: Sub(Singular) = Verb(Singular)
            Sub(Plural) = Verb(Plural)
Explanation: Errata, Media, Phenomena, etc. are Plural



An agreement between Subject and Verb is called the Subject-Verb Agreement.
Test:
A pen _ _ _ _ _ colorful.
a) is b) are
The pens _ _ _ _ _ colorful. 
a) is b) are

 

 

 

 

Category 1: Sub(Sing) = Verb(Sing)

Rule 1: Sub(Sing) = Verb(Sing)

*Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Cultural Studies, etc.

*Gullivers’s Travels, Arabian Nights, etc.

*Mars, United States of America, etc.

 

Test:

1.     Cultural Studies _ _ _ _ _ a new meaning of culture.

a)    give b) gives (singular)

 

2.     Gullivers’s Travels ____is/are___ very popular.

 

 

Rule 2: Sub with “and” indicating one meaning

Test:

Bread and butter ______ necessart to lead a smooth life.

a)is    b)are

Exception: Bread and butter __is/are____ my favorite breakfast.

 

Test:

He and his friends ___is/are___ happy.

 

Rule 3: Gerund/ Infinitive/ Clause/ Phrase = Verb(Sing)

Test:

Buying(Gerund) clothes _____ often a very time-consuming practice.

a)is    b)are

 

To tell lies __is/are__ great sin.

Infinitive

 

Test:

What you say ______ true. [Clause: Sub + v + ext +v(sing)---]

a)is b) are c) have d) none

 

 

 

Rule 4: Number + Taka, dollars, kg, gallons = Verb(Sing)

 

Test: Fifty thousand dollars __is/are____ a big amount.

 

 

 

Rule 5: Each of/ One of/ Either of + Noun(Plu) = verb(sing)

 

Test: One of my friends ___is/are____ a student.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category 2: Sub(plu) = verb(plu)

 

 

Rule 1:

 

Foreign noun[Plural] (Memoranda, Errata, Media, Phenomena) = Verb(Plural)

 

Test: The memoranda __is/are___ not important.

 

 

 

Rule 2: The + Adjective = Verb(plu)

               (Plural Common Noun)

 

Test: The cautious _______is/are_________  not always cowards.

               [ous-Adjective]

 

More: The rich/ The poor/barve ______is/are_______

 

 

 

 

 

Category 3: Sub = verb(sing/plu.)

 

Rule 1:

 

The(2) + Noun(2) = verb(plural)

The(1) + Noun(2) = verb(sing.)

 

 

Test:

1.     The poet and novelist ____is/are___ dead.

2.     The poet and the novelist ___is/are___ dead.

 

 

Rule 2: Subject with “preposition” = verb sing/plural.  Finding the 1^st word(head word)

 

Test:

1. Ruma(head-word) as well as Jhuma ____is/are_____ happy.

2. The problem(head-word) of you ____is/are____not easy enough.

3. The problems(head-word) of you _____is/are____not easy enough.

 

  

Rule 3: Either_____or, Neither____nor, Not only___but also = verb sing/plu. Finding the or/nor/but also word

 

 

Test: 1. Neither Jane nor her brothers  ____need(plu)/needs______ a consent.

2. Not only he but also his friends ___is/are_____ busy.

 

 

Test: Choose the correct answer:

a)    Not only he but also his friends are busy. =  Right

b)    Not only his friends but also he is busy.   = Wrong

 

Note: Either …..or , Neither….nor, Not only ….but also = 1^st sub(sing)…… 2^nd sub(plu)

Rule 4: Many

Many + a +noun(sing) = verb(sing)

Many + noun(plu) = verb(plu)

Test: 1. Many a flower ----is/are--- born to blush unseen.

2. Many flowers ----is/are----born to blush unseen.

 

Rule 5:Fraction

Fraction -------of+ noun(sing/uncountable) = verb(sing)

Fraction --------of+ noun(plu.) = verb(plu)

Test: 1. One third of the students ----is/are-----present.

          2. Two thirds of the road ---has been(sing)/have been-----repaired.

Credit Goes To: Rafik Sir(English Moja)