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Subject – Verb Agreement

Rules + Flow Chart + Examples

1. Singular Subject

Rule
  • Singular subject → Singular verb
  • Verb ends with s / es
✔ He plays cricket.
✔ She writes a letter.

2. Plural Subject

Rule
  • Plural subject → Plural verb
  • No s / es in verb
✔ They play cricket.
✔ We write letters.

3. And (Two Subjects)

Rule
  • Two subjects joined by and
  • Use plural verb
✔ Ram and Shyam are friends.
✔ Tea and coffee are ready.

4. Or / Nor

Rule
  • Verb follows nearest subject
✔ You or he is coming.
✔ He or they are coming.

5. Each / Every / Everyone

Rule
  • Always singular
✔ Everyone likes tea.
✔ Each student is ready.

6. Collective Noun

Rule
  • As one unit → Singular
  • As individuals → Plural
✔ The team is winning.
✔ The team are arguing.

7. Amount / Distance / Time

Rule
  • Treated as singular
✔ Five years is enough.
✔ Ten kilometers is far.

8. Either / Neither

Rule
  • Always singular
✔ Neither answer is correct.
✔ Either boy is guilty.

9. A Number / The Number

Rule
  • A number → Plural
  • The number → Singular
✔ A number of students are present.
✔ The number of students is high.

10. Relative Pronoun

Rule
  • Verb follows antecedent
✔ He is one of the boys who work hard.
✔ She is the only girl who studies.

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