10 Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement Part 2

Following rules should be followed by subject-verb agreement:

Rule 1.

If “each” is used after subject the verb will be plural.

Example:

• They each has done their homework. (incorrect) 
• They each have done their homework. (correct) 
• We each has seen Padmavati. (incorrect) 
• We each have seen Padmavati. (correct) 

Rule 2. 

If “each” is used before subject the verb used will be singular.

Example:

• Each of the students have done homework. (incorrect) 
• Each of the students has done homework.( correct) 
• Each of them are honest. (incorrect) 
• Each of them is honest. (correct) 

Rule 3. 

The verb used will be according to the nearest subject in the following:
Not only – but also, neither – nor, either – or, none – but etc….

Example:

• Neither the students nor their teacher were present in the class. (incorrect) 
• Neither the students nor their teacher was present in the class. (correct) 
• None but the judges of the supreme-court is responsible for controversy. (incorrect) 
• None but the judges of the supreme-court are responsible for controversy. (correct) 
• One or two pens is needed. (incorrect) 
• One or two pens are needed. (correct) 

Rule 4. 

If plural nouns explains particular amount, sum, distance, quantity, time, period as a
Whole the verb used will be singular.

Example:

• Four hundred rupees are small amount now a day. (incorrect) 
• Four hundred rupees is small amount now a day. (correct) 
• One thousand rupees were lost. (correct) 
• Five kilometres are a small distance. (incorrect) 
• Five kilometres is small distance. (correct) 

Rule 5. 

Following words are followed by the singular verb :
Many a, many an, more than one etc….

Example:

• Many an launches have taken place in ISRO. (Incorrect) 
• Many an launch has taken place in ISRO. (correct) 
• Many launches have taken place in ISRO. (Correct) 
• Many an accidents have taken place in Delhi. (incorrect) 
• Many an accident has taken place in Delhi. (correct) 

Rule 6. 

In the following collective noun, when they express unit or group a singular verb is used:
A set of books, a pair spectacles, a gang of robbers, a series of events, a bouquet of flowers etc

Example:

• A pair of shoes were bought. (incorrect) 
• A pair of shoes was bought. (correct) 
• A series of test matches are likely to take place in july. (incorrect) 
• A series of test matches is likely to take place in july. (correct) 

Rule 7. 

If the word “to be” is used with the unfulfilled desire, wish or condition the helping verb “were” is used.

Example:

Wish 

• I wish I was prime minister of India. (incorrect) 
• I wish I were prime minister of India. (correct) 

Condition

• If I was cricketer I would have broken all the records made by virat kohli. (incorrect) 
• If I were cricketer I would have broken all the records made virat kohli. (correct) 
• If was you I would have stood first in class. (incorrect) 
• If were you I would have stood first in class.(correct) 

Rule 8. 

If a proposition is succeeded and preceded by a noun, the noun used will singular followed

singular verb.

Example:

• Bullets after bullets has fired on terrorist. (incorrect) 
• bullet after bullet has fired on terrorist. (correct) 
• Days after days has passed. (incorrect) 
• Days after days have passed. (incorrect) 
• Day after day has passed. (correct) 

Rule 9. 

Following nouns are plural and verb used will plural:
Goggles, Glasses, scissors, Pants, trousers etc.

Example:

• Ram’s glasses is new. (incorrect) 
• Ram’s glasses are new.(correct) 

Rule 10. 

If the following nouns are followed a pair of / only a pair of the verb used will be singular:
Goggles, Glasses, scissors, Pants, trousers etc.

Example:

• A pair of goggles were lost.(incorrect) 
• A pair of goggles was lost .(correct) 
• A pair of pants are needed. (incorrect) 
• A pair of pants is needed. (correct)