Agreement (Grammar)

 English Grammar

Agreement

Subject and verb should be matched. A verb must agree with its subject.

 

Rules of agreement

 

1.           Singular subject takes singular verb.

Mohan ate rice, didn’t he?

Sunita plays skipping, doesn’t she?

 

2.           Plural subject takes plural verb.

He had to do that work, didn’t he?

Sunita has her breakfast, doesn’t she?

I have to go now, don’t I?

 

3.           If two or more subjects are joined by 'and' often takes plural form of verb.

The poet and the editor have come.

He and I were playing badminton.

But, if they suggest one idea the verb must be singular

               Slow and steady wins the race.

               The poet and editor has come.

 

4.           If two or more subjects are joined by as well as, with, together with, in addition to, including, accompanied by, along with etc., the verb should be used according to the preceding one.

My father as well as my brothers is working in the field.

He as well as I is busy.

5.           Some nouns such as news, mathematics, physics, politics, linguistics, statistics, economics, wages etc. look like plural in form but they are singular in meaning so singular verb should be used.

Today's news is interesting.

Mathematics is my favourite subject.

 

6.           Two or more nouns preceded by each or every take singular verb.

There is a dog, isn’t there?

One should be honest, shouldn't one?

 

7.           If 'Each of/ Either of/ either of/Many a' are in the place of subject, singular verb should be used.

Each of the girls was here on time yesterday.

Many a man doesn’t know about his future.

 

8.           If two or more nouns/pronouns are joined by Either…or, Neither….nor, the verb should be used according to the nearest noun or pronoun.

Neither he nor I am lazy.

Either a boy or a girl is good at arithmetic.

 

9.           Some/ All/ Most/ A lot (of) + plural noun takes plural verb and uncountable noun takes singular verb.

Some of the boys of our school are very good at sports.

All of the water in the jar is dirty.

 

10.       Reflexive pronoun should be used according to the subject.

Ramesh did the work himself.

I write it myself.

 

11.       Someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, none etc. takes singular verb.

Someone is knocking at the door.

Nobody helps her.

 

12.       The+adjective takes plural verb.

The rich are happy.

The blind are unfortunate to see.

 

13.       If 'There' is used as subject, verb should be used according to the noun used after verb.

There is a boy at the door.

There are two goats in the garden.

For TENSE CLICK HERE.

For TRANSFORMATION CLICK HERE.

For EXERCISE CLICK HERE. 

Video for testing the competency of students (agreement)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmsy0qfQV2I&t=454s