Infographics: Subject Verb Concord | English Grammar Advanced - Class 10 PDF Download

 Page 1


Do not let a phrase between the subject and the verb trick you.
The subject is what the verb agrees with, not a noun or pronoun
in the phrase. 
for example:
One of the gifts is open.
The subject of the sentence is "one" and the verb is "is."
Subject-Verb Agreement
Basic Rule
The verb must agree with the subject in number and in person.
a.) If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular as well.
b.) If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. 
for example:
a.) The boy plays basketball.
The subject of the sentence is "boy" and the verb is "plays." Both
agree in number.
b.) The boys play basketball.
The subject of the sentence is "boys" and the verb is "play."
Rule No. 01
Rule No. 02
If one subject is singular and the other is plural and they are
connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not
only/but also, use the subject that is closest to the verb.
for example:
Either the leader or the members agree. 
Since "members" is the closest subject to the verb "agree," the
verb follows the subject "members."
Rule No. 03
If a sentence starts with "there" or "here," the subject will always
come after the verb.
for example:
There are children outside.
The subject of the sentence is "children" and the verb is "are." 
Page 2


Do not let a phrase between the subject and the verb trick you.
The subject is what the verb agrees with, not a noun or pronoun
in the phrase. 
for example:
One of the gifts is open.
The subject of the sentence is "one" and the verb is "is."
Subject-Verb Agreement
Basic Rule
The verb must agree with the subject in number and in person.
a.) If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular as well.
b.) If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. 
for example:
a.) The boy plays basketball.
The subject of the sentence is "boy" and the verb is "plays." Both
agree in number.
b.) The boys play basketball.
The subject of the sentence is "boys" and the verb is "play."
Rule No. 01
Rule No. 02
If one subject is singular and the other is plural and they are
connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not
only/but also, use the subject that is closest to the verb.
for example:
Either the leader or the members agree. 
Since "members" is the closest subject to the verb "agree," the
verb follows the subject "members."
Rule No. 03
If a sentence starts with "there" or "here," the subject will always
come after the verb.
for example:
There are children outside.
The subject of the sentence is "children" and the verb is "are." 
Subject-Verb Agreement
Rule No. 04
The indefinite pronouns "each," "each one," "either," "neither,"
"everyone," "everybody," "anyone," "anyone," "nobody,"
"somebody," "someone," and "no one" are all singular and need a
singular verb.
for example:
Everyone in the room supports her.
The subject of the sentence is "everyone" and the verb is
"supports." Both agree in number.
Rule No. 06
Nouns like "economics," "politics," "measles," "mathematics,"
"dollars," and "news" need singular verbs.
for example:
Mathematics is a hard subject for many.
The subject of the sentence is "mathematics" and the verb is "is."
Both agree in number.
Rule No. 07
When a noun is plural, like scissors, glasses, tweezers, shorts,
trousers, shears, or binoculars, the verb must also be plural.
for example:
The trousers fit an average teenager.
Because they come in pairs, these nouns are considered to be
plural.
Basic Rule
The verb must agree with the subject in number and in person.
a.) If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular as well.
b.) If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. 
for example:
a.) The boy plays basketball.
The subject of the sentence is "boy" and the verb is "plays." Both
agree in number.
b.) The boys play basketball.
The subject of the sentence is "boys" and the verb is "play."