Subject-Verb Concord

Overview

Subject-verb concord (also called subject-verb agreement) is a fundamental grammar rule that states the verb must agree with its subject in number and person. When the subject is singular, the verb takes a singular form; when the subject is plural, the verb takes a plural form. This seemingly simple rule has numerous exceptions and special cases that make it a favourite testing ground in competitive exams.

For WB TET Language II (English), subject-verb concord questions appear regularly in the grammar section. They test whether candidates can identify the true subject of a sentence—especially when phrases, clauses or inverted structures obscure it. Mastery of concord rules demonstrates grammatical competence essential for teaching English at the primary and upper-primary levels.

The key challenge is not the basic rule but its application in complex sentences where intervening words, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns or compound subjects create confusion about which verb form to use.

Key Concepts

• **Basic Rule**: A singular subject takes a singular verb (adds -s/-es in present tense); a plural subject takes a plural verb (no -s/-es). Example: The boy *runs*. The boys *run*.

• **Proximity Trap**: The verb agrees with the subject, not with nouns closer to it. Phrases between subject and verb do not change agreement. Example: The quality *of the mangoes* **is** good (not "are").

• **Compound Subjects with "and"**: Two subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb. Exception: When they refer to one person/thing or form a single idea, they take a singular verb. Example: Bread and butter **is** my breakfast.

• **Either/Or, Neither/Nor Rule**: The verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. Example: Neither the teacher nor the students **were** present. Neither the students nor the teacher **was** present.

• **Collective Nouns**: Take singular verb when acting as a unit, plural verb when members act individually. Example: The committee **has** decided (unit). The committee **have** disagreed among themselves (individuals).

• **Indefinite Pronouns**: Words like *everyone, someone, anybody, each, either, neither* are singular. Words like *many, few, both, several* are plural. Words like *some, all, most, none* depend on context.

• **"There" and "Here" Sentences**: In inverted sentences beginning with "there" or "here," the verb agrees with the real subject that follows. Example: There **are** many problems. Here **comes** the bus.

• **Titles, Amounts and Distances**: Take singular verbs even if they look plural. Example: "The Arabian Nights" **is** a famous book. Five kilometres **is** a long distance.