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.
Formulas / Key Facts
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Singular subject → singular verb | The child plays. |
| Plural subject → plural verb | The children play. |
| Subject + prepositional phrase → verb agrees with subject | The box of chocolates is here. |
| Subject1 and Subject2 → plural verb | Ram and Shyam are friends. |
| Each/Every + noun → singular verb | Every student has a book. |
| Either/Neither (alone) → singular verb | Neither is correct. |
| Either...or/Neither...nor → verb agrees with nearer subject | Either you or he is wrong. |
| Collective noun (as unit) → singular verb | The jury has given its verdict. |
| Uncountable nouns → singular verb | Information is power. |
| "Number of" → plural; "The number of" → singular | A number of people were present. The number of absentees is three. |
| None + singular noun → singular; None + plural noun → can be plural | None of the cake is left. None of the cakes are left. |
Worked Examples
Example 1: Choose the correct verb. The news about the elections (was/were) shocking.
Solution: "News" is an uncountable noun and always takes a singular verb. The phrase "about the elections" is a prepositional phrase that does not affect agreement. Answer: The news about the elections was shocking.
Example 2: Choose the correct verb. Neither the principal nor the teachers (was/were) informed.
Solution: With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "Teachers" (plural) is nearer to the verb. Answer: Neither the principal nor the teachers were informed.
Example 3: Choose the correct verb. Each of the students (has/have) submitted the assignment.
Solution: "Each" is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular. The prepositional phrase "of the students" does not change this. Answer: Each of the students has submitted the assignment.
Example 4: Fill in the blank. Bread and butter ______ (is/are) served for breakfast.
Solution: When two nouns joined by "and" refer to a single item or concept (here, a combined food item), the verb is singular. Answer: Bread and butter is served for breakfast.
Example 5: Identify the error. The team have won the match convincingly.
Solution: When the team acts as a single unit (winning together), use a singular verb. Correction: The team has won the match convincingly.
Common Mistakes
- Ignoring intervening phrases → Students wrongly match the verb with the nearest noun. Wrong: The bouquet of roses are beautiful. Correct thinking: Find the true subject ("bouquet"—singular) and use "is."
- Treating "each/every" as plural → Because these words refer to multiple items, students use plural verbs. Wrong: Each of the boys have arrived. Correct thinking: "Each" is always singular—use "has."
- Always using plural with "and" → Students forget exceptions where "and" joins a single concept. Wrong: Rice and curry are my favourite dish. Correct thinking: If it is one dish concept, use "is."
- Misapplying the either/or rule → Students use plural verb regardless of which subject is nearer. Wrong: Either the girls or the boy were late. Correct thinking: "Boy" (singular) is nearer—use "was."
- Confusing "a number of" with "the number of" → Wrong: The number of candidates are increasing. Correct thinking: "The number of" is singular—use "is." ("A number of" takes a plural verb.)
Quick Reference
- Subject, not neighbour: Verb agrees with the subject, not the nearest noun.
- Each, every, either, neither (alone): Always singular.
- Either/or, neither/nor: Verb matches the nearer subject.
- Collective noun: Singular when acting as one; plural when acting individually.
- "A number of" → plural verb; "The number of" → singular verb.
- Titles, sums of money, distances: Always singular verbs.