Singular Subject Singular Verb


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Singular Subject Singular Verb

Subject Verb Agreement: In subject verb agreement, the verb always agrees with its subject in number (singular and plural) and in person. Thus, if a subject is singular, its verb must also be singular; if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural.

Singular Subject Singular Verb:  If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. There are some special cases:

A) When two nouns suggest the same idea or refer to the same person or thing, we use singular verb.

  • The owner and manager of the store are very friendly. (Incorrect)
  • The owner and manager of the store is very friendly.  (Correct)
  • B) If the singular subject is preceded by each and every, the verb is generally singular.

  • Every man and every woman has the right to express oneself.
  • Each boy and girl has to attend the function.
  • C) For collective nouns we use singular verb, like "family," "class," "pack," "bouquet," "pair," and "flock"

  • The committee has accepted your resignation.
  • D) Some nouns are plural (ending with -s) such as news, thesis, hypothesis, crisis, analysis, politics, physics, mathematics, economics, ethics, athletics, etc but singular in meaning singular verb is used.

  • The crisis happened last week was solved.
  • Physics is a good subject.
  • E) Uncoutable nouns are treated as singular. Uncountable in nature like furniture, luggage, information, advice, work, knowledge, equipment, behaviour, scenery, traffic, fruit, electricity, music, progress, weather, nonsense, sense, etc, can't be pluralized by adding 's'. Uncountable noun take singular verbs. e.g.

  • Work is worship. 
  • Knowledge is power.
  • F) Usually, singular verb is used in sentences showing arithmetical calculation. Also, note the following views of Norman Lewis. e.g.

  • Four and four is eight. 
  • Four and four are eight.
  • Exceptional Case:  Some nouns appear singular but are plural in meaning they take plural verbs. Such commonly used nouns are dozen. Some nouns appear singular but are plural in meaning: hundred, million, cattle, people, score, thousand, gentry, police, peasantry, company, alphabet, progeny, offspring,clergy, infantry, etc. e.g.

  • The cattle are grazing in the field.
  • A score were saved by him.
  • Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    Fill in the blank with suitable verb.

    Something ___________ wrong with my car. It just refused to start.

    Right Option : B
    View Explanation
    Explanation
    Question : 2

    Fill inthe blank with suitable verb.

    She is one of the students who always ___________ correctly.

    Right Option : C
    View Explanation
    Explanation
    Question : 3

    Fill in the blank with suitable verb.

    ______ my boss or my sisters in the union going to win this grievance?

    Right Option : A
    View Explanation
    Explanation
     
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