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. He seems to forget that there _____ things to be done before he can graduate.
A. Is	B. Are	C. Were	D. Was
Right Option : C
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Question : 2

Fill in the blank with suitable verb. Later that evening our luggage ____ at last found and returned to us.
A. Was	B. Were	C. Has	D. Have been
Right Option : A
View Explanation