Subject–verb agreement

Rules

1. A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.
2. Words like each, every, either, neither, everyone take a singular verb.
3. With 'either…or' and 'neither…nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
4. Phrases like 'along with', 'as well as', 'with' do not change the number of the subject.
5. 'The number of' takes a singular verb; 'a number of' takes a plural verb.

Examples

• Each of the boys has a book.
• Neither the teacher nor the students were present.
• The number of students is rising.

Practice MCQs

1. She ___ to school by bus.

   1. go
   2. goes
   3. going
   4. gone
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) goes. Third person singular in simple present takes -s/-es.

2. Each of the players ___ a medal.

   1. get
   2. gets
   3. are getting
   4. have got
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) gets. 'Each' is singular.

3. The teacher, along with his students, ___ gone on a trip.

   1. have
   2. has
   3. are
   4. were
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) has. 'Along with' does not change the subject 'teacher' (singular).

4. Neither the manager nor the clerks ___ present.

   1. was
   2. is
   3. were
   4. has been
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) were. The verb agrees with the nearer subject 'clerks' (plural).

5. A number of students ___ absent today.

   1. is
   2. was
   3. are
   4. has been
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) are. 'A number of' means many, so plural.

6. The number of accidents ___ increased.

   1. have
   2. has
   3. are
   4. were
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) has. 'The number of' is singular.

7. Bread and butter ___ my favourite breakfast.

   1. is
   2. are
   3. were
   4. have been
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) is. Two nouns naming one idea take a singular verb.