Agreement between subject and verbIt is natural that nouns in the singular agree with the

singular verb and nouns in the plural take a plural verb.e.g. She lives in China.

More people live in Asia than in any other continent.1. When the subject of the sentence is complex, the

following verb must agree with the main noun in the sentence.

e.g. The only excuse that he gave for his actions was that he was tired.2. We have difficulties with collective nouns:a) Some of them always have a singular form and take asingular verb: the aristocracy, the bourgeoisie, the peasantry, furniture,machinery, linen.

e.g. The aristocracy is proud of having blue blood.b) Other collective nouns also have the singular form, butagree with a plural verb (nouns of multitude). Here belong:the public, police, people, the gentry, the clergy, infantry, cattle, poultry.

e.g. The police have arrested a criminal.c) Still other collective nouns may have either the singularor the plural form. Here belong: family, crew, group, team,staff, company, party, band etc. When these nouns are usedin the plural, they agree with a plural verb.

e.g. All the families in our neighbourhood were alike.These nouns in the singular form may take either a singularor a plural verb.We use a singular verb if we see the institution ororganization as a whole unit, a collective body.

e.g. The team has won the game.Their family is very happy.

But if we see it as a collection of individuals (members arethought of individually) we use a plural verb.

e.g. The team are now resting.My family keep a close eye on me.

d) Some nouns are usually plural and take a plural verb.These include: belongings, clothes, goods, outskirts etc.

e.g. There were clothes scattered about the room.3. Some nouns always end in –s and look as if they areplural, but when we use them as the subject of a sentencethey have a singular verb. Here belong: news, means, some

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sports, some diseases, some academic disciplines (the latteragree with a plural verb when denote general use of ascience, but not the science itself).

e.g. Statistics was always my worst subject .Statistics are able to prove anything you want them to (= numerical

information).5. After per cent (also percent and %) we use a singular verb.

e.g. Around 10 per cent of the forest is destroyed each year.Note: In phrases where we can use of + plural noun we use aplural verb.

e.g. I would say that about 50 per cent of the houses need major repairs.But where we use a singular noun that can be thought ofeither as a whole unit or a collection of individuals, wecan use a singular or plural verb.

e.g. Some 80 per cent of the electorate is expected to vote (or “are expected).6. With e.g. two thirds of and a plural noun we use a pluralverb, with a singular noun we use a singular verb. e.g. Two thirds of the food was eaten immediately. e.g. Two thirds of the books were mine.7. With any of, either of, neither of, none of” and a plural noun, wecan use a singular or plural verb (However, we prefer asingular verb in careful written English).

e.g. I don’t think any of them knows (or know) where the money is hidden.Neither of the French athletics has (or have) won this year.

But with one of, each of, every one of and a plural noun, we use asingular verb. e.g. Each of the boys in the class has his own notebook.8. With a/the majority of, a number of, a lot of, a variety of, plenty of, all(of), some (of), a couple of, a group of, a percentage of and a plural nounwe use a plural verb.But if we say the number of, the variety of, the percentage of we use asingular verb.

e.g. A number of refugees have been turned back at the borderThe number of books in the library has risen to over 5 million.

9. With any of, none of, the majority of, a lot of, plenty of, all (of), some(of) and an uncountable noun, we use a singular verb.

e.g. All the furniture was destroyed in the fire.10. With each and every and a singular noun we use a singularverb.

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e.g. Every room has its own bathroomBut: The boys have each drawn a picture.11. With everyone, everybody, everything (and similar words beginningany-, some- and no-) we use a singular verb.

e.g. Practically everyone thinks that Judith should be given the job.12.When a subject has two or more items joined by and, weuse a plural verb:

e.g. Jean and David are moving back to Australia.However phrases connected by and can also be followed bysingular verbs if we think of them as making up a singleitem.

e.g. Meat pie and peas is Tom’s favourite at the moment (or meat pie andpeas are…)13. When a subject is made up of two or more items joinedby: either …. or or neither ….. nor, not only … but (also), we use asingular verb if the last item is singular (although aplural verb is sometimes used in informal English), and aplural verb if it is plural.

e.g. Either the station or the cinema is a good place to meet (are).Neither the President nor his representatives are to attend the meeting.

If the last item is singular and the previous item plural,we can use a singular or plural verb.

e.g. Either the teachers or the principal is (are) to blame for the accidents.14. When two subjects in the singular are connected by theconjunctions as well as, together with the predicate is in thesingular.

e.g. Activity, as well as cell structure, is an essential condition of life.If the subjects are of different person or number, thepredicate agrees with the subject that stands first.e.g. The Volga, as well as its affluents , is verypicturesque.15. If the subject is expressed by the word-group many a..,the predicate is in the singular.

e.g. The banks of the Avon are beautiful in these parts. Many an artist comesthere.16. With expressions of duration, distance or money meaning“a whole amount” we use a singular verb.

e.g. Two weeks isn’t long to wait. Ten miles is a long way to ride.

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Two thousand pounds is to much to spend on this house.17. When the predicate-verb precedes a number of subjects,it is often in the singular especially if the sentencebegins with here or there.

e.g. And here was a man, was experience and cultureIf the subjects are of different. number, the predicateagrees with the subject that stands first.e.g. There was much traffic at night and many mules on the roads.18. If the subject is expressed by an interrogative pronoun(who, what), the predicate is usually in the singular.

e.g. Who is to apply to her for permission?If the question refers to more than one person, thepredicate may be used in the plural.

e.g. Who are his parents?19. Plural names of countries and organizations have asingular verb.

e.g. The USA is smaller than Canada.20. Compound nouns joined by more than one and a singular nounhave a singular verb.

e.g. More than one person disagrees.21. After one of and a plural noun we use a singular verb

e.g. One of your children has lost a shoe.When it is followed by a relative clause we use a pluralverb.

e.g. She is one of the women who have climbed Everest. One of the things that really make me angry is people who don’t answer

letters.( In informal English singular verb is possible). 22. A subject whose main word is an –ing or to-form requires asingular verb.

e.g. Writing good letters takes a long time.

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Ex 1 Choose between a singular or a plural verb to use it in the followingsentences.1.The trousers you bought for me do/does not fit me. 2.Physics was/were my favourite subject at school.3.Fortunately, the news was/ were not as bad as we had

expected.4.The police want/wants to interview Fred called about

robbery.5.Arsenal has/have lost all their football matches this

season.6.Can I borrow your scissors? Mine is /are not sharp enough.7.The contents of the house was/were sold after they had

moved to another city.8.The military authorities has/have established their

headquarters in the old Town Hall.9.The stairs is/are a bit dangerous. Be careful.10. The lingerie she bought yesterday is/are very expensive.11. Do you think Liverpool is/are the best team in Europe.12. The proceeds of the concert is/are going to the

children’s fund.13. Her hair is/are long and jet black.14. The cattle is/are grazing in the field.15. The US is/are anxious to improve its image.16. Fur trimmings is/are in vogue now.17. Good manners is/are declining.

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18. The earnings of working women is/are getting higher allthe time.

19. Teeth is/are covered with hard substance called enamel.20. The goods has/have arrived.21. The fly is an insect that lives/live in peoples homes.22. Poetry is/are recognized as one of the most complex

means of artistic expression.23. The oranges in the bowl on the counter is/are from

California.24. Politics is/are a very complicated business.25. What is/are your politics?26. Statistics is/are useful in language testing.27. The unemployment statistics is/are disturbing.28. The commission on the sales he makes is/are 20%.29. Footwear is/are very costly nowadays.30. Glassware is/are to the left behind the ribbon counter.

Ex 2 Underline the singular or plural verb that is required by the subject.1.There is/are a lot of television programs suitable for

children.2.Each student is/are required to take out health insurance.3.There is/are a long list of jobs to be done before we

leave.4.The information in these reports is/are not correct.5.The news about the patient’s recovery has/have been very

good these days.6.The star of the show acts/act very well, and so does/do

all the other members of the cast.7.Their scissors was/were not strong enough to cut the

wire.8.The ship’s passengers, as well as the entire crew,

was/were rescued.9.Here is/are the news stories you asked for.10. The furniture which was/were ordered a few months ago

is/are being delivered now.11. A program of two very famous films is/are being shown

tonight.12. There has/have been some sings of improvement in his

work.6

13. Many a man has/have wanted to escape from poverty.14. The basic knowledge of English and mathematics has/have

been declining for a decade.15. The use of symbols in many parts of the story plays/play

a significant role in bringing out the main theme.16. There is/are a lot of problems that needs/need to be

discussed.17. Some of the fruit was/were spoilt.18. A number of the people in this city lives/live in

poverty.19. Playing with matches is/are very dangerous.20. Everybody is/are coming to see the play.21. Advertising in this newspaper costs/cost a lot of money.22. To make mistakes is/are only human.23. This year’s deficit, together with those of previous

years, has/have caused the company to go bankrupt.24. Each of the machines is/are carefully inspected before

being put into operation.25. His valuable computer, as well as his important files,

was/were saved from the fire.26. On the wall there was/were several posters.27. Most of the new equipment has/have already been

installed in the factory.28. Equality between men and women was/were often not taken

for granted in the past.29. In my country every house has/have a big stone fence.30. Today’s divorce rate is higher than ever because the

number of working mothers is/are increasing.31. His baggage has/have been sent to Greece by mistake.32. More than one person is/are going to complain.33. Neither she nor her husband has/have arrived.34. ‘War And Peace’ is/are the longest book he has ever

read.35. The United States is/are a highly-developed country.36. This gin and tonic isn’t/aren’t very strong.37. Ten times five is/are fifty.38. Half of the pupils don’t/doesn’t have sets of books.39. The government is/are elected by a simple majority.40.The majority of people is/are against this law.

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41.I’m going to take a taxi. Six miles is/are too far for meto walk.42.Three days is/are not long enough for a good holiday.43.Two kilos is/are pretty small for a newborn baby.44.We only use three rooms. The rest of the house is/areempty.45. A lot of social problems is/are caused by unemployment.

Ex. 3 Use the correct form of the verb in the following sentences.1. His advice (to be) always useful to me.2. We were at the head of the valley and below us we saw anold house. “This is where my family (to live),” he said.3. Con’s family (to be) in the process of having tea when wearrived.4. All the family (to be) gathered to see the dog.5. My family who (to be) occupied each with their particularguest did not notice anything.6. Monty’s family (to be) of about the same social status as myown.7. When the family (to be) alone she often read to them beforegoing to bed.8. Do you know what the family (to get) into their heads aboutthis business?9. The police (to know) about him for years.10. Everybody says the Swiss police (to be) great at findingpeople.11. The police (to be) not fools. That man did not believe aword of what I said.12. The police (to call) and a sergeant and a constable arrived.13. The public (not to think) so.14. The public (to request) not to leave litter in these woods.15. As Alan appeared, the crew had quit their loading and (tobe) assembled along the rail.16. There (to be) two fish in his basket.17. That evening the net was so heavy that he could hardlydraw in into the boat. “Surely I have caught all the fishthat (to swim),” he said to himself and laughed.18. When he came the baseball team (to practice) on the schoolfield.

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19. The team (to have) baths at the moment and then (to come)back here for tea.20. The team (to play) tomorrow morning.21. The summons (to be) already overdue.22. My trousers now (to clean).23. Do you know what the news (to be)?24. The ashes (to be) still hot.25. The job is unpaid, but a number of persons (to be) willingto undertake it.26. There (to be) important information in the letter.27. The clergy (to be) generally dressed in black.28. The Government (to discuss) the matter for a long time butthey have shown no signs of reaching agreement.29. The Government (to decide) already to pass the bill.30. He was reserved concerning himself but a fluent talkerwhen politics (to be) under discussion.31. Politics always (to interest) me.32. Ethics (to be) a difficult study.33. The company (to find) shelter from the rain in the villageinn. They are going to have lunch there.34. In the meantime the young couple (to be) to live in the oldhouse.35. That day the committee (to be) to meet at her friend’shouse.36. I had to find out whether the committee (to be) competentenough to consider the project.37. The committee (to be) of the opinion that the mattershould be dealt with at once.38. Close by, a group of men (to sit). They kept the waiter busywith their orders.39. A group of students (to go) on a tour to Slovakia insummer.40. The board (to be) extraordinarily kind to you.41. The board (to be) going to consider your application at thenext sitting.42. There (to be) a few little craft anchored in the harbour.43. The staff (to be) all gathered in the main office when Icame.

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44. His staff (to be) very small. I don’t know how he managedto do any business at all.45. You’ve bought yourself a nice car. Your money (to be) wellspent.

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