Subject verb agreement has many rules. Singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. Two subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb, unless they refer to the same thing. Subjects beginning with each, every, no one, etc. take singular verbs, while subjects beginning with some, many, few, both, etc. take plural verbs. The verb agrees with the closer subject in "either/or" constructions. Single gerunds and collective nouns usually take singular verbs.

1. Subject Verb Agreement

2. Basic Rule
• Singular subject takes a singular verb.
&
• Plural subjects take a plural verb.
A man is sitting there.
Two men are sitting there.

3. Rule 1
• Two subjects joined by ‘and’ take a plural verb.
Rahim and Karim _______ playing football.
(is/are)

4. Rule 1 (Exception)
• If two subjects joined by ‘and’ denote to the
same meaning/subject the verb is singular.
The horse and carriage __is___ ready at the
door.
Time and tide __waits___ for none.

5. Difference?
• The novelist and the poet are present.
• The novelist and poet is present.

6. Rule 2
• If each/every/no one/one/ anyone/someone
etc. are in the subject the verb is always
singular.
Each boy and each girl is given a ticket.
Nobody loves a liar.

7. Rule 3
• If some/many/few/both/several/all etc. are in
the subject the verb is always plural.
All of my friends are coming.
Few students are tired.

8. Rule 4
• Either … or…
• Neither … nor…
• Not only… but also…
• ….or…
• …nor…
• They always take two
subjects.
• The verb follows the
subject sitting nearer to
it.

9. Rule 4 (Example)
• Neither Rahim nor his brothers are present here.
• Neither Rahim nor his brother is present here.
• Neither Rahim’s brothers nor Rahim himself is
present here.
• Neither Rahim’s brother nor Rahim himself is
present here.

10. Rule 5
• Single ‘Gerund’ takes a single verb.
Watching cartoon is a fun.
Rising early is good for health.
Reading newspaper is good for general knowledge.

11. Rule 5 (Quiz)
Swimming and running _______ good for
health. (is/are)

12. Rule 6
• A collective noun takes a singular verb.
• Rahim Man Army
• Mohesh Cow Herd
• Mr. Rahim Man Jury

13. Rule 6 (Example)
The team is working on the field.
This class is very attentive.

14. Rule 6 (Exception)
The jury has given its verdict.
The jury are divided among their opinion.

15. Rule 7
• Name of a single poem/book/film/novel/song
etc. takes a single verb.
3 Idiots is my favorite film.
Romeo and Juliet is a good drama.

16. Rule 8
• The singular verb form is usually used for units
of measurement or time.
Four quarts of oil was required to get the car
running.

17. Rule 9
• A mistake: Don’t get confused about the
subject.
The quality of the mangoes is not good.
The women who went to the market are very
happy.

18. Rule 10
• For following kinds of sentences the object of
preposition decides the verb forms.
Half of the mangoes are rotten.
Half of the mango is here on the plate.

19. Rule 11
• For introductory ‘There’ the subject is
available right after the verb.
There is a book on the desk.
There are two books on the desk.