subject verb agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules, Examples, and Exercises

Subject verb agreement Meaning 

Subject-Verb Agreement is one of the most important grammar topics for students preparing for competitive exams and school tests (Class 8, 9, and 10). Understanding the correct relationship between a subject and its verb helps you write grammatically accurate sentences — a key requirement in SSC, Banking, and teaching eligibility exams.

Subject verb agreement worksheet provided below

What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?

In simple terms, Subject-Verb Agreement means that the verb must match the subject in number and person.

If the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Subject verb agreement examples 

She plays cricket every evening. (Singular subject → singular verb)

They play cricket every evening. (Plural subject → plural verb)

Understanding this basic rule will help you avoid many common grammatical errors found in English exams and daily communication.

Subject verb agreement worksheet with answers pdf 

Available below to download 

Subject-Verb Agreement rules

📘 Rule 1: Singular Subject Takes Singular Verb

When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular.

Usually, singular verbs end in –s or –es in the present tense.

Examples:

He plays football on Sundays.

The girl studies English grammar daily.

Explanation:

The subject “he” and “girl” are singular; therefore, the verbs “plays” and “studies” must be singular too.

📗 Rule 2: Plural Subject Takes Plural Verb

A plural subject needs a verb without “–s” at the end.

Plural subjects show more than one person or thing performing the action.

Examples:

They write stories for the school magazine.

The children play in the park.

Tip:

If the subject ends with –s, the verb generally does not end with “–s.”

📙 Rule 3: Two Subjects Joined by “And” Take a Plural Verb

When two subjects are connected by the word and, the verb must be plural because it refers to more than one person or thing.

Examples:

Ram and Sita are studying together.

My brother and I love watching movies.

Exception:

If the two subjects represent one single idea or thing, a singular verb is used.

Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.

Slow and steady wins the race.

📒 Rule 4: “Either...or” / “Neither...nor” — Verb Agrees With the Nearest Subject

When two subjects are joined by “either...or” or “neither...nor,” the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to it.

Examples:

Either the teacher or the students are going to attend the seminar.

Neither the students nor the teacher is available.

Explanation:

In the first sentence, the verb “are” agrees with “students” (plural).

In the second, “is” agrees with “teacher” (singular).

Subject verb agreement class 9

📔 Rule 5: Collective Nouns Usually Take Singular Verb

A collective noun (e.g., team, family, jury, committee) refers to a group considered as a single unit, so it usually takes a singular verb.

Subject verb agreement exercise with answers 

Below provided 

The team is winning the match.

The committee has decided the date for the meeting.

Exception:

If the members of the group act individually, use a plural verb.

The jury were divided in their opinions.

📕 Rule 6: Indefinite Pronouns Take Singular Verb

Pronouns like everyone, someone, anybody, each, every, nobody are always singular, so they take singular verbs.

Subject verb agreement Examples with answers 

Everyone loves music.

Each of the students has a notebook.

Somebody was waiting outside the door.

Subject verb agreement class 10

📚 Rule 7: Titles, Subjects, or Names That Appear Plural Take Singular Verb

Some words look plural but are treated as singular because they refer to one subject, title, or field of study.

Examples:

Mathematics is an interesting subject.

Economics is difficult to understand for many students.

The United Nations is working for global peace.

📖 Rule 8: Amount, Distance, and Time Are Treated as Singular

When an expression refers to a single amount of money, distance, or time, a singular verb is used.

Examples:

Ten kilometers is a long distance to walk.

Five hundred rupees is too much for a notebook.

Two hours is enough to complete this task.

Explanation:

Although the numbers are plural, the whole amount or distance acts as one unit, so the verb stays singular.

📔 Rule 9: “One of” + Plural Noun → Singular Verb

When the subject begins with “one of,” it refers to a single person or thing from a group. Hence, the verb must be singular.

Examples:

One of my friends is a doctor.

One of the players has been selected for the national team.

📘 Rule 10: “With,” “As well as,” “Along with,” “Together with” → Verb Follows Main Subject

If a phrase like “with,” “along with,” or “as well as” joins two subjects, the verb should match the first (main) subject, not the one that follows.

Examples:

The teacher, along with her students, is visiting the museum.

My brother, as well as his friends, has joined the gym.

Explanation:

The main subject (“teacher” and “brother”) is singular, so the verb must also be singular.

📗 Rule 11: Words Like “Each,” “Every,” “Either,” “Neither” Take Singular Verb

Even when two subjects are joined with “and,” if each or every is used before them, the verb remains singular.

Examples:

Each boy and each girl has a separate seat.

Every man and every woman was invited.

📙 Rule 12: Plural Names or Countries Take Singular Verb

Some countries, organizations, or book titles end with an “s” but are considered singular.

Examples:

The Netherlands is a small European country.

Gulliver’s Travels is a famous novel.

📒 Rule 13: Fractions and Percentages Depend on the Noun That Follows

When using fractions or percentages, the verb depends on whether the following noun is singular or plural.

Examples:

Fifty percent of the cake has been eaten. (Cake → singular)

Fifty percent of the students have passed the test. (Students → plural)

📖 Rule 14: Relative Pronouns (“Who,” “Which,” “That”) Agree With Their Antecedent

The verb following a relative pronoun must agree with the noun it refers to.

Examples:

She is one of the girls who dance well. (Who → refers to “girls” → plural verb)

She is the only one who dances well. (Who → refers to “one” → singular verb)

📚 Rule 15: Uncountable Nouns Always Take Singular Verb

Uncountable nouns like water, milk, sugar, furniture, advice, and information are singular in form.

Examples:

The information is accurate.

Milk is good for health.

🧩 Quick Recap Table

Rule No. Core Idea Example

1 Singular subject → singular verb He goes to school.

2 Plural subject → plural verb They play football.

3 Two subjects with “and” → plural verb Ram and Sita are happy.

4 Either/Neither → verb agrees with nearest subject Either Ram or his friends are going.

5 Collective noun → singular verb The team is strong.

6 Indefinite pronoun → singular verb Everyone likes music.

7 Plural-looking titles → singular verb Mathematics is easy.

8 Amount/time/distance → singular Ten kilometers is far.

9 One of + plural noun → singular verb One of the girls is late.

10 With/as well as → follow main subject The boy, with his friends, is coming.

🎯 Practice Questions

Subject–Verb Agreement questions

1️⃣ The group of dancers ___ performing tonight. (is / are)

→ ✅ is

2️⃣ Either of the two options ___ correct. (is / are)

→ ✅ is

3️⃣ The players, along with their coach, ___ excited. (is / are)

→ ✅ are

4️⃣ One of the students ___ won a prize. (has / have)

→ ✅ has

5️⃣ Mathematics ___ an interesting subject. (is / are)

→ ✅ is

Subject–Verb Agreement worksheet – 50 Fresh Practice Questions (With Answers)

(Try solving them first — answers are hidden at the end!)

🧩 Set 1: Basic Rules (Singular / Plural Forms)

1️⃣ The boy in the blue shirt ___ playing in the park. (is / are)

2️⃣ These mangoes ___ sweeter than the ones we bought yesterday. (is / are)

3️⃣ My mother ___ a great cook. (is / are)

4️⃣ The dogs outside ___ barking loudly at night. (is / are)

5️⃣ Every student in the class ___ given a notebook. (was / were)

🧩 Set 2: Compound Subjects (“And”, “As well as”, “Along with”)

6️⃣ Ramesh and his brother ___ planning a surprise for their parents. (is / are)

7️⃣ The teacher, as well as her assistants, ___ preparing the exam papers. (is / are)

8️⃣ Bread and butter ___ served on the table. (was / were)

9️⃣ My father and uncle ___ partners in the same business. (is / are)

🔟 The principal, along with the teachers, ___ attending the seminar. (is / are)

🧩 Set 3: Indefinite Pronouns (Everyone, Someone, Each, etc.)

11️⃣ Everyone in this hall ___ waiting for the announcement. (is / are)

12️⃣ Each of the participants ___ submitted their ID cards. (has / have)

13️⃣ Somebody ___ knocking at the door. (was / were)

14️⃣ Nobody ___ allowed to enter without permission. (is / are)

15️⃣ Either of the answers ___ correct. (is / are)

🧩 Set 4: Collective Nouns

16️⃣ The jury ___ divided in their opinion. (was / were)

17️⃣ The team ___ celebrating its victory. (is / are)

18️⃣ The audience ___ cheering loudly after the performance. (was / were)

19️⃣ The committee ___ made its final decision. (has / have)

20️⃣ The staff ___ planning a farewell for the manager. (is / are)

🧩 Set 5: “Either...or” / “Neither...nor”

21️⃣ Either the students or the teacher ___ responsible for the mess. (is / are)

22️⃣ Neither the captain nor the players ___ confident today. (is / are)

23️⃣ Either my parents or my cousin ___ coming to pick me up. (is / are)

24️⃣ Neither the chairs nor the table ___ been cleaned. (has / have)

25️⃣ Either the boy or the girls ___ made this craft project. (has / have)

🧩 Set 6: Amount, Distance, Time, and Money

26️⃣ Ten kilometers ___ a long distance to run daily. (is / are)

27️⃣ Fifty rupees ___ not enough for a cup of coffee here. (is / are)

28️⃣ Three years ___ passed since we last met. (has / have)

29️⃣ Ten liters of milk ___ required for the ceremony. (is / are)

30️⃣ A hundred miles ___ too far to travel tonight. (is / are)

🧩 Set 7: Words Ending With “s” But Singular in Meaning

31️⃣ Mathematics ___ an interesting subject. (is / are)

32️⃣ The news ___ quite shocking for the residents. (is / are)

33️⃣ Politics ___ a sensitive topic to discuss. (is / are)

34️⃣ Economics ___ not easy to understand for beginners. (is / are)

35️⃣ Measles ___ spreading in the nearby village. (is / are)

🧩 Set 8: Relative Pronouns (Who, Which, That)

36️⃣ She is one of the students who ___ always punctual. (is / are)

37️⃣ He is the only one who ___ completed the project on time. (has / have)

38️⃣ This is the kind of work that ___ creativity. (requires / require)

39️⃣ Those are the people who ___ helped us in need. (has / have)

40️⃣ She is among the few who ___ ready to volunteer. (is / are)

🧩 Set 9: Uncountable Nouns

41️⃣ The advice you gave me ___ really helpful. (was / were)

42️⃣ The information we received ___ accurate and verified. (is / are)

43️⃣ Furniture in this office ___ made of teak wood. (is / are)

44️⃣ Luggage in the truck ___ too heavy to lift. (is / are)

45️⃣ Water in the tank ___ cold during winter. (is / are)

🧩 Set 10: Mixed Grammar Context

46️⃣ One of my best friends ___ moving abroad next month. (is / are)

47️⃣ The quality of these grapes ___ excellent. (is / are)

48️⃣ Neither my shoes nor my jacket ___ fitting properly. (is / are)

49️⃣ A number of people ___ gathered outside the stadium. (has / have)

50️⃣ The number of participants ___ increasing every year. (is / are)

🔚 Conclusion

Mastering the rules of Subject-Verb Agreement is essential for scoring well in grammar and writing sections of competitive exams.

Focus on understanding the number (singular/plural) of the subject, identify special cases like “either...or” or “along with,” and practice daily using quizzes or worksheets.

Remember — correct subject-verb agreement makes your writing clear, natural, and grammatically accurate.