A. SUBJECT – VERB AGREEMENT
1 . Two or more Singular Subjects connected by ‘and’ usually require a plural verb.
For example-:
Incorrect- Hari and Ram is here.
Correct- Hari and Ram are here.
• He and I were playing.
• Fire and water do not agree.
• knowledge and wisdom have of times no connection.
• Gold and silver are precious metals.
2. If two Singular Nouns refer to the same person or thing, the Verb must be
Singular.
For example-:
Incorrect- The Secretary and Principal are coming.
Correct- The Secretary and Principal is coming.
(Here the same person is .Secretary as well as Principal)
• Time and tide waits for no man.
• Bread and Butter is his only food.
• honour and glory is his reward.
• the novelist and poet is dead.
3. If the Singular Subjects are preceded by each or every,one of the, neither,either, everyone the Verb is usually Singular.
For example-:
Incorrect- Every boy and girl were ready.
Correct- Every boy and girl was ready.
• One of the students is absent.
• Neither of the two questions is easy.
•Everyone asks me this question.
4. If two nouns are joined by or, either ….. or, neither… nor,not only….but also the verb agree with the nearer noun phrase.
For example-:
Incorrect- Neither he nor I were there.
Correct- Neither he nor I was there.
• Either you or he has to leave the place.
• Neither the Headmaster nor the Assistant Masters were present.
• Neither the chairman nor the directors are present.
5. When the Subjects joined by or, nor are of different persons, the Verb
agrees in person with the one nearest to it.
For example,
Incorrect- Either he or I is mistaken.
Correct- Either he or I am mistaken.
• Either you or he is mistaken.
• Neither my friend nor I am to blame.
¶ If both elements are singular, then the verb is singular too.
Either the father or the mother has to attend the meeting. (The nouns ‘father’ and ‘mother’ are singular; so the verb ‘has’ is singular too)
Neither Leila nor Nancy is going to write the report. (‘Leila’ and ‘Nancy’ are singular; so the verb ‘ is’ is singular too)
¶ However, if one of the elements is plural, then use a plural verb.
Either Sue or the girls are going to prepare dinner tonight. (The noun ‘girls’ is plural; so the verb ‘are’ is plural too)
Neither the teacher nor the students were in the classroom this morning. (The noun ‘students’ is plural; so the verb ‘were’ is plural too)
6.Either,neither,everyone,each, many a, most be followed by singular verb.
• Neither of two men was very strong.
• Each of these substances is found in India.
• Many a man has done so.
• Many a man doesn’t know his own good deeds.
• Everyone of the prisons is full.
• Everyone of the boys loves to ride.
7. Some Nouns which are plural in form but singular in meaning, take a singular
Verb.
For example-:
• Mathematics is a branch of study in every school.
• The news is true.
• No information is available now.
8. Some Nouns which are singular in form but plural in meaning, take a Plural
Verb.
For example-:
• According to the present market rate twelve dozen cost hundred rupees.
9. The verb in the relative clause should agree with its antecedent in number and person.
For example-:
Incorrect- I, who is your friend, . will guard you,r interests.
Correct- I, who am your friend will guard your interests.
• You, who are my friend, should stand by me.
10. If the subject is a clause, the verb is singular.
For example-:
• What they do these days, doesn’t concern me.
11. If two nouns are joined by with, as well as, in addition to, together with/along with etc. The verb agrees with the first subject.
For example-:
• The man together with his children was questioned.
• Harish as well as his brothers was responsible for the loss.
12. If two nouns are joined by not only …..but also, or, neither nor, either or the verb agrees with nearer noun phrase.
For example-:
• Not only Ram but also his brothers are
equally responsible.
• Either you or he has to leave the place.
13. When an adjective is used as a noun representing a class, it takes a plural verb.
For example-:
• The rich have a lot of responsibility towards the poor.
14. The verb in a relative clause is singular or plural depending on the number and person of the antecedent of the relative pronoun.
For example-:
• It is you who have insulted me.
• It is he who has torn my notebook.
15 When the subject connected by such words as along with, together with. as well as, in addition to. rather than, including, besides. like, and not, verb is used according to that stands first.
For example-:
• My sister with her husband enjoys travelling.
B. USES OF PARTICIPLES AND INFINITIVES
16. Ask, advise, allow, command, force, forbid, invite, encourage, compel,
beg, order, imagine, instruct, permit, persuade, tell, require, remind, teach,
etc. are followed by Object + To +V1
For example-:
Incorrect- He advised to do it by me.
Correct- He advised me to do it.
• She was permitted to go with him.
17.Know is followed by how/ where/when/why and Infinitive.
For example-:
Incorrect- I know to write a letter.
Correct- I know how to write a letter.
Some common verbs that are normally followed by-ing forms:
Admit, appreciate, avoid, advice,allow,burst out (crying/ laughing),consider,encourage,contemplate, delay, deny, detest, dislike, discuss,endure, enjoy, escape,hate,, forget,excuse,try,love, feel,like, finish, forgive, give up, (can’t) help, imagine, involve, keep (on), leave off mention, mind, miss, postpone, practise, put off, resent, resist, risk, (can’t) stand,suggest,understand,start,stop,anticipate,bigin,cease,remember,recollect,neglect,practice,prefer,propose,quit, recall
