SDM'S Grammar Handnotes: SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

 

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The number and person of a subject always determines the form of its verb.

In English there are 2 numbers: singular and plural

And, there are 3 persons: 1st person: I/We, 2nd person: You/You,

3 person: He,She, It, This, That, Ram,Sita and all singular names/they

Do: singular form does/ plural form do

Be: singular form is,am,was/ plural form are,were

Have: singular form has/plural form have

Play singular form plays/ plural form play.

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* 'The number' takes a singular verb.

Example: The number of students present in the class was not impressive.

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Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and take a plural verb.

1. Example: The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.

   Example: The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless population in the city.

   Example: Locally produced goods have the advantage of shorter supply chains.

2. In sentences beginning with "here/there is" or "here/there are," the subject follows the verb. Since "here/there" is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows the verb.

   Example: Here/There is little administrative support.

   Example: Here/There are many factors affecting teacher retention.

When a 'means' is a single practice, it's singular—for example,

The best means of keeping teeth clean is to brush twice daily.

When 'means' denotes multiple practices, it's plural—for example,

Some means of finding jobs are more effective than others.

Copyright: Shankar D Mishra 09.01.2021