please tell me all the rules of subject-verb agreement with a example
Dear student,
1. A Verb must agree with its subject in Number and Person.
For example- The quality of the apples was not good.
2. Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by 'and' require a plural verb.
For example- Gold and silver are precious metals.
3. Words joined to a singular subject by 'with', 'as well as' etc are parenthetical.
The verb should therefore be put in the singular.
For example- The ship, with its crew was lost.
4. Two or more singular subjects connected by 'or' or 'nor' require a singular verb.
For example- Either Ravi or Rani broke the vase.
5. When the subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor' are of different persons, the verb agrees with the nearer.
For example- Either you or he is mistaken.
6. Either, neither, each, everyone, many a, must be followed by a singular verb.
For example- Neither of the two men was very strong.
7.Two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by 'and' require a singular verb.
For example- Every boy and every girl was given a packet of sweets.
8. Some nouns which are plural in form but singular in meaning take a singular verb.
For example- The news is true.
9. 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 one hundred rupees.
10. A collective noun takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as a whole, plural verb when the individuals of which it is composed are thought of.
For example- The committee has issued its report. The committee are divided on one minor point.
11. When the plural noun is a proper name for some single object or some or some collective unit , it must be followed by a singular verb.
For example- The United States has a big navy.
12. When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, the verb is generally singular.
For example- Ten kilometres is a long walk.
Regards
1. A Verb must agree with its subject in Number and Person.
For example- The quality of the apples was not good.
2. Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by 'and' require a plural verb.
For example- Gold and silver are precious metals.
3. Words joined to a singular subject by 'with', 'as well as' etc are parenthetical.
The verb should therefore be put in the singular.
For example- The ship, with its crew was lost.
4. Two or more singular subjects connected by 'or' or 'nor' require a singular verb.
For example- Either Ravi or Rani broke the vase.
5. When the subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor' are of different persons, the verb agrees with the nearer.
For example- Either you or he is mistaken.
6. Either, neither, each, everyone, many a, must be followed by a singular verb.
For example- Neither of the two men was very strong.
7.Two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by 'and' require a singular verb.
For example- Every boy and every girl was given a packet of sweets.
8. Some nouns which are plural in form but singular in meaning take a singular verb.
For example- The news is true.
9. 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 one hundred rupees.
10. A collective noun takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as a whole, plural verb when the individuals of which it is composed are thought of.
For example- The committee has issued its report. The committee are divided on one minor point.
11. When the plural noun is a proper name for some single object or some or some collective unit , it must be followed by a singular verb.
For example- The United States has a big navy.
12. When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, the verb is generally singular.
For example- Ten kilometres is a long walk.
Regards