Subject-Verb Agreement Rules with Examples & MCQ | English Grammar

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules With MCQ - Concord Rules Examples for Competitive Exams
English Grammar • Theory + Concept + MCQ

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules with Examples & MCQ

Learn Subject-Verb Agreement in simple English with clear rules, examples, tricky cases, error-spotting patterns and practice MCQs for TET, CTET, WBPSC, WBP, Panchayat and other competitive examinations.

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Quick Answer: Subject-Verb Agreement means that the verb must match its subject in number and person. A singular subject generally takes a singular verb, while a plural subject generally takes a plural verb. Example: “The boy plays.” but “The boys play.”
📘 Theory Complete rules from basic to advanced exam-level cases.
✍️ Examples Correct and incorrect sentence patterns for quick revision.
📝 MCQ Practice 30 original questions with answers and explanations.

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-Verb Agreement, also called concord, is the grammatical relationship between a subject and its verb. The form of the verb should agree with the subject according to person and number.

In simple terms, first identify who or what is doing the action, then choose the verb that matches that subject. This becomes especially important when a sentence contains extra words between the subject and the verb.

Correct: The student works hard.
Correct: The students work hard.
Incorrect: The students works hard.

Cambridge Dictionary explains subject-verb agreement as the matching of the subject's person and number with the verb.

For competitive exams, the most important skill is not merely memorising rules. You should be able to identify the real grammatical subject, ignore distracting words and then select the correct verb.

Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Rule

The easiest rule is:

Singular Subject → Singular Verb
Plural Subject → Plural Verb
Subject Correct Verb Example
He works He works in Kolkata.
She reads She reads every day.
It looks It looks beautiful.
They work They work together.
We read We read regularly.
The students play The students play football.
Exam Shortcut: In the Present Simple tense, remember: He/She/It + V1+s/es, but I/We/You/They + V1.

Important Subject-Verb Agreement Rules with Examples

1 Singular Subject Takes a Singular Verb

A singular noun or third-person singular pronoun generally takes a singular verb.

Correct: The teacher explains the lesson.
Correct: My brother lives in Kolkata.

2 Plural Subject Takes a Plural Verb

Plural subjects normally take plural verb forms.

Correct: The teachers explain the lesson.
Correct: My brothers live in Kolkata.

3 Two Subjects Joined by “And” Usually Take a Plural Verb

When two separate subjects are joined by and, the verb is normally plural.

Rina and Mina are friends.
Tea and biscuits are available.

Important exception: When two nouns refer to one person, one thing, one title or one combined idea, a singular verb may be used.

The poet and philosopher is here.

4 “Each” and “Every” Take Singular Verbs

Each and every are treated as singular when they function as determiners before a singular noun.

Each student has a notebook.
Every candidate needs practice.

Even when followed by of + plural noun, each normally takes a singular verb: Each of the students has a book.

5 Either / Neither Usually Take Singular Verbs

In formal standard usage, either and neither generally take singular verbs when they are the subject.

Either answer is correct.
Neither candidate was ready.

6 “Either…or” and “Neither…nor”

When subjects are joined by either…or or neither…nor, the verb commonly agrees with the subject nearer to it.

Either the teacher or the students are responsible.
Either the students or the teacher is responsible.
Neither the manager nor the workers were available.

7 “As Well As”, “Together With”, “Along With”

These expressions do not normally change the number of the main subject. Identify the main subject first.

The teacher, along with the students, is present.
The students, along with the teacher, are present.

8 Ignore Prepositional Phrases Between Subject and Verb

A phrase beginning with of, with, along with, in, as well as, etc. may contain a noun that distracts you. That noun is not automatically the subject.

The box of old books is heavy.
The books in the box are old.

9 “One of + Plural Noun” Takes a Singular Verb

One of my friends is a teacher.
One of the students has answered correctly.

The real subject is one, not friends or students.

10 “A Number of” vs “The Number of”

A number of students are absent.
The number of students is increasing.

Remember: a number of → plural; the number of → singular.

11 Collective Nouns Need Context

Collective nouns such as team, committee, family, audience, government can behave differently depending on whether the group is viewed as a unit or as individual members. Exam questions normally provide enough context to determine the intended meaning.

The team is ready. (viewed as one unit)
The committee are divided on the issue. (members viewed individually; common in British usage)

12 Uncountable Nouns Usually Take Singular Verbs

Nouns such as information, advice, furniture, news, equipment are generally treated as singular in standard English.

The information is useful.
The news is surprising.
The furniture is expensive.

13 “News” Is Singular

Although news ends in -s, it is normally treated as a singular uncountable noun.

The news is good.
The news are good.

14 Titles of Books, Films, Newspapers and Works

A title referring to one work is generally treated as singular even if the title contains plural-looking words.

“Great Expectations” is a famous novel.

15 Subjects Expressing Time, Money or Distance as One Amount

When an amount is considered a single unit, a singular verb is commonly used.

Ten kilometres is a long walk.
Five hundred rupees is enough.

16 “There Is” / “There Are”

In there + be constructions, the verb agrees with the noun that follows.

There is a book on the table.
There are three books on the table.

17 “More Than One” Takes a Singular Noun and Usually a Singular Verb

More than one student has made this mistake.

18 “Many a” Takes a Singular Verb

Many a student has faced this problem.

Tricky Subject-Verb Agreement Rules for Competitive Exams

1. Do Not Choose the Verb by Looking at the Nearest Noun

This is one of the most common error-spotting traps.

The quality of these products is good.
Not: The quality of these products are good.

2. “Each of the…”

The noun after of may be plural, but the grammatical subject is each.

Each of the candidates has submitted the form.

3. “Every one of…”

Every one of the answers is correct.

4. “Both…and”

Both…and refers to two subjects together, so a plural verb is normally used.

Both Riya and Sima are present.

5. Gerund as Subject

A gerund phrase functioning as the subject is generally treated as singular.

Reading books is a good habit.
Swimming is good exercise.

6. Infinitive Phrase as Subject

To work hard is necessary for success.

7. Relative Pronouns: “Who/Which/That”

The verb in a relative clause must agree with the antecedent of the relative pronoun.

She is one of the students who work hard.
He is the only one of the students who works hard.

8. “Police”, “Cattle” and Similar Plural Nouns

Some nouns are grammatically plural and normally take plural verbs.

The police are investigating the case.
The cattle are grazing in the field.

9. “Scissors”, “Trousers”, “Pants” and Similar Plural-Form Nouns

The scissors are on the table.
My trousers are new.

10. Mathematics, Economics, Physics etc.

Names of academic subjects ending in -s may still take singular verbs.

Mathematics is interesting.
Economics is an important subject.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Most Important Patterns at a Glance

Pattern Verb Example
Each + singular noun Singular Each student has a book.
Every + singular noun Singular Every child needs care.
One of + plural noun Singular One of the boys is absent.
A number of + plural noun Plural A number of students are absent.
The number of + plural noun Singular The number of students is rising.
Either…or Nearer subject Either the teacher or the students are ready.
Neither…nor Nearer subject Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.
Along with / as well as Main subject The teacher, along with students, is present.
There + be Following noun There are two books.
News Singular The news is surprising.

Common Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

Incorrect Correct Why?
The boys plays cricket. The boys play cricket. Plural subject → plural verb.
Each students have a book. Each student has a book. Each + singular noun + singular verb.
The quality of the products are good. The quality of the products is good. Main subject is “quality”.
A number of student is absent. A number of students are absent. “A number of” takes plural noun and verb.
The number of students are increasing. The number of students is increasing. “The number” is singular.
The news are true. The news is true. News is treated as singular.
Neither answer are correct. Neither answer is correct. Neither normally takes singular agreement.
Golden Rule for Error Spotting: First underline the subject. Then cross out distracting phrases such as of the students, along with the teacher or as well as his friends. Finally check the verb.

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30 Subject-Verb Agreement MCQs with Answers

Try each question yourself before opening the answer. These questions cover basic agreement, tricky subjects, either/or, neither/nor, collective nouns, quantities and common error-spotting patterns.

1. The boy ____ to school every day.

A) go   B) goes   C) going   D) gone
Show Answer

Answer: B) goes. “The boy” is singular, so the Present Simple verb takes -s.

2. The boys ____ football every afternoon.

A) plays   B) play   C) playing   D) has played
Show Answer

Answer: B) play. “Boys” is plural, so the base form is used.

3. Each of the students ____ a notebook.

A) have   B) has   C) having   D) are having
Show Answer

Answer: B) has. The subject is “each”, which takes singular agreement.

4. The quality of these books ____ excellent.

A) are   B) were   C) is   D) have
Show Answer

Answer: C) is. The real subject is singular “quality”; “books” is inside the prepositional phrase.

5. Rina and Sima ____ good friends.

A) is   B) are   C) was   D) has
Show Answer

Answer: B) are. Two separate subjects joined by “and” normally take a plural verb.

6. Neither of the answers ____ correct.

A) are   B) were   C) is   D) have
Show Answer

Answer: C) is. “Neither” normally takes singular agreement in formal standard usage.

7. Either the teacher or the students ____ responsible.

A) is   B) are   C) was   D) has
Show Answer

Answer: B) are. With either…or, the verb commonly agrees with the nearer subject, “students”.

8. Either the students or the teacher ____ responsible.

A) are   B) were   C) is   D) have
Show Answer

Answer: C) is. The nearer subject is singular “teacher”.

9. A number of candidates ____ absent.

A) is   B) are   C) was   D) has
Show Answer

Answer: B) are. “A number of” means several and takes a plural verb.

10. The number of candidates ____ increasing.

A) are   B) were   C) is   D) have
Show Answer

Answer: C) is. The subject is “the number”, which is singular.

11. One of my friends ____ a doctor.

A) are   B) is   C) have   D) were
Show Answer

Answer: B) is. The subject is “one”, not “friends”.

12. The news ____ surprising.

A) are   B) were   C) is   D) have
Show Answer

Answer: C) is. “News” is normally treated as a singular uncountable noun.

13. The teacher, along with her students, ____ present.

A) are   B) were   C) is   D) have
Show Answer

Answer: C) is. “Along with her students” does not change the number of the main subject “teacher”.

14. Mathematics ____ my favourite subject.

A) are   B) is   C) were   D) have
Show Answer

Answer: B) is. The academic subject “Mathematics” is normally singular.

15. There ____ three books on the table.

A) is   B) was   C) are   D) has
Show Answer

Answer: C) are. The following noun “three books” is plural.

16. There ____ a pen in the box.

A) are   B) is   C) have   D) were
Show Answer

Answer: B) is. “A pen” is singular.

17. The police ____ investigating the case.

A) is   B) are   C) was   D) has
Show Answer

Answer: B) are. “Police” is normally used as a plural noun in this meaning.

18. More than one student ____ made the same mistake.

A) have   B) are   C) has   D) were
Show Answer

Answer: C) has. “More than one + singular noun” normally takes a singular verb.

19. Many a student ____ afraid of making mistakes.

A) are   B) is   C) have   D) were
Show Answer

Answer: B) is. “Many a” is followed by a singular noun and singular verb.

20. Reading books ____ a good habit.

A) are   B) were   C) is   D) have
Show Answer

Answer: C) is. The gerund phrase “Reading books” functions as a singular subject.

21. The box of chocolates ____ on the table.

A) are   B) is   C) have   D) were
Show Answer

Answer: B) is. The subject is “box”; “of chocolates” is only a modifying phrase.

22. Every candidate ____ an identity card.

A) have   B) has   C) are having   D) were
Show Answer

Answer: B) has. “Every” takes a singular noun and singular verb.

23. The scissors ____ on the desk.

A) is   B) are   C) was   D) has
Show Answer

Answer: B) are. “Scissors” is normally treated as a plural-form noun.

24. Five hundred rupees ____ enough for the ticket.

A) are   B) were   C) is   D) have
Show Answer

Answer: C) is. The amount is treated as one unit.

25. Both the teacher and the student ____ ready.

A) is   B) are   C) was   D) has
Show Answer

Answer: B) are. “Both…and” refers to two subjects together.

26. Neither the manager nor the workers ____ available.

A) was   B) is   C) were   D) has
Show Answer

Answer: C) were. The nearer subject is plural “workers”.

27. The committee ____ divided on the issue.

A) is   B) are   C) has   D) was
Show Answer

Answer: B) are. Here the committee is viewed as individual members with differing opinions. British usage commonly permits plural agreement in this sense.

28. Choose the correct sentence.

A) The students in the class is ready.
B) The students in the class are ready.
C) The students in the class was ready.
D) The students in the class has ready.
Show Answer

Answer: B. “Students” is the plural subject; “in the class” is a modifying phrase.

29. Choose the correct sentence.

A) Each of the boys have a pen.
B) Each of the boys has a pen.
C) Each of the boys are having a pen.
D) Each of the boys were a pen.
Show Answer

Answer: B. “Each” is singular and therefore takes “has”.

30. Identify the correct sentence.

A) The number of applicants are increasing.
B) The number of applicants is increasing.
C) The number of applicant are increasing.
D) The number of applicants have increasing.
Show Answer

Answer: B. “The number” is the singular subject.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Quick Revision for AI Search & Featured Answers

What is Subject-Verb Agreement? It is the grammatical matching of the subject and verb in person and number.
What does “Each” take? Each normally takes a singular verb: “Each student has a book.”
What does “A number of” take? “A number of” normally takes a plural verb: “A number of students are absent.”
What does “The number of” take? “The number of” takes a singular verb: “The number of students is rising.”
What about Either…or? The verb commonly agrees with the nearer subject in formal exam-style constructions.
What is the biggest exam trap? Do not let a noun inside an “of” or “along with” phrase distract you from the real subject.

How to Solve Subject-Verb Agreement Questions Faster

  1. Find the main subject. Ask: “Who or what is the sentence about?”
  2. Ignore distracting phrases. Temporarily remove “of…”, “along with…”, “as well as…” and similar phrases.
  3. Check singular or plural. Do not decide from the nearest noun.
  4. Look for trigger words. Each, every, either, neither, one of, a number of and the number of are common exam signals.
  5. Check the tense. Agreement is especially visible in Present Simple and forms of “be”, “have” and “do”.
  6. Read the whole sentence once more. Make sure the meaning and grammar both work.
30-Second Revision Formula:
Subject → Number → Trigger Word → Ignore Distractor → Choose Verb → Re-read.

Authoritative Grammar References

The following external resources are useful for deeper grammar study. These are standard educational references and are included as do-follow links.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Subject-Verb Agreement

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-Verb Agreement is the grammatical rule that the verb should agree with its subject in person and number. For example, “The boy plays” and “The boys play.”

What is the basic rule of Subject-Verb Agreement?

A singular subject generally takes a singular verb, while a plural subject generally takes a plural verb. The exact form depends on the tense and verb involved.

Does each take a singular verb?

Yes. In standard formal usage, “each” normally takes a singular verb: “Each of the students has a book.”

What is the difference between “a number of” and “the number of”?

“A number of” normally takes a plural verb: “A number of students are absent.” “The number of” takes a singular verb: “The number of students is increasing.”

Does “neither” take a singular verb?

In formal standard usage, “neither” normally takes a singular verb when it functions as the subject: “Neither answer is correct.”

How do I use Subject-Verb Agreement with either…or?

In formal exam-style constructions, the verb commonly agrees with the subject nearer to the verb. Example: “Either the teacher or the students are ready.”

Why is “The news is good” correct?

“News” is normally treated as a singular uncountable noun, despite ending in “-s”. Therefore, “The news is good” is standard.

What is the biggest Subject-Verb Agreement mistake in error spotting?

A common mistake is choosing a verb according to the nearest noun rather than the actual subject. For example: “The quality of the products is good.” The subject is “quality”, not “products”.

Is Subject-Verb Agreement important for competitive exams?

Subject-Verb Agreement is a core English grammar concept used in sentence correction, error spotting, fill-in-the-blanks and related grammar questions. The exact importance varies by examination and syllabus, so candidates should check the current notification and syllabus for their target exam.

Final Revision + Practice

Master the Rule, Then Practise the Pattern

Subject-Verb Agreement becomes easy when you identify the real subject, recognise the trigger word and ignore distracting nouns. Revise this page, solve the 30 MCQs and then move to mixed English Grammar practice.

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Study Tip: Keep an “English Error Notebook”. Whenever you get an agreement question wrong, write the exact rule beside the sentence. Revising your own mistakes is often more useful than repeatedly reading the same rule.
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