SYNTAX

Subject Verb Agreement

Subject verb agreement: “A verb must agree with its subject in number and person”
Note: a. If subject is singular verb should be singular.
b. If subject is plural verb should be plural.
E.g. My friend likes to compose poetry.
Those students practise hard

Rule 1. [noun/pronoun + preposition + noun/ pronoun] verb will be according to the first
noun or pronoun
E.g. The captain, Virat Kohli’s statements in the Times of India on the preparation of test
matches has been praised by every Indian. (W)
The captain, Virat Kohli’s statements in the Times of India on the preparation of test
matches have been praised by every Indian. (R)
Rule 2. If the following words are used verb will be according to the noun after “of”.
a lot of, lots of, heaps of, plenty of , a quarter of , two thirds of , three fourths of, most
of, some of, mass of, majority of, minority of , part of, percent of, proportion of, all
of, handful of and a great deal of etc.
E.g. A lot of books and novels are readable now a days.
A lot of air and water in the N.C.R. is polluted.
Rule 3. A number of + noun (plural) + verb (plural)
The number of + noun (plural) + verb (singular)
E.g. A number of students have started their studies.
The number of tax payers has paid the tax.
Rule 4. If a noun shows definite “distance /amount /weight and measurement”. Verb will be
singular.
E.g. Ten miles is not a long distance to pass on foot
Ten rupees is equal to one thousand paisa.
Twenty dollars is not a handsome amount to help.
Rule 5. The percentage of noun (plural/uncountable) verb (singular)
E.g. The percentage of novels in the library is not readable.
The percentage of water in this city is not potable.
Rule 6. With “Hyphenated Expressions” verb will be singular.
E.g. Ship after ship, man after man, page after page, word for word, and village after village.
E.g. Ship after ship is going towards the port.
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Rule 7. The + Adjective (plural noun) + verb (plural)
E.g. The rich are not helping the poor.
Rule 8. The + language (plural) + verb (plural)
E.g. The English speak English.
Rule 9. A many/ a good many/ a great many + noun (plural) + verb (plural)
E.g. A many players have performed their best.
A great many sailors have crossed the seal.
Rule 10. Many a/an + noun (singular) + verb (singular)
E.g. Many an apple is sweet
Many a man has participated in the competition.
Rule 11. Use of “more than”
E.g. More than one novel is readable
More novels than one are readable
Rule 12. Noun/ pronoun in apposition:
E.g. Mohan, one of the best politicians has worked hard.
You, the captain of this team have a right to take any decision
Rule 13. Plural noun/ pronoun + each + verb (plural)
E.g. We each have to be there on time.
Rule 14. Use of “all”. It is singular for things and plural for people.
E.g. All is well (things)
All are well (people)
Rule 15. If two nouns or pronouns are connected by “and”. Always use plural verb.
E.g. Thomas Hardy and Rossetti were novelists.
You and I have a new plan to discuss.
Rule 16. Parcel subjects: verb will be singular
E.g. Bread and butter Brick and stone
Horse and carriage Honour and glory
Rice and curry Fish and curry
Time and tide. Etc.
E.g. Time and tide waits for none.
Rule 17. If two nouns or pronouns are connected by the following words. Verb will be
according to the first noun of pronoun
E.g. As well as, and not, with, together with, along with, in addition to, no less than, rather
than, more than, like, unlike, but, except, besides, including and excluding.
E.g. A criminal with all his accomplices has been arrested by police.
Rule 18. If two nouns or pronouns are connected by the following words verb will be according
to the nearest noun of pronoun.
E.g. Not only………but also, either…….or, neither……. Nor, or and nor etc.
E.g. Not only Mohan but also his friends has been going abroad.
Either you or I am going to market.
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Rule 19. Nothing but + noun (singular/plural) + verb (singular)
E.g. Nothing but snow was seen everywhere last week in Kashmir.
Nothing but trees is looking beautiful after rain.
Rule 20. As regards/ as concerns and as follows are fixed. Never write them like “as regard/ as
concern/ as follow”
E.g. The new list is as follows.
The old articles are as follows.
Rule 21. Use of country:
a. we use singular verb with the name of country
E.g. India is my country
b. if country represents team verb will be plural
E.g. India have won the innings.
India win the toss and opt to bat first.
Rule 22. a/an/the + noun + and + noun + verb (singular)
E.g. A poet and politician is coming to inaugurate the new building.
Rule 23. a/an/the + noun + and + a/an/the + noun + verb (plural)
E.g. A doctor and a politician have organized this meeting.
Rule 23. a/an/the + adjective + and + adjective + noun (singular) + verb (singular)
E.g. A black and white cat is mine.
Rule 24. a/an/the + adjective + and + a/an/the + adjective + Noun (singular) + verb (plural)
E.g. A black and a white cat are mine.
Rule 25. Each/every/either/neither + noun (singular) + verb (singular)
E.g. Each student has submitted his assignments.
Rule 26. Each/ either/ neither + of + noun/ pronoun (plural) + verb (singular)
E.g. Each of the students has to start practice.
Rule 27. One third of/ two thirds of + noun (singular) + verb (singular)
E.g. One third of this book has been read by me.
Two thirds of the novel has a good story.
Rule 28. One third of/ two thirds of + noun (plural) + verb (plural)
E.g. One third of students are on time.
Two thirds of the politicians have opposed the new law.
Rule 29. The majority of / a majority of/ a minority of + noun (plural) + verb (plural)
E.g. The majority of doctors are on strike.
Rule 30. Use of “wages”
Wages is used for “money”. Verb will be plural.
E.g. His wages are not sufficient to live here.
Wage is used for “result”. Verb will be singular.
E.g. The wages of sin is death.
Rule 31. A variety of + noun (plural) + verb (plural)
The variety of + noun (plural) + verb (singular)
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 E.g. A variety of shoes have been sold.
The variety of new jeans is really good.
Rule 32. No + singular noun + and + no + singular noun + verb (singular)
E.g. No boy and no girl is present in the class.

Question and Answers

Directions: In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out
which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free
from error, select No Error.
1. The demand of the workers’ union that their wages should be (A)/ increased were
supported (B)/ by a vast majority(C)/ No Error (D)
A. The demand of the workers’ union that their wages should be
B. increased were supported
C. by a vast majority
D. No error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “was” in place of “were”. The subject of the
sentence is “demand” which is a singular subject and we should use a singular verb. If there
is a rule [noun + preposition + noun] verb will be according to the first noun.
2. Along the northern frontier (A)/ of India is seen the mighty Himalayas (B)/in their splendor
(C)/ No Error (D)
A. Along the northern frontier B. of India is seen the Himalayas mighty
C. in their splendor D. No error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “are” in place of “is”. In the given sentence
subject “Himalayas” is plural. This subject demands a plural verb so “are” is the correct
answer. In this sentence verb is written before a subject which is the case of inversion.
3. Pt. Lala Bhai often says that (A)/ it are these obscene films (B)/that lead the youth to their
moral degradation and are responsible for many evils growing in our society(C)/No Error
(D)
A. Pt. Lala Bhai often says that
B. it are these obscene films
C. that lead the youth to their moral degradation and are responsible for many evils
growing in our society
D. No Error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “are”. In the given sentence
“it” is the subject. It is an introductory pronoun which always takes a singular verb. Hence,
use a singular verb in part “B”.

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4. Shingles are a disease (A)/in which the patient develops (B)/lots of spots on the body(C)/No
Error(D)
A. Shingles are a disease B. in which the patient develops
C. lots of spots on the body D. No error
Ans: A
Solution: Option “A” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “are”. A few nouns always look
plural, but they take singular verbs as they are the names of subjects, movies and disease etc.
E.g. Three idiots, Hard Times, Arabinan Knights, Shingles, Paralysis, and Mathematics etc.
E.g. Mathematics is abstruse to understand.
5. The real important thing of our life is our livelihood which (A)/ discriminate (B)/ us from
animals (C)/ No Error (D)
A. The real important thing of our life is our livelihood which
B. discriminate
C. us from animals
D. No Error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “discriminates” in place of “discriminate”.
This is the case of “Relative Pronoun”. It always takes verb according to the antecedent.
“Antecedent” is a noun or a pronoun which is used before “Relative Pronoun”. See the
examples below.
E.g. I met a boy who was going to gym.
I met many soldiers who are working for the nation.
In the above examples “boy” and “soldiers” are used as antecedents.
6. The social cooperation between all the (A)/ countries in this year (B)/ have increased (C)/
No error (D)
A. The social cooperation between all the B. countries in this year
C. have increased D. No error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “has” in place of “have”. Because the subject
of this sentence is “the social cooperation” which is singular so use a singular verb. A singular
subject always takes a singular verb and a plural subject always takes a plural verb.
7. A number of quotations in the dramas of (A)/ William Shakespeare and his contemporary
writers (B)/ shows how common the abuse is (C)/ no error (D)
A. A number of quotations in the dramas of
B. William Shakespeare and his contemporary writers
C. shows how common the abuse is
D. No error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “show” in place of “shows”. The subject of
the sentence is “a number of”. We use plural noun and plural verb after “a number of”
E.g. A number of players play well
The number of players plays well.

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8. Some of the original freshness of the works of (A)/ John Keats in his odes (B)/ are still the
same (C)/ no error (D)
A. Some of the original freshness of the works of
B. John Keats in his odes
C. are still the same
D. No error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “are”. The subject of the
sentence is “freshness” which is a singular subject so use a singular verb with it. Singular
subject takes singular verb and plural subject takes plural verb.
9. My friend tells me that (A)/ there are twenty rupees (B)/ in his pocket (C)/ no error (D)
A. My friend tells me that B. there are twenty rupees
C. in his pocket D. No error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “are”. Because twenty rupees
is an amount and it takes singular verb.
E.g. Ten rupees is in my pocket.
10. Many a flowers bloom and fill (A)/ the garden with (B)/ fragrance to allure the visitors (C)/
no error (D)
A. Many a flowers bloom and fill B. the garden with
C. fragrance to allure the visitors D. No error
Ans: A
Solution: Option “A” is the correct answer. Use “flower blooms and fills” in place of “flowers
bloom and fill”. Always us singular noun and singular verb after many a/ an. Rule [many a/ an
+ singular noun + singular verb]
E.g. Many a novel is good here to read.
11. Every one of her five daughters (A)/ were beautiful (B)/ and they all have their own ideology
(C)/ No error (D)
A. Every one of her five daughters B. Was beautiful
C. and they all have their own ideology D. No error
Ans: D
Solution: The given sentence is correct.
12. The trouble with (A)/ most men’s daily lives (B)/ are their job and family (C)/ no error (D)
A. The trouble with B. most men’s daily lives
C. are their job and family D. No error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “are”. Here subject “the
trouble” is singular so use singular verb with it. Singular subject always takes singular verb
and plural subject always takes plural verb.
13. Now a days the teacher and scholar (A)/ have a lot of new and innovative (B)/ ideas to show
the world (C)/ no error (D)
A. Now a days the teacher and scholar B. have a lot of new and innovative
C. ideas to show the world D. No error
Ans: B
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 Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “has” in place of “have”. If two nouns are
connected with a conjunction “and”, article “the” is used before the first one both nouns are
considered as a single body and verb will be singular. If both nouns are preceded by article
“the”, those nouns are considered two different persons so the verb will be plural. See the
examples below.
E.g. The teacher and principle is coming.
The teacher and the principle are coming.
14. The king and not his subjects (A)/ who are busy in merry making (B)/ don’t care for the
kingdom (C)/ no error (D)
A. The king and not his subjects B. who are busy in merry making
C. don’t care for the kingdom D. No error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “doesn’t” in place of “don’t”. if two nouns or
pronouns are connected with “in addition to/ as well as/ and not/ with/ like and unlike” verb
will be according to the first noun or pronoun. Here the subject of the sentence is “the king”
which is a singular subject so use singular verb with it. See the examples below.
E.g. Ram as well as his friends works hard. [Don’t use “word”]
15. He as well as I (A)/ am one of the most (B)/ demanded players (C)/ no error (D)
A. He as well as I B. am one of the most
C. demanded players D. No error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “am”. if two nouns or pronouns
are connected with “in addition to/ as well as/ and not/ with/ like and unlike” verb will be
according to the first noun or pronoun.
E.g. John as well as his friends is working hard.
16. Every boy and every girl in the class (A)/ have to submit assignments to the class teacher
(B)/ by the end of this week (C)/ no error (D)
A. Every boy and every girl in the class
B. have to submit assignments to the class teacher
C. by the end of this week
D. No error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “has” in place of “have”. “Every” is a
demonstrative adjective and it always takes singular noun and singular verb. In the given
sentence” every boy and every girl” is considered a singular subject. Hence, verb should be
singular.
17. Are either of the candidates (A)/ who are nominee for the next election (B)/ (C)/ no error
(D)
A. Are either of the candidates B. who are nominee for the next election
C. suitable? D. No error
Ans: A
Solution: Option “A” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “are”. In the given sentence
“either” is a distributive pronoun which is considered singular. It always takes singular verb.

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 The given sentence is interrogative and in interrogative sentence “verb” is always placed
before a subject. See the rule of distributive pronoun.
[Either/ Neither/ Each + of + noun/ pronoun (plural) + verb (singular)]
E.g. Neither of the players has played well.
18. The report is candid in admitting that the investment by the Government (A)/ in health and
family planning (B)/ have been eroded considerably (C)/ no error (D)
A. The report is candid in admitting that the investment by the Government
B. in health and family planning
C. have been eroded considerably
D. no error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “has” in place of “have”. The first part of the
sentence is correct but after the conjunction “that” there is a subject “the investment” which
is a singular subject so use a singular verb after it. Singular subject always takes singular verb
and plural subject always take plural verb.
19. The number of marks carried by each question (A)/ are indicated (B)/ at the end of the
question (C)/ No Error (D)
A. The number of marks carried by each question
B. are indicated
C. at the end of the question
D. No Error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “are”. If the subject is “the
number of” it always takes plural noun and singular verb. See the rules below.
[A number of + noun (plural) + verb (plural)]
[The number of + noun (plural) + verb (singular)]
E.g. A number of students have started studies.
The number of students has started studies.
E.g. The number of novels is readable
A number of novels are readable
20. Neither the stuff nor the quality (A)/ of the clothes which (B)/ I purchased for her yesterday
were right (C)/ No Error (D)
A. Neither the stuff nor the quality B. of the clothes which
C. I purchased for him yesterday were right D. No Error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “was” in place of “were”. If two noun or
pronouns are connected by [not only……but also/ either……or/ neither……nor etc.] verb
should be according to the nearest noun or pronoun. In the given sentence “the stuff and the
quality” are connected by the above-mentioned conjunctions. Hence, verb will be according
to the nearest noun which is “the quality”. It is singular so use singular verb.
21. Forty kilometers (A)/ from Greater Noida to Delhi (B)/ are not a long distance (C)/ No Error
(D)
A. Forty kilometers B. from Greater Noida to Delhi
C. are not a long distance D. no error
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 Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “are”. In the given sentence
the subject of the sentence is “Forty kilometres” which indicates a block of distance and is
considered singular. Hence singular verb should be used in the “C” section.
22. The information supplied (A)/ to us were not as useful as we first(B)/thought it would
be(C)/ No Error (D
A. The information supplied B. to us were not as useful as we first
C. thought it would be D. no error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “was” in place of “were”. In the given
sentence the subject of the sentence “the information” is singular. It is a singular subject so
we should use singular verb. Hence option “B” is the correct answer.
23. From Bombay (A)/ the Rajdhani express (B)/ don’t go straight to New Delhi (C)/ No Error (D)
A. From Bombay B. the Rajdhani express
C. don’t go straight to New Delhi D. no error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “doesn’t” in place of “don’t”. In the given
sentence the subject is “the Rajdhani Express” which is singular so use a singular verb.
Singular verb subject always takes singular verb and plural subject always takes plural verb.
Hence, option “C” is the correct answer.
24. Rakesh is one of the best comedians (A)/ that has ever lived (B)/ Do you agree? (C)/ No
Error (D)
A. He is one of the best novelists B. that has ever lived
C. Do you agree? D. No error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “have” in place of “has”. This is the case of
Relative Pronoun. In “Relative pronoun” verb agree to the antecedent. “Antecedent” is a
noun or pronoun which is used before Relative Pronoun. If antecedent is singular verb will be
singular. If antecedent is plural verb will be plural. In the given sentence antecedent is
“novelists” which is plural so plural verb should be used. Hence, option “B” is the correct
answer.
25. We are happy that (A)/ our Prime Minister with the members (B)/ of his cabinet are to be
present at the function (C)/ No Error (D)
A. We are happy that
B. our Prime Minister with the members
C. of his cabinet are to be present at the function
D. no error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “is” in place of “are”. If two nouns or pronouns
are connected with “ as well as/ in addition to/ with/ along with and except” verb agree to
the first noun or pronoun. So in the given sentence the first noun is “Prime Minister” which
is singular so singular verb should be used in part “C”.

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26. Some people feels (A)/ that with local language (B)/ no progress is possible (C)/ No Error (D)
A. Some people feels
B. that with local language
C. no progress is possible
D. no error
Ans: A
Solution: Option “A” is the correct answer. Use “feel” in place of “feels”. In the given sentence
subject “people” is plural so use plural verb to make the agreement between subject and
verb. A few nouns always take plural verb. See the examples below.
E.g. [police/ people/ poultry/ peasantry/ vermin and cattle]
E.g. Cattle are grazing by the river.
27. Neither the colour nor the size (A)/ of the jeans which (B)/ my friend purchased to gift me
yesterday were adorable (C)/ No Error (D)
A. Neither the colour nor the size
B. of the jeans which
C. my friend purchased to gift me yesterday were adorable
D. No Error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “was” in place of “were”. If two noun or
pronouns are connected by [not only……but also/ either……or/ neither……nor etc.] verb
should be according to the nearest noun or pronoun. In the given sentence “the colour and
the size” are connected by the above-mentioned conjunctions. Hence, verb will be according
to the nearest noun which is “the size”. It is singular so use singular verb.
28. There is a lovely road (A)/ that run from (B)/ Kullu into the hills (C)/ No Error (D)
A. There is a lovely road B. that run from
C. Kullu into the hills D. No error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “runs” in place of “run”. This is the case of
Relative Pronoun. In “Relative pronoun” verb agree to the antecedent. “Antecedent” is a
noun or pronoun which is used before Relative Pronoun. If antecedent is singular verb will be
singular. If antecedent is plural verb will be plural. In the given sentence antecedent is “road”
which is singular so singular verb should be used. Hence, option “B” is the correct answer.
29. The employees’ union offers (A)/ scholarship to children (B)/ who has stood first in the class
(C)/ No Error (D)
A. The employees’ union offers B. scholarship to children
C. who has stood first in the class D. no error
Ans: C
Solution: Option “C” is the correct answer. Use “have” in place of “has”. This is the case of
Relative Pronoun. In “Relative pronoun” verb agree to the antecedent. “Antecedent” is a
noun or pronoun which is used before Relative Pronoun. If antecedent is singular verb will be
singular. If antecedent is plural verb will be plural. In the given sentence antecedent is
“children” which is plural so plural verb should be used. Hence, option “C” is the correct
answer.

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30. The number of players of each team (A)/ were asked (B)/ to practise hard for the world
cup (C)/ No Error (D)
A. The number of players of each team
B. were asked
C. to practise hard for the world cup
D. No Error
Ans: B
Solution: Option “B” is the correct answer. Use “was” in place of “were”. See the usages of
“a number of … and the number of…”. If the subject is “the number of” it always takes plural
noun and singular verb. If the subject is “a number of “ it always takes plural noun and plural
verb. See the rules below.
[A number of + noun (plural) + verb (plural)]
[The number of + noun (plural) + verb (singular)]
E.g. A number of students have started studies.
The number of students has started studies.
E.g. The number of novels is readable
A number of novels are readable

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