Subject-Verb Agreement - Revision notes
Subject-Verb Agreement is one of the most tested grammar concepts in the UPCAT and other college entrance exams. This comprehensive guide covers all 29 rules of subject-verb agreement with clear explanations, examples, and exam strategies. Master these rules to confidently tackle any subject-verb agreement question on your entrance exam.
Basic Rules and Foundation
Formulas
Singular Subject + Verb with -s
Example
The student studies hard. / She writes poems well.
Variables
Subject = one person/thing; Verb = base form + s/es
Application
Used for all singular subjects including third person pronouns
Plural Subject + Base Form Verb
Example
The students study hard. / They write poems well.
Variables
Subject = more than one person/thing; Verb = base form without -s
Application
Used for all plural subjects and pronouns I, you, we, they
Exam tips
- Always locate the true subject first - ignore prepositional phrases and other distractors
- Use the simple table: Singular = with -s, Plural = without -s
- When in doubt, substitute 'he/she' for singular subjects and 'they' for plural subjects
Key points
- Singular subjects take singular verbs (with -s), plural subjects take plural verbs (without -s)
- The key is identifying whether the subject is singular or plural - once you know this, choosing the correct verb becomes automatic
- Remember: It's always the VERB that agrees with the SUBJECT, not the other way around
- Personal pronouns: he, she, it = singular (take -s verbs); I, you, we, they = plural (take base form verbs)
Definitions
Subject
The person, place, thing, or idea that performs the action in a sentence
Importance
Correctly identifying the subject is crucial for proper verb agreement
Verb Agreement
The grammatical rule that requires verbs to match their subjects in number (singular/plural)
Importance
Essential for grammatically correct sentences and high scores on entrance exams
Common mistakes
- Confusing the object of a preposition with the actual subject
- Forgetting that 'you' always takes a plural verb, even when referring to one person
- Mixing up which pronouns are singular vs plural
Compound Subjects and Connectors
Formulas
Subject 1 AND Subject 2 = Plural Verb
Example
Fruits and vegetables ARE important in our diet.
Variables
Any two subjects connected by 'and'
Application
Standard rule for compound subjects with 'and'
Subject 1 OR Subject 2 = Verb agrees with nearer subject
Example
Neither the teacher nor the students ARE ready. / Neither the students nor the teacher IS ready.
Variables
Subjects connected by or, nor, either...or, neither...nor
Application
Verb matches the subject closest to it
Exam tips
- For 'and' - always plural, for 'or/nor' - check the nearer subject
- Look for context clues to determine if compound subjects refer to one thing
- Pay attention to articles - 'A mother and wife' (one person) vs 'A mother and a wife' (two people)
Key points
- Subjects joined by 'and' are plural and take base form verbs
- Subjects joined by 'or', 'nor', 'either...or', 'neither...nor' follow the nearer subject rule
- Compound subjects referring to one person/thing are singular
- Compound subjects with 'each' and 'every' are always singular
Definitions
Compound Subject
Two or more subjects connected by conjunctions like 'and', 'or', or 'nor'
Importance
Different conjunctions require different verb agreement rules
Nearer Subject Rule
When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it
Importance
Critical for handling either/or and neither/nor constructions
Common mistakes
- Always making compound subjects plural, regardless of the connector
- Applying the 'and' rule to 'or' and 'nor' constructions
- Not recognizing when a compound subject refers to a single entity
Indefinite Pronouns and Special Cases
Formulas
Singular Indefinite Pronoun + Verb with -s
Example
Everyone HAS submitted their assignments. / Nothing IS impossible.
Variables
Pronouns like everyone, somebody, each, nothing
Application
These pronouns are always grammatically singular
All/Some/Most/None + of + Singular Noun = Singular Verb
Example
Some of the cake WAS eaten. / All of the money IS gone.
Variables
Variable pronouns with singular reference
Application
When referring to uncountable nouns or single items
All/Some/Most/None + of + Plural Noun = Plural Verb
Variables
Variable pronouns with plural reference
Application
Some of the students WERE absent. / All of the books ARE returned.
Exam tips
- Memorize the singular indefinite pronouns - they're frequently tested
- For variable pronouns, always check the 'of' phrase
- 'A number OF' = plural, 'THE number OF' = singular
Key points
- Singular indefinite pronouns: each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, someone, somebody, everything, nothing, anything, something (take -s verbs)
- Plural indefinite pronouns: both, several, few, many (take base form verbs)
- Variable pronouns: all, any, most, none, some (depend on the noun they refer to)
- The expression 'a number' is plural, 'the number' is singular
Definitions
Indefinite Pronoun
Pronouns that don't refer to specific people or things (someone, anything, few, etc.)
Importance
These have fixed singular or plural status regardless of meaning
Variable Pronoun
Pronouns whose number depends on what they refer to (all, some, most, none, any)
Importance
Require careful analysis of the 'of' phrase that follows
Common mistakes
- Thinking 'everyone' is plural because it means many people
- Confusing 'a number' with 'the number'
- Not checking what variable pronouns refer to
Intervening Elements and Sentence Structure
Formulas
Subject + Intervening Phrase + Verb = Verb agrees with original subject only
Example
The princess, along with 8 guards, HAS arrived. / The children, including the teacher, TRY to solve the problem.
Variables
Phrases like 'along with', 'as well as', 'including'
Application
Ignore the intervening phrase when determining verb agreement
There/Here + Verb + Subject = Verb agrees with the subject that follows
Example
There ARE three gifts for you. / Here COMES Patricia.
Variables
Inverted sentence structure
Application
Find the true subject after the verb
Exam tips
- Cross out intervening phrases to see the true subject-verb relationship
- In 'there/here' sentences, find what comes after the verb
- For collective nouns, ask: acting as one unit or as separate individuals?
Key points
- Subjects separated by phrases (with, along with, as well as, together with, including) don't change number
- The subject comes after the verb in sentences beginning with 'there' and 'here'
- Collective nouns can be singular (as a unit) or plural (as individuals)
- Expressions of time, money, and measurement are usually singular
Definitions
Intervening Element
Words or phrases that come between the subject and verb but don't affect agreement
Importance
Common source of confusion in subject-verb agreement questions
Collective Noun
Nouns representing groups (team, family, class, jury) that can act as one unit or as individuals
Importance
Context determines whether they're treated as singular or plural
Common mistakes
- Letting intervening phrases influence verb choice
- Not identifying the true subject in inverted sentences
- Always treating collective nouns as plural
Advanced Rules and Special Constructions
Formulas
Fraction + of + Singular Noun = Singular Verb
Example
Half of the cake HAS been eaten. / A quarter of the money IS missing.
Variables
Fractions with uncountable or singular reference
Application
When the 'of' phrase refers to a single item or mass noun
Fraction + of + Plural Noun = Plural Verb
Example
Half of the students ARE present. / A quarter of the books HAVE been returned.
Variables
Fractions with countable plural reference
Application
When the 'of' phrase refers to multiple items
Exam tips
- Memorize common 'looks plural, is singular' nouns
- Remember: 'a pair of scissors IS' but 'scissors ARE'
- Book titles and organization names are always singular
Key points
- Fractions take singular verbs with singular objects, plural verbs with plural objects
- Titles, countries, and organizations are always singular even if they look plural
- Some nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning (mathematics, news, physics)
- Some nouns are always plural (scissors, pants, thanks)
- Adjectives used as nouns with 'the' are plural (the rich, the poor)
Definitions
Plural Form, Singular Meaning
Nouns that end in -s but represent single concepts (mathematics, news, physics)
Importance
Always take singular verbs despite appearing plural
Always Plural Nouns
Nouns that exist only in plural form (scissors, pants, glasses)
Importance
Always take plural verbs, but singular when preceded by 'a pair of'
Common mistakes
- Treating 'mathematics' and 'news' as plural because they end in -s
- Using singular verbs with 'scissors' and 'pants'
- Not recognizing that titles are grammatically singular
Contractions and Demonstratives
Formulas
Singular Subject + doesn't
Example
She DOESN'T want to be alone. / The cat DOESN'T like water.
Variables
He, she, it, and singular nouns
Application
Negative contractions with singular subjects
Plural Subject + don't
Example
They DON'T need help. / The students DON'T understand.
Variables
I, you, we, they, and plural nouns
Application
Negative contractions with plural subjects
Exam tips
- If you can substitute 'he/she/it' use 'doesn't'; if 'they' use 'don't'
- This/That = IS/WAS, These/Those = ARE/WERE
- 'Many people ARE' but 'Much money IS'
Key points
- Use 'doesn't' with singular subjects and 'don't' with plural subjects
- 'This/that' requires singular verbs, 'these/those' requires plural verbs
- 'Many' is always plural, 'much' is always singular
- The impersonal pronoun 'it' at the beginning of sentences takes singular verbs
Definitions
Demonstrative Agreement
This/that (singular) and these/those (plural) must match their verb forms
Importance
Frequently tested in multiple choice questions
Common mistakes
- Using 'don't' with singular subjects like 'he don't'
- Mixing up this/these and that/those with verbs
- Forgetting that 'much' is always singular
Connections
- Subject-verb agreement connects to sentence structure and grammar fundamentals
- Understanding pronoun types helps with agreement rules
- This topic relates to reading comprehension - correct agreement aids understanding
- Connects to essay writing - proper agreement improves clarity and professionalism
- Links to other grammar topics like pronoun-antecedent agreement
- Foundation for understanding more complex sentence structures
Quick review questions
Either the boys or the girl ___ going to win the contest.
Answer
is
With 'either...or', the verb agrees with the nearer subject. 'Girl' is singular and closer to the verb, so we use 'is'.
Everyone in the class ___ submitted their assignment.
Answer
has
'Everyone' is a singular indefinite pronoun and always takes a singular verb with -s, so 'has' is correct.
There ___ three reasons why we should study hard.
Answer
are
In 'there' sentences, find the subject after the verb. 'Reasons' is plural, so the verb should be 'are'.
The team ___ practicing for their championship game.
Answer
is
The collective noun 'team' is acting as one unit here, so it takes the singular verb 'is'.
Mathematics ___ my favorite subject in school.
Answer
is
'Mathematics' is plural in form but singular in meaning, so it always takes a singular verb.
A number of students ___ absent today.
Answer
are
'A number of' is plural and takes a plural verb, while 'the number of' would be singular.
She ___ want to participate in the program.
Answer
doesn't
'She' is singular, so use 'doesn't'. Remember: singular subjects use 'doesn't', plural use 'don't'.
Half of the pie ___ been eaten by the children.
Answer
has
Fractions with singular objects take singular verbs. 'Pie' is singular, so use 'has'.
Diagrams
Subject-Verb Agreement Complete Overview
A comprehensive mind map showing all major subject-verb agreement rules and categories for quick reference and review.
Subject-Verb Agreement Decision Process
A step-by-step decision flowchart to determine the correct verb form for any subject-verb agreement situation.
Common UPCAT Question Patterns
Flowchart showing the most common subject-verb agreement question patterns in UPCAT with quick solution strategies.
Exam strategy
For UPCAT subject-verb agreement questions: 1) Identify the true subject by crossing out intervening phrases, 2) Determine if the subject is singular or plural, 3) Apply the basic rule: singular subjects take -s verbs, plural subjects take base form verbs, 4) Watch for tricky constructions like collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and inverted sentences, 5) When in doubt, substitute simple pronouns (he/she for singular, they for plural) to test the agreement. Practice with past UPCAT questions to familiarize yourself with common question patterns.