English plays very important role in our life. If you know to speak in English well, it’s not necessary that you are good at English grammar too. Many times English grammar creates confusion in your mind. That confusion becomes the reason for grammatical errors. If you want to create a good impression on others, you should be well versed with English grammar rules whether you are speaking or writing in English.
If you are appearing for any competitive exams or board exams, you should have grammar rules on your tips. Unfortunately many candidates or students lose their marks because of English grammar.
Do you find yourself confused about English Grammar rules? Do you do grammatical mistakes? Like
- He and I am watching this movie.
or
- He and I are watching this movie.
This post is about very important English grammar rules for subject-verb agreement. These rules are very useful to avoid the most common grammatical errors to get success in all competitive exams.
Rule.1
1. When two or more Singular subjects are connected by “and”, the verb will be in plural.
•He and I were going to the market.
•Sam, Raj and Ravi are going there.
Rule. 2
2. When two or more nouns make one unit, the verb must be singular.
•Rice and curry is my favourite food.
•Bread and butter is available today.
•Slow and steady wins the race.
Rule. 3
3. If you have Each, Everyone, Either, neither, Many a in a sentence, the verb will be in Singular number.
•Each girl was given a chance to speak.
•Everyone is invited today.
•Neither of the answers is right.
•Many a writer has come there.
Rule. 4
4. One of is always followed by plural noun but the verb is always singular.
•One of the children has performed well.
•One of my friends has got an award today.
Rule. 5
5. When two nouns are linked by either – or/ neither – nor, the verb agrees with the latter noun.
•Neither tea nor biscuits were available there.
•Neither biscuits nor tea was available there.
Rule. 6
6. Nouns connected by with, together with, and as well as, take the verb according to the former noun.
•He, as well as I is going to the market.
•The parents, as well as their child are very sincere.
•The teacher, with her students, is sitting quietly.
Rule. 7
7. When singular and plural subjects are connected by either-or/ neither- nor, plural subject is used later and verb will also be in plural.
•Either the teacher or his students are in the class room.
•Neither the captain nor the players are performing well.
Rule. 8
8. If subjects with different persons are joined by or, nor, either-or, neither-nor, verb is used according to the closest subject.
•Neither you nor your brother has got admission.
•My boss or I am to finish this project fast.
Rule. 9
9. If conditional sentence is in future then first part of the sentence will be in present indefinite and second part (principal clause) will be in future indefinite.
•If you work hard, you will get good marks.
•If it rains, I will not come tomorrow.
Rule. 10
10. Nouns connected by with, together with, and as well as, take the verb according to the former noun.
•He, as well as I is going to the market.
•The parents, as well as their child are very sincere.
•The teacher, with her students, is sitting quietly.
Rule. 11
14. When two works were done in the past, Past Perfect Tense is used for the work done earlier but Past Indefinite is used for the work done later.
•The teacher had started the lesson before I reached the school.
•Ramesh slept after his guests had gone.
Continue with more rules for Subject-Verb Agreement Part-2.
Click for Subject-Verb Agreement Part-2
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