Page 17 - New Grammar with a Smile 4
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Let us study the rules of subject-verb agreement.
Ê A singular subject takes a singular verb Ê When the subject of a sentence is
and a plural subject takes a plural verb. composed of two or more nouns or
For example, pronouns, we use a plural verb. For
y A dog barks. (singular subject takes example,
a singular verb) y Pratima and Mahima are at the mall.
y Dogs bark. (plural subject takes a y The Principal and the teachers are
plural verb) in the staffroom.
Ê When two or more singular nouns or Ê When two or more nouns or pronouns
pronouns are joined by or, we use a are joined by or, the verb will agree
singular verb. For example, with the subject closer to the verb. For
y The man or his son is at home. example,
y The guide or the tourist goes first. y The man or his sons are at home.
y The tourists or the guide goes first.
Ê If a phrase comes between the subject Ê Words like each, either, neither,
and the verb, the verb agrees with the everyone, everybody, someone,
subject and not with the noun in the somebody, anyone and anybody take a
phrase. For example, singular verb. For example,
y The captain, as well as his y Everybody likes Kishore.
teammates, plays well. y Either is correct.
y Sohail, and not his friends, is to y Somebody is knocking at the door.
blame.
y Everyone is here.
Ê In sentences beginning with there is or Ê Collective nouns, such as family, team,
there are, the subject follows the verb, group, committee, if taken as a unit, are
so the subject agrees with the verb. For considered singular and take a singular
example, verb. For example,
y There are many boats in the river. y The team practises every day.
y There is a boat in the river. y My family is in Paris.
But, if collective nouns are taken to
mean a number of individuals, they take
a plural verb. For example,
y The team have got their T-shirts.
y My family have different views on
this issue.
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