GRAMMAR SUPPLEMENT: VA 2.

1
[Prepared by Captain AK Kalia]

Subject-Verb Agreement
Introduction 1. Subject-Verb Agreement: If the subject is singular, its verb should be singular; and if the subject is plural, its verb should be plural. Problems can arise when plural nouns intervene between a singular subject and its verb; or when the subject of a sentence is a long phrase or stands at some distance from its verb. This is a very common error that is tested in CAT. It is therefore important that you identify the subject correctly. These examples will illustrate the point. -A sterile range of mountains, broken at intervals by deep ravines, enclose (?) almost the whole of this small state. [...range (subject)... encloses (verb)...] -The result of all these lengthy legal actions, counterclaims, and appeals, stretching over several months, were (?) simply huge bills from the lawyers and nothing else. [...result (subject)...was (verb)...] -The smell of garlic and onions were (?) overpowering. [...smell (subject)...was (verb)...] -Everything except the flowers are (?) ready. [Everything (subject)...is (verb)...] -Not very far from the ancient Syrian oasis known for centuries as Tadmor stands (?) the imposing sandstone structures of the greatest Nabatean kingdom. [...stand (verb)...structures (subject)...] -Quite far to the left of the discredited and fading ideas of the Prime Ministers party appears (?) the fresh, new concepts of the young professional class. [...appear (verb)...concepts (subject)...] 2. Singular or Plural

a) Many a, more than one: These constructions are usually treated as singular.
-Many a good driver finds (find (?) ) skidding an alarming experience. -More than one accident here has (have (?) ) happened in the fog.

b) None: is considered singular or plural depending on the sense implied.

-[Singular] None (No one) but the brave deserves the fair. -[Plural] There are none (no people) so blind as those who will not see. -[Plural] I would like some eggs to eat, but there are none (not any) in the refrigerator. -[Singular or Plural] The seven boats set out a week ago, and so far none (not one/not any) of them has/have returned.

c) Majority, Minority: Each of these nouns has various subtly different senses. Depending on
which sense is used, the word will take a singular or plural verb. -[Singular] The governments majority when the House divided was 274. -[Plural] Only a minority of MPs return to their constituencies every weekend during the parliamentary session. -[Singular or Plural] Most of the MPs will endorse the Womens Reservation Bill, but a minority is/are likely to abstain. [is stresses the unity of the group in question; are stresses the individuality of the groups members.]

d) Collective/Group Nouns: In many contexts, a collective/group noun can take either a singular
or a plural verb depending on whether the group is treated as one collective entity or as a group of members. Either way, consistency is essential. -[Only Singular] The committee has (have (?) ) been disbanded. -[Only Plural] The team were (was (?) )now in the field and about to take their (its (?) )positions. -[Only Plural] The Cabinet have (has (?) )long been fighting among themselves (itself (?) ). -[Singular or Plural] The Board was/were united in its/their support of the Companys policies. -[Singular or Plural] The jury has/have retired to consider its/their verdict. -[Singular or Plural] Scotland has/have won the match.

e) Compound Nouns: When two nouns (even plural ones) go together to refer to a single person,
thing, or idea, a singular verb is needed. -Bacon and eggs is my favourite breakfast. -The rise and fall of tides is a phenomenon well known to mariners.

f) Notional Agreement: If the subjects are understood as (a period of) two weeks, (a distance of)
eight kilometres, and (the sum of) five dollars, then the singular verb in each case is in agreement with the notional subject. -Two weeks is a long time in politics. -Eight kilometres is too far for novice hikers. -Five dollars isnt enough for a square meal. g) Multiple Subjects: Two singular subjects joined by and form a plural. But this works only for and. Other words or phrases such as, along with, accompanied by, together with, as well as, and so on added to a singular subject do not make it plural. -John and his mother were there. -The king along with his whole family was slain John as well as Harry bears witness to it. h) Neithernor/Eitheror: If each of the two elements is in the singular (S), then the verb too should be in the singular. And of course, if each of the two subjects is itself in the plural (P), then it is correct to use a plural verb. If one subject is singular and the other plural, the overall sense is plural. *Problem arises when the first subject is plural and the second singular. -Neither the PM (S) nor his minister (S) is willing to take any responsibility for the fiasco. -Neither the PM (S) nor his ministers (P) are willing to take any responsibility for the fiasco. -Neither the boys (P) nor the girls (P) were willing to act in the play. *Neither the teachers (P) nor the principal (S) is/are (?) available for comment. [This can be resolved by providing each subject with a separate verb, which is in agreement with it] -Neither the teachers are nor the principal is available for comment. -Neither they are nor I am available for comment.

i) One of(Singular or Plural): Depending on the construction, a singular or a plural verb is used.
-One of the buses has (have (?) )broken down. -He is one of those people who never listen (listens (?) ) to reason. -That is one of the few regulations that really work (works (?) ). -That is the only one of all these plans that really works (work (?) ). j) Trousers, Pliers, Spectacles: Such nouns that are one unit but are formed by a pair of identical components take a plural verb. -The pliers you requested have (has (?) ) arrived from the warehouse. -My black trousers are (is (?) ) on the hanger. -Please pass me the scissors; they are (it is (?) ) on the table.

k) Ethics, Politics, Statistics: Such nouns that are plural in form generally take a singular verb; but can take a plural
verb when the sense implied is plural. -Politics is dirty business. [Politics as a field of activity is singular] -Their politics have degenerated to mere opportunism. [Politics as a persons or a groups political views/beliefs is plural] -Statistics is my favourite subject. [Statistics as a subject of study is singular] -Statistics show that most love marriages end up in divorce. [Statistics as a set of data is plural] l) X was or were Y: You often face a similar choice when a sentence has two noun phrases either of which could serve as subject or complement. In such cases, you should make the verb agree with the subject.

-Your best bet is (are (?) ) free tickets. or Free tickets are (is (?) ) your best bet. -Trains were (was (?) ) his obsession. or His obsession was (were (?) ) trains. m) There is or There are: In sentences beginning with there, the verb usually agrees with the following noun or pronoun. -There is nothing (are nothing (?) ) there but ruins. -There are so many things (is so many things (?) ) I have to do. n) Clauses as Subjects: Clauses can act as subjects of verbs and in such cases usually take a singular verb. -That such things should occur is (are (?) ) surprising. -To treat 18-year-olds as children is (are (?) ) patronizing. -Caring for all aspects of home and family takes (take (?) ) a lot of time. What-clauses are different, however. Here agreement depends on whether the clause refers to one or to several things. -[Singular] What was their garden is now a car park. -[Plural] What seemed good reasons at the time now look unconvincing. o) Indefinite and distributive pronouns are singular and take singular verbs. -Everybody knows (know (?) ) the earth is round. -Anyone who thinks (think (?) ) otherwise is daft. -Someone is (are (?) ) knocking at the door. -If anybody calls, tell him (them (?) ) I am not at home. -Nobody wants to be ill, does he (do they (?) )? -Would everybody please take all his (their (?) ) things with him (them (?) ).

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