Rules for Subject Verb Agreement-Bank PO/SSC Exams

Many Bank PO and SSC aspirants, especially those who come from a Hindi medium background find it hard to understand the rules of grammar. This weakness blocks their way to succeed in the competitive exams like BANK PO/Clerk, SBI PO/ Clerk, SSC CGL/ CHSL etc.

It is no hidden proverb that if the base is weak the building is bound to collapse. Subject-Verb Agreement acts as a corner of the base of the Grammar. If a student fails to understand the basic rules he will surely get trapped in typical questions, however examples he may have memorized.

Here are some very basic but important rules pertaining to Subject-Verb Agreement, along with the examples:

Subject-Verb Agreement

1^st Rule

In a sentence, a verb should agree with the Number & Person of the Subject.

Example-

• Shweta goes to college. (Correct)
• They go to college. (Correct)
• My pets is eating. (Incorrect)
• My pets are eating. (Correct)

2^nd Rule

If the subject of the sentence is a singular noun then the verb must be singular.

Example-

• Shantanu is coming from the school. (Correct)
• Shantanu is thinking to buy a new Mobile. (Correct)

3^rd Rule

When two or more singular subjects are linked the verb must be plural.

Example-

• Nikunj and Zubair is thinking to buy a new Mobile. (Incorrect)
• Nikunj and Zubair are thinking to buy a new Mobile. (Correct)

4^th Rule

When two or more singular subjects are linked and is referring to the same(one) person, thing or idea then the verb will remain singular.

Example-

• The Head of Department and professor of Computer Science have gone to the convocation. (Incorrect)
• The Head of Department and professor of Computer Science has gone to the convocation. (Correct)
• Rice and Roti is very popular in India. (Incorrect)
• Rice and Roti are very popular in India. (Correct)

NOTE: Bread and butter, Rice and curry, Horse and carriage, Hammer and sickle, Crown and glory etc. when referring single unit then we should use Singular Verb but when they refer different units then we must use Plural Verb.

5^th Rule

When two or more singular subjects are linked and Each or Every comes before the subject/subjects then verb must be in Singular

Example-

• Each Teacher and each student are going to the tour this year. (Incorrect)
• Each Teacher and each student is going to the tour this year. (Correct)
• Each Teacher and student is going to the tour this year. (Correct)

6^th Rule

When two or more singular subjects are joined by Either…or, Neither…nor, or then verb remains Singular.

Example-

• Either Tikshita or his friend are spreading this rumor. (Incorrect)
• Either Tikshita or his friend is spreading this rumor. (Correct)
• Neither Tikshita nor his friend have the courage to stand against this unjust. (Incorrect)
• Neither Tikshita nor his friend has the courage to stand against this unjust. (Correct)

7^th Rule

When two or more subjects are joined by as well as, besides, like, unlike, with, along with, in addition to, rather than, together with, accompanied by, led by, headed by, guided by, controlled by, governed by then the verb must be according to the first Subject.

Example-

• Gaurav along with his friends are protesting against new Policy. (Incorrect)
• Gaurav along with his friends is protesting against new Policy. (Correct)
• My friends and my brother has some misunderstanding towards me. (Incorrect)
• My friends and my brother have some misunderstanding towards me. (Correct)

10^th Rule

We must use a Singular verb with Each, Every, Either, Neither, everyone, many a, someone, none, one, any, nobody, somebody.

Example-

• Either of these pens are used to write this letter. (Incorrect)
• Either of these pens is used to write this letter. (Correct)
• Many a man have supported this plan. (Incorrect)
• Many a man has supported this plan. (Correct)

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By Asad yar Khan

Asad Yar Khan is Former Chairman of AMC, an educational NGO. A passionate proponent of education development, his favour...more

Asad Yar Khan is Former Chairman of AMC, an educational NGO. A passionate proponent of education development, his favourite rendezvous for writing is EduGorilla.com. less