Lesson 1 of 12 | English Comprehension / Subject and verb agreement / कर्ता और क्रिया का मेल
A singular subject takes a singular verb
Learning outcome
Find the grammatical subject and match the verb to it, not to a nearby noun.
Concepts and reasons
A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb. In "The list is long", the subject is list, which is singular, so the verb is is. In "The lists are long", lists is plural, so the verb is are.
Words such as each, every and everyone are singular. "Each of the answers is correct" uses is, because the subject is each, not answers.
Worked examples
Example 1. The report of the two officers is ready. The subject is report. Of the two officers only names what the report contains. The verb is is.
Example 2. Everyone in the front rows has a form. The subject is everyone. The verb is has.
Common traps
A plural noun placed just before the verb is often not the subject. Cross out the phrase that begins with of, and read the subject with the verb.
Practice questions
- Choose is or are: The bundle of papers _ on the desk.
- Choose has or have: Each of the candidates _ a ticket.
Answers and explanations
- Is. The subject is bundle.
- Has. The subject is each.
Analogy
The bouquet of roses is fresh.
Bouquet is the subject. Of roses does not become the subject. The verb stays singular: is.
Quick reference
- Singular subject, singular verb: the list is.
- Plural subject, plural verb: the lists are.
- Each, every and everyone take a singular verb.
- Ignore an of-phrase when you name the subject.