🤝 Subject Verb Agreement
Fundamental rules for matching subjects and verbs.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement is a fundamental grammar rule that states the verb in a sentence must match (or "agree with") its subject in number (singular or plural). This means a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
The subject of a sentence is the person, thing, or idea that the sentence is about — the entity performing the action or being described. Correctly identifying the subject is the first step to ensuring proper agreement.
Examples:
- The two RBI branches are well-staffed.
- Here, the subject is "The two RBI branches", which is plural. Therefore, the plural verb "are" is used.
- She is preparing hard for the NABARD exam.
- Here, the subject is "She", which is singular. Therefore, the singular verb "is" is used.
- Just near the market are there two cooperative banks.
- This is an example of an inverted sentence where the verb appears before the subject. The subject is still "two cooperative banks" (plural), so the verb is "are".
Verb Subject Mapping
Different subjects require different verb forms. This table provides a quick reference for which verbs pair with which pronouns and nouns:
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Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement is a fundamental grammar rule that states the verb in a sentence must match (or "agree with") its subject in number (singular or plural). This means a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
The subject of a sentence is the person, thing, or idea that the sentence is about — the entity performing the action or being described. Correctly identifying the subject is the first step to ensuring proper agreement.
Examples:
- The two RBI branches are well-staffed.
- Here, the subject is "The two RBI branches", which is plural. Therefore, the plural verb "are" is used.
- She is preparing hard for the NABARD exam.
- Here, the subject is "She", which is singular. Therefore, the singular verb "is" is used.
- Just near the market are there two cooperative banks.
- This is an example of an inverted sentence where the verb appears before the subject. The subject is still "two cooperative banks" (plural), so the verb is "are".
Verb Subject Mapping
Different subjects require different verb forms. This table provides a quick reference for which verbs pair with which pronouns and nouns:
| Subject | Verb Forms |
|---|---|
| I | am, was, (base verb), have |
| You | are, were, , have |
| He / She / It / Singular Nouns (e.g., Priya) | has, is, was, + s/es |
| They / Plural Nouns (e.g., Officers) | were, are, , have |
Key Takeaway: The past tense form (e.g., walked, cleared), had, and modal verbs like will/shall can be used with all subjects without change. They do not require agreement adjustments.
Concept-1: Subjects Connected by 'and'
When two or more subjects are joined by the conjunction "and", they typically form a compound subject, which is treated as plural.
General Rule: Two subjects connected by [and] → use a Plural Verb.
The Core Logic: Mathematical Addition
Think of "and" as a plus sign (+) in grammar. It combines subjects:
- Ravi + Meena = 2 people → Plural verb
- Dal + Roti = 2 items → Plural verb
The conjunction "and" is a coordinating conjunction — it gives equal weight to both subjects and fuses them into a single, collective grammatical unit.
Examples
- Ravi and Meena are top scorers in the mock test.
- Two people (Ravi, Meena) = Plural → are.
- Dal and rice are served at the government canteen.
- Two items (dal, rice) = Plural → are.
Exception: Pointing to One Thing (Pair Words)
However, when two nouns connected by "and" refer to a single idea, concept, or entity (often appearing together as a set), they are treated as a singular subject.
Exception Rule: When two subjects connected by 'and' point to one thing → use a Singular Verb.
Why This Exception Exists
Some combinations have become so inseparable in usage that they function as one unit:
| Phrase | Represents | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Dal and roti | One meal | is |
| Bow and arrow | One weapon/set | is |
| Bread and butter | One snack item | is |
| Time and tide | One philosophical concept | waits |
Pro-tip: Ask yourself: "Am I talking about two separate things, or one combined thing?" If you can replace the phrase with a single word (like "it"), use a singular verb.
Examples
- Dal and roti is a simple and wholesome meal.
- "Dal and roti" is considered one dish/meal, hence singular verb is.
- Bow and arrow is the traditional weapon of many tribal communities.
- "Bow and arrow" is a single unit/set.
- Bread and butter is her morning staple.
- "Bread and butter" is treated as one item (a snack/combo).
- Time and tide waits for none.
- "Time and tide" is a well-known phrase acting as a single concept.
Article Rule (One vs Two People)
A subtle but important distinction arises when articles (a, an, the) or possessives (my, his) are used. Whether the article is repeated before the second noun determines if you're referring to one person or two.
The Logic: Repeated Article = Separate Entities
| Structure | Meaning | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| My friend and guide | Same person (one article) | Singular |
| The manager and the clerk | Two people (article repeated) | Plural |
Examples
- My friend and mentor has arrived from Hyderabad.
- Here, "my" is not repeated before "mentor". This implies the same person is both my friend AND my mentor. Therefore, it's a singular subject → has.
- The branch manager and the loan officer have reviewed the file.
- Here, the article "the" is repeated before "loan officer". This indicates they are two separate individuals. Therefore, it's a plural subject → have.
- The landlord and tenant have signed the agreement.
- By context, "landlord" and "tenant" are distinct roles, implying two people → have.
- The collector and magistrate have arrived.
- Like landlord and tenant, these are distinct roles representing two people → have.
Concept-2: Nearest Subject Rule
Certain correlative conjunctions (used in pairs) follow a special agreement rule where the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Connectors that follow this rule:
- Either ... or
- Neither ... nor
- Not only ... but also
Rule: The verb agrees with the Nearest Subject (the subject appearing immediately before the verb).
The Core Logic: Choice and Exclusion
Why does the verb agree with the nearest subject? The answer lies in what these conjunctions actually mean:
- Either...or presents a choice between two options — only ONE will apply.
- Neither...nor excludes both options, but grammatically treats them as alternatives.
- Not only...but also emphasizes the second item.
In all cases, the sentence is ultimately about one subject at a time, not both together. English grammar simplifies this by making the verb agree with the subject that is closest in position — the one the reader/listener encounters just before the verb.
A Visual Breakdown
| Component | Sentence Part | Role |
|---|---|---|
| First Subject | Anjali | One of the alternatives (Singular). |
| Connector | or | Creates a choice between subjects. |
| Second Subject | her colleagues | The other alternative (Plural) — nearest to verb. |
| The Verb | are | Matches the nearest subject (her colleagues). |
Why Not Average Them?
You might wonder: why not just use "are" because there are multiple people mentioned?
The key is that or/nor connectors don't add subjects together — they present alternatives. The sentence "Either Anjali or her colleagues are going" is logically saying: "One of these options is going." Since "her colleagues" is the last checkpoint before the verb, it determines the verb form.
Pro-tip: When writing such sentences, place the plural subject nearer to the verb if possible. This sounds more natural:
- "Either her colleagues or Anjali is going." (Awkward)
- "Either Anjali or her colleagues are going." (Natural)
Examples
- Either the clerk or his supervisors are responsible for the error.
- The nearest subject to the verb is "his supervisors" (Plural) → are.
- Not only Kavya but also Rekha is preparing for the FCI exam.
- The nearest subject to the verb is "Rekha" (Singular) → is.
- Neither the farmers nor the collector was present at the meeting.
- Nearest subject: "the collector" (Singular) → was.
Concept-3: First Subject Rule
Another group of connectors has the opposite effect: the verb agrees with the first subject in the sentence, ignoring what comes after the connector.
Connectors that follow this rule:
- as well as
- along with
- together with
- in addition to
- with
- apart from
- besides
Rule: The verb agrees with the First Subject only.
The Core Logic: Main Clause vs. Parenthetical
The "First Subject Rule" can feel counterintuitive because, logically, we know there is more than one person involved. However, the logic lies in grammatical hierarchy — specifically, how we distinguish between the "star" of the sentence and the "supporting cast."
In English grammar, phrases starting with as well as, along with, together with, or in addition to are considered parenthetical.
Think of these phrases as "bonus information" contained within invisible brackets. They add details, but they do not change the grammatical number of the sentence's true subject.
A Visual Breakdown
If we look at the structure, the sentence is built to prioritize the first noun.
| Component | Sentence Part | Role |
|---|---|---|
| First Subject | The RBI Governor | The primary actor (Singular). |
| Connector | as well as | Acts as a prepositional bridge, not a mathematical plus sign. |
| Second Subject | the deputy governors | Secondary info (doesn't affect the verb). |
| The Verb | is | Must match the primary actor (The RBI Governor). |
Why "As Well As" is NOT "And"
The confusion usually stems from treating "as well as" like the word and.
-
The "And" Logic (Addition): "The RBI Governor and the deputy governors are attending."
- Logic: "And" is a coordinating conjunction that fuses two subjects into one plural unit.
-
The "As Well As" Logic (Focus): "The RBI Governor (as well as the deputy governors) is attending."
- Logic: The sentence is primarily about the Governor. The deputy governors are just "along for the ride" in the sentence structure.
Pro-tip: To test if your verb is correct, try mentally crossing out the entire phrase starting with "as well as." If the sentence still makes sense, you've applied the rule correctly.
- The RBI Governor
as well as the deputy governorsis attending. ✓ (Correct)- The RBI Governor
as well as the deputy governorsare attending. ✗ (Incorrect)
Examples
- The NABARD officer as well as her team is visiting the drought-affected villages.
- First subject: "The NABARD officer" (Singular) → is. The phrase "as well as her team" provides extra info but doesn't affect the verb.
- The farmer along with his sons is cultivating the new crop.
- First subject: "The farmer" (Singular) → is.
- The principal together with the teachers is addressing the parents.
- First subject: "The principal" (Singular) → is.
Concept-4: Singular Indefinite Pronouns
Certain indefinite pronouns are always treated as singular, regardless of the noun that follows them.
Keywords (Always Singular):
- Each (प्रत्येक)
- Every (हर एक)
- Either (दो में से कोई एक — when used alone, meaning "one or the other")
- Neither (दो में से कोई भी नहीं — when used alone, meaning "not one or the other")
Rule: These pronouns are inherently Singular → they always take a Singular Verb.
The Core Logic: Individual Focus
Why are these words always singular? Because they inherently focus on one individual at a time, even when referring to a group.
| Word | Mental Picture | Why Singular |
|---|---|---|
| Each | One candidate, then another, then another... | Considers members one by one |
| Every | Every single one (individually) | Emphasizes each individual in a group |
| Either | This one OR that one | Only one of two options |
| Neither | Not this one, not that one | Rejects both, but considers them separately |
Key Insight: Even though "each of the applicants" mentions "applicants" (plural), the subject is "Each" — which zooms in on one applicant at a time. The plural noun after "of the" is just the pool from which we're selecting.
Basic Usage
- Each applicant of mine is well-prepared.
- "Each" is used as an adjective modifying "applicant". The subject is effectively "Each applicant" (Singular) → is.
- Each of the applicants is well-prepared.
- "Each" is used as a pronoun here (followed by "of the..."). Even though "applicants" is plural, the true subject is "Each" (Singular) → is.
- Either of the schemes is beneficial for farmers.
- "Either" implies "one or the other" (Singular) → is.
- Neither scheme is fully funded yet.
- "Neither scheme" implies "not this one, not that one" from a pair (Singular) → is.
Grammar Breakdown (Each vs Every)
Understanding the grammatical function of these words helps avoid errors:
- Each can function as both a Pronoun (standing alone) and an Adjective (modifying a noun).
- Pronoun: Each of the candidates is... ✓
- Adjective: Each candidate is... ✓
- Every can only function as an Adjective. It cannot be used as a pronoun.
- Adjective: Every candidate is... ✓
- Pronoun:
Every of the candidates is...✗ (Incorrect!)
Pro-tip: When you see "each/every/either/neither," immediately think: "This is about ONE." Then use a singular verb.
Concept-5: Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that) are used to introduce clauses that provide more information about a noun. The verb in this relative clause must agree with its antecedent — the noun the pronoun refers back to.
Rule: The verb depends on the Antecedent (the noun/pronoun placed immediately before the relative pronoun).
The Core Logic: Pronoun Inheritance
Think of relative pronouns as stand-ins for a noun. Just like an understudy must play the role exactly as written, the relative pronoun "inherits" the number (singular/plural) from its antecedent.
| Relative Pronoun | Refers To | Verb Matches |
|---|---|---|
| who | The noun it replaces | That noun's number |
| which | The noun it replaces | That noun's number |
| that | The noun it replaces | That noun's number |
Key Insight: To find the correct verb, locate the antecedent (the noun the pronoun replaces), then match the verb to that noun.
General Rule (Plural Antecedent)
When the antecedent is plural, the verb in the relative clause should also be plural.
Structure: One of the + Plural Noun + who/that + Plural Verb
- She is one of the officers who are working on rural outreach.
- The relative pronoun "who" refers back to "officers" (Plural) → are.
- Rajan is one of the candidates who have cleared the written test.
- Antecedent: "candidates" (Plural) → have.
Exception: "Only One"
When the word "only" is placed before "one," it shifts the focus to the single individual, making the antecedent effectively singular.
Structure: Only one of the + Plural Noun + who/that + Singular Verb
- She is only one of the officers who is working on rural outreach.
- The word "only" emphasizes "She" as the specific, singular person. Therefore, the verb is is (Singular).
Why "Only" Changes Everything
Without "only": The sentence is about the officers (as a group) → plural verb. With "only": The sentence shifts focus to that one specific person → singular verb.
Pro-tip: "Only one" acts like a spotlight — it singles out one person from the group, making them the grammatical focus.
Simple "One of" (No Relative Pronoun)
When there is no relative clause following "one of," the subject of the main verb is simply "One" (Singular).
Structure: One of the + Plural Noun + Singular Verb
- One of my goals is to clear the IBPS PO exam.
- Subject: "One" (Singular) → is.
- One of the selected candidates is from Bihar.
- Subject: "One" (Singular) → is.
Concept-6: "Number of" Rules
The phrases "A number of" and "The number of" look similar but have different meanings and require different verbs.
| Phrase | Meaning | Verb Type |
|---|---|---|
| A number of | "Many" / "Several" | Plural Verb |
| The number of | Specific count/digit | Singular Verb |
The Core Logic: What's the Real Subject?
The difference lies in what the phrase refers to:
- "A number of" = The focus is on the people/things themselves (the noun after "of"). You're talking about "many people."
- "The number of" = The focus is on the count/digit itself. You're talking about a single numerical value.
| Phrase | Real Subject | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A number of applicants | The applicants (many) | are |
| The number of applicants | The number (one value) | is |
Pro-tip: Replace the phrase mentally:
- "A number of" → "Many" → Plural
- "The number of" → "The count" → Singular
Examples
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| A large number of farmers are protesting. | "A number of" = Many → are |
| A number of IBPS candidates are waiting. | Same rule → are |
| The number of FCI vacancies this year is eight hundred. | Specific count → is |
Concept-7: "Many a" / "More than one"
These phrases, despite implying plurality in meaning, are grammatically treated as singular.
Rules:
| Phrase | Structure | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Many a | + Singular Noun | Singular |
| More than one | + Singular Noun | Singular |
| Many / A great many | + Plural Noun | Plural |
The Core Logic: Grammar Follows Form, Not Meaning
This is one of the most counterintuitive rules in English grammar. Here's why it exists:
"Many a" literally means "many," but it's followed by a singular noun (aspirant, not aspirants). English verbs agree with the grammatical form of the subject, not its logical meaning.
| Phrase | Logical Meaning | Grammatical Form | Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Many a farmer | Many farmers | "farmer" is singular | works |
| More than one candidate | Multiple candidates | "candidate" is singular | has |
| Many candidates | Many candidates | "candidates" is plural | have |
Key Insight: Think of "Many a" as "Each of many" — it discusses multiple individuals, but one at a time grammatically.
Pro-tip: If the noun right after the phrase is singular (farmer, officer, student), use a singular verb. If it's plural (farmers, officers, students), use a plural verb.
Examples
- Many a farmer works through the scorching summer to feed the nation.
- "Many a + Singular Noun" → Singular Verb works.
- More than one candidate has cleared the NABARD interview this year.
- "More than one + Singular Noun" → Singular Verb has.
- A great many aspirants are registered for the RRB exam.
- "A great many + Plural Noun" → Plural Verb are.
- Many people are unaware of the PM-KISAN scheme.
- "Many + Plural Noun" → Plural Verb are.
Concept-8: Fractions and Percentages
When a fraction or percentage is the subject, the verb agrees with the noun in the "of" phrase (the "whole" being referred to), not the fraction itself.
Rule: Verb depends on the Noun ("Whole") it refers to.
Structure: Fraction/Percentage + of + Noun → Verb matches Noun.
The Core Logic: What Are You Describing?
Fractions and percentages are descriptors, not actual subjects. They describe a portion of something else. The real question is: what is that something?
| Expression | What's Being Described | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| One-third of farmers | Farmers (plural) | are |
| One-third of the crop | Crop (singular) | is |
| 60% of applicants | Applicants (plural) | have |
| 60% of the budget | Budget (singular) | has |
Key Insight: The fraction/percentage is just a "measuring tool." It doesn't change the nature of what's being measured. "One-third of the farmers" is still about farmers (plural).
Pro-tip: Cover the fraction/percentage and look only at what comes after "of." That noun determines your verb.
Examples
- One-third of beneficiaries are yet to receive their subsidy.
- The noun "beneficiaries" is Plural → are.
- Two-thirds of the district is under irrigation now.
- The noun "district" is Singular → is.
- Fifty percent of the allocated funds have been disbursed.
- "funds" is Plural → have.
- Fifty percent of the total budget has been spent.
- "budget" is Singular → has.
Concept-9: Collective Nouns
A collective noun is a word that represents a group of individuals (e.g., team, committee, jury, panel, staff, family). The verb choice depends on whether the group is acting as a unified whole or as separate individuals.
Rule:
- Unified (Single Unit) — The group acts together with one purpose → Singular Verb.
- Divided (Individual Members/Disagreement) — Members act individually or are in conflict → Plural Verb.
The Core Logic: One Mind or Many Minds?
The key question is: Is the group acting with one shared purpose, or are members acting individually?
| Scenario | Verb | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The committee is finalising the policy | Singular | They share a common goal — working together |
| The committee are divided in their views | Plural | Members disagree — they hold different opinions |
| The panel is reviewing the applications | Singular | Everyone is doing the same thing |
| The panel are leaving at different times | Plural | People leaving individually |
Key Insight: Look for clue words that reveal unity or division:
- Unity clues: "unanimous," "together," "as one"
- Division clues: "among themselves," "different," "divided," "various"
Examples (Committee)
- The committee is drafting the final report.
- The committee is working together as one unit → is.
- The committee are arguing among themselves over the new rule.
- The committee members are in conflict/disagreement (divided) → are.
Examples (Panel & Staff)
- The panel are taking their seats one by one.
- Each panel member is individually sitting — separate actions → are.
- The panel is evaluating the same set of documents.
- The panel is collectively doing one thing (evaluating) → is.
- The staff is preparing for the annual audit.
- The staff is acting in unison → is.
Can Also Apply to "Jury"
- The jury is unanimous in its verdict.
- The jury has reached a united decision → is.
- The jury are divided in their opinions on the evidence.
- The jury members hold different views → are.
Pro-tip: If you can imagine the members doing different things (holding different opinions, leaving at different times), use plural. If they're acting as one (reviewing together, reaching one verdict), use singular.
Concept-10: Identifying the Real Subject
Sometimes a prepositional phrase (like of the..., for the..., in the...) appears between the subject and the verb, potentially creating confusion. The verb must agree with the true grammatical subject, not the nearest noun in the phrase.
Rule: The verb matches the Main Subject, not the nearest noun in a prepositional phrase.
Structure: Subject + of/for/in + Other Noun → Verb matches Subject.
The Core Logic: Don't Be Distracted!
Prepositional phrases are grammatical distractions. They add information but never change the subject. Think of them as parenthetical asides — extra details that don't affect the main sentence structure.
| Phrase | True Subject | Distractor | Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awareness of these schemes | Awareness (singular) | schemes (plural) | is |
| The quality of the crops | quality (singular) | crops (plural) | is |
| The officers in the district | officers (plural) | district (singular) | are |
Pro-tip: Mentally cross out everything between the subject and verb. What remains should match:
- "Awareness
of these schemesis necessary." ✓
Examples
- Awareness of these government schemes is necessary for farmers.
- The main subject is "Awareness" (Singular), not "schemes". → is.
- That the IBPS exam is competitive is well-known.
- The entire clause "That the IBPS exam is competitive" acts as the subject (Noun Clause = Singular) → is.
- Clearing the NABARD exam in one attempt is a great achievement.
- The gerund "Clearing" is the subject. Gerunds are always singular → is.
Special Cases: Noun Clauses and Gerunds
| Subject Type | Example | Always |
|---|---|---|
| Gerunds (verb + -ing as noun) | Studying, Farming, Banking | Singular |
| Noun Clauses (That + clause) | That she cleared the exam | Singular |
| Infinitives (To + verb) | To err is human | Singular |
Key Insight: Gerunds, noun clauses, and infinitives acting as subjects are always treated as singular units, regardless of what they describe.
Concept-11: Units of Measurement
When units of measurement (weight, height, distance, speed, time, money) are the subject, the verb depends on whether the quantity is considered a single block or divided parts.
Keywords: Weight, Height, Distance, Speed, Sum (Money), Time
The Core Logic: Whole vs. Parts
The key question: Are you treating the quantity as ONE thing or as MULTIPLE parts?
| Scenario | How It's Viewed | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| "Fifty kilograms is the maximum load" | One measurement | Singular |
| "Fifty rupees are spent on tea and snacks" | Money divided among items | Plural |
| "Ten kilometres is the distance to the mandi" | One fixed value | Singular |
| "Ten kilometres are covered partly on foot and partly by cycle" | Distance covered in parts | Plural |
Key Insight: When the quantity is described as a single fact (stating weight, distance, price), use singular. When the quantity is divided into parts (spent on multiple items, covered in different ways), use plural.
Rule A: Unified (One Unit/Amount)
When the measurement is thought of as a fixed, single quantity → use a Singular Verb.
- Fifty kilograms is the maximum load a porter carries.
- The weight is stated as one total amount → is.
- Ten kilometres is the distance from the village to the nearest bank.
- The distance is one fixed value → is.
Rule B: Divided / Broken Components
When the measurement is broken down into parts or spent/covered in different ways → use a Plural Verb.
- Fifty rupees are spent on notebooks and pens for the exam.
- The money was divided among multiple items → are.
- Ten kilometres are covered partly on foot and partly by bicycle.
- The distance was covered in parts → are.
Pro-tip: Look for words like "spent," "divided," "covered in parts," or "distributed" — they signal that the quantity is being broken up, requiring a plural verb.
Master Summary Tables
These tables provide a quick-reference guide for all the rules covered in this lesson.
1. Connectors & Subject Agreement
| # | Connectors | Singular | Plural | Nearest Subject (N.S) | First Subject (F.S) | Exception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | And | (One Unit) | ||||
| 2) | OR (Either...or, Neither...nor, Not only...but also) | |||||
| 3) | as well as (with, besides, together with) | |||||
| 4) | Each / Either / Every / Neither |
2. Quantifiers & Relative Pronouns
| Concept | Singular | Plural | Nearest Subject (N.S) | First Subject (F.S) | Exception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| who/whom/which/that (One of the) | (Only one of) | ||||
| A large number of / A number of | |||||
| The number of | |||||
| Many a / More than one | |||||
| Many / A great many | |||||
| Fraction / Percentage | (Whole) |
3. Collective Nouns & Units
| Concept | Singular (Unified/One) | Plural (Different/Divided) |
|---|---|---|
| Collective Noun | (Same) | (Different) |
| Units (Amount, Weight, Height, Distance, Time) | (One) | (divide) |
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Concept / Topic | Key Details / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Core Rule | Singular subject → singular verb; Plural subject → plural verb |
| And → Plural | Ravi and Meena are top scorers (two subjects = plural) |
| And → Singular (one unit) | "Dal and roti is a wholesome meal" — inseparable pairs act as one thing |
| Article trick | Repeated article = two people ("The manager and the clerk have"); one article = one person ("My friend and guide has") |
| Either...or / Neither...nor / Not only...but also | Nearest Subject Rule — verb agrees with the subject CLOSEST to it |
| As well as / Along with / Together with / Besides / Apart from | First Subject Rule — verb agrees with the FIRST subject only (second is parenthetical) |
| Each / Every / Either / Neither | Always singular — they focus on one individual at a time |
| Every | Only adjective, cannot be pronoun: "Every candidate is..." ✓; "Every of the candidates" ✗ |
| Relative pronouns (who/which/that) | Verb agrees with the antecedent (noun before the pronoun) |
| One of the + plural noun + who | Verb in relative clause is plural: "She is one of the officers who are working" |
| Only one of the + plural noun + who | "Only" shifts focus → verb is singular: "She is only one who is working" |
| A number of | = "many" → plural verb: "A number of farmers are waiting" |
| The number of | = specific count → singular verb: "The number of vacancies is three hundred" |
| Many a + singular noun | Singular verb: "Many a farmer works tirelessly" |
| More than one + singular noun | Singular verb: "More than one candidate has qualified" |
| Many / A great many + plural noun | Plural verb: "Many aspirants are preparing" |
| Fractions and percentages | Verb agrees with the noun after "of": "One-third of farmers are..."; "One-third of the crop is..." |
| Collective nouns — unified | Acting as one unit → singular: "The committee is finalising the report"; "The jury is unanimous" |
| Collective nouns — divided | Acting individually → plural: "The committee are arguing among themselves" |
| Prepositional phrase distractor | Ignore phrase between subject and verb: "Awareness of these schemes is necessary" |
| Gerund / Noun clause / Infinitive as subject | Always singular: "Farming is a noble profession"; "That she cleared the exam is commendable"; "To serve is noble" |
| Units — single total | One amount stated as a fact → singular: "Fifty kilograms is the load limit" |
| Units — divided parts | Amount split across items → plural: "Fifty rupees are spent on tea and snacks" |
Top 10 SVA Traps in Banking Exams
These exact patterns appear in IBPS/SBI error detection every year. Memorise them.
| # | Trap Sentence (WRONG ✗) | Corrected (RIGHT ✓) | Rule Being Tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The manager along with his staff were present" | "...along with his staff was present" | Along with = first subject rule (manager = singular) |
| 2 | "A number of candidates has applied" | "A number of candidates have applied" | "A number of" = many = plural |
| 3 | "The number of vacancies are 300" | "The number of vacancies is 300" | "The number of" = specific count = singular |
| 4 | "Either the officers or the manager have signed" | "...or the manager has signed" | Nearest subject rule (manager = singular) |
| 5 | "Each of the branches have ATMs" | "Each of the branches has ATMs" | Each = always singular |
| 6 | "Bread and butter are his breakfast" | "Bread and butter is his breakfast" | Inseparable pair = one unit = singular |
| 7 | "Many a farmer have benefited from PM-KISAN" | "Many a farmer has benefited" | Many a + singular noun = singular verb |
| 8 | "One-third of the crop are damaged" | "One-third of the crop is damaged" | Fraction — verb agrees with "crop" (singular) |
| 9 | "The committee are unanimous in its decision" | "The committee is unanimous" | Collective noun acting as one = singular |
| 10 | "The quality of mangoes have declined" | "The quality....has declined" | Prepositional phrase distractor — subject is "quality" (singular) |
Speed trick for error detection: In SVA questions, first find the real subject (ignore prepositional phrases, parenthetical clauses). Then check if the verb matches. 80% of SVA errors are distractor phrases between subject and verb.
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