🔑 Key Concept

Subject-verb agreement means that the verb must match the subject in number (singular or plural). For example:

• Correct: She runs every day.
• Incorrect: She run every day.

📚 Structured Breakdown

1. Singular vs. Plural Subjects

• A singular subject takes a singular verb.
  • Example: The cat jumps on the couch.
• A plural subject takes a plural verb.
  • Example: The cats jump on the couch.

2. Rules for Compound Subjects

• Subjects joined by and are usually plural.
  • Example: Tom and Jerry are friends.
• Subjects joined by or or nor agree with the closer subject.
  • Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are in the classroom.

3. Indefinite Pronouns

• Some pronouns are always singular, like each, everyone, nobody.
  • Example: Everyone is excited for the trip.
• Others are always plural, like both, few, many.
  • Example: Few have completed the assignment.
• Some pronouns depend on context, like all or none.
  • Example: All of the pie is gone. / All of the cookies are gone.

4. Collective Nouns

• Collective nouns like team, family, group are singular when acting as a unit.
  • Example: The team is winning the match.
• They can be plural when emphasizing individuals.
  • Example: The team are arguing among themselves.

5. Interrupting Phrases

• Ignore phrases between the subject and verb when deciding agreement.
  • Example: The bouquet of flowers is beautiful.

6. Inverted Sentences

• In questions or sentences starting with there or here, find the true subject.
  • Example: There is a book on the table.

🛑 Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

1. Mismatch with Singular/Plural
   • ❌ The list of items are on the desk.
   • ✅ The list of items is on the desk.
2. Confusion with Compound Subjects
   • ❌ Neither John nor his friends likes pizza.
   • ✅ Neither John nor his friends like pizza.
3. Overlooking Collective Nouns
   • ❌ The team are practicing for the final.
   • ✅ The team is practicing for the final.

🎯 Practice Time!

Choose the correct verb:

1. The dog or the cat (is/are) responsible for the mess.
2. Each of the students (has/have) a unique talent.
3. Here (is/are) the keys you were looking for.
4. The family (is/are) celebrating its reunion.
5. None of the water (is/are) clean enough to drink.

✅ Answers:

1. is
2. has
3. are
4. is
5. is