What is SVA? 15 Rules Tricky Cases Tips & Mistakes Exercises
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S V A
Class 7 · English Grammar
16

Subject-Verb Agreement

Master the golden rule of grammar — the subject and verb must always agree! Learn 15 essential rules with fun examples.

She
plays
✓
📝 Section 1: What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Welcome, grammar champion! Every sentence has two key players — the subject (who or what the sentence is about) and the verb (the action or state). For a sentence to be correct, the subject and verb must agree in number. This means:

🔵 Singular Subject

Takes a singular verb

  • The cat sits on the mat.
  • She reads every day.
  • My brother plays cricket.

🟢 Plural Subject

Takes a plural verb

  • The cats sit on the mat.
  • They read every day.
  • My brothers play cricket.

See Agreement in Action!

He (singular)
⟶
plays (singular)
✓ They agree! Correct!
They (plural)
⟶
play (plural)
✓ They agree! Correct!
He (singular)
⟶
play (plural)
✗ Mismatch! Incorrect!

💡 Did You Know?

In English, singular verbs often end in -s (he runs, she writes), but plural verbs do not (they run, they write). This is the opposite of nouns, where plural nouns end in -s! Tricky, right?

💡

The Golden Rule

A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb. If you remember just this one rule, you are already halfway there!

📜 Section 2: 15 Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

Here are the 15 most important rules you need to know. Each rule comes with clear examples to help you remember!

1 A singular subject takes a singular verb.

When the subject is one person, thing, or idea, the verb must also be singular (usually ends in -s / -es).

  • He plays football every evening.
  • The dog barks at strangers.
  • My mother cooks delicious food.
  • This book belongs to the library.
2 A plural subject takes a plural verb.

When the subject is more than one, the verb takes the base form (no -s).

  • They play football every evening.
  • The dogs bark at strangers.
  • My parents cook delicious food.
  • These books belong to the library.
3 Two subjects joined by "and" take a plural verb.

When two or more subjects are connected by and, they form a compound subject and take a plural verb.

  • Ram and Shyam are friends.
  • The teacher and the student were talking.
  • Bread and butter are kept on the table.
  • My father and mother work hard.
4 Subjects joined by "or/nor" — verb agrees with the nearest subject.

When subjects are connected by or, nor, either...or, or neither...nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

  • Neither he nor they are coming. (nearest: they = plural)
  • Neither the boys nor the girl was present. (nearest: girl = singular)
  • Either Rahul or his brothers have taken the keys. (nearest: brothers = plural)
  • Neither the students nor the teacher has arrived. (nearest: teacher = singular)
5 "Either" or "Neither" alone takes a singular verb.

When either or neither is used as a pronoun (without or/nor), it is always singular.

  • Either is fine with me.
  • Neither was suitable for the job.
  • Either of the two plans works well.
6 "Each, Every, Everyone, Everybody" take a singular verb.

Distributive words like each, every, everyone, everybody, everything, anyone, nobody, someone are always singular.

  • Each student has a book.
  • Every child loves chocolate.
  • Everyone is welcome here.
  • Nobody knows the answer.
7 Collective nouns usually take a singular verb.

Nouns like team, family, class, committee, army, crowd refer to a group as one unit, so they take a singular verb.

  • The team is ready for the match.
  • Our class has 40 students.
  • The committee has taken a decision.
  • The army marches forward bravely.
8 Uncountable nouns take a singular verb.

Nouns that cannot be counted (like water, milk, information, furniture, advice) are always singular.

  • Water is essential for life.
  • The information was very helpful.
  • Furniture is expensive these days.
  • His advice has helped me a lot.
9 Some nouns look plural but are actually singular.

These words end in -s but refer to a single subject, discipline, or concept.

  • The news is very exciting today.
  • Physics is my favourite subject.
  • Mathematics requires a lot of practice.
  • Economics deals with money and trade.
10 Some nouns look singular but are actually plural.

These words do not end in -s but always refer to more than one, so they take a plural verb.

  • People are waiting outside.
  • The police have caught the thief.
  • Cattle are grazing in the field.
  • Children love to play games.
11 "A number of" = plural; "The number of" = singular

A number of means "many" → plural verb. The number of means "the total count" → singular verb.

  • A number of students were absent today. (= many students)
  • The number of students in our school is 500. (= the total)
  • A number of birds have flown away.
  • The number of trees in the park has decreased.
12 "One of the" takes a singular verb.

In the pattern "One of the + plural noun", the subject is one (singular), so the verb is singular.

  • One of the boys is absent today.
  • One of my friends has gone abroad.
  • One of the windows was broken.
13 Distances, amounts, and time periods take a singular verb.

When a distance, sum of money, or period of time is treated as a single unit, use a singular verb.

  • Five kilometres is a long distance to walk.
  • Two hundred rupees is not a big amount.
  • Three hours is a long time to wait.
  • Ten years has passed since we met.
14 "There" + is/are — verb agrees with the real subject after it.

In sentences starting with there, the real subject comes after the verb. The verb must agree with that real subject.

  • There is a book on the table. (book = singular)
  • There are many books on the table. (books = plural)
  • There was a strange noise last night.
  • There were twenty students in the class.
15 Titles of books, movies, and countries take a singular verb.

Even if a title looks plural, it refers to one thing (one book, one movie, one country), so it takes a singular verb.

  • Harry Potter is my favourite book.
  • The United States is a large country.
  • “Three Idiots” is a wonderful movie.
  • The Arabian Nights is a famous collection of stories.

🌟 Quick Memory Aid

Singular subject = verb with -s (He plays)
Plural subject = verb without -s (They play)

Think of it as: "One S is enough!" — either the subject or the verb ends in -s, but rarely both!

🤔 Section 3: Tricky Cases

These are the sneaky situations where students often make mistakes. Pay close attention!

🎯 Tricky Case 1: Words Between Subject and Verb

Sometimes extra words (like a prepositional phrase) appear between the subject and the verb. Ignore them! The verb must still agree with the real subject.

Examples
  • The box of chocolates is on the table. (Subject: box = singular)
  • The students in the class are very bright. (Subject: students = plural)
  • The bouquet of roses looks beautiful. (Subject: bouquet = singular)
  • The pages of the book are torn. (Subject: pages = plural)
🔑

Pro Trick

Cross out the words between the subject and verb mentally. Then check: does the subject match the verb?
"The box of chocolates is..." — Yes! "Box" + "is" = both singular. Correct!

🎯 Tricky Case 2: Inverted Sentences

In some sentences, the verb comes before the subject. You must find the real subject to decide the correct verb.

Examples
  • Here comes the bus. (Subject: bus = singular)
  • Where are the children? (Subject: children = plural)
  • On the wall hangs a beautiful painting. (Subject: painting = singular)
  • Under the tree sit two old men. (Subject: men = plural)
🎯 Tricky Case 3: Relative Pronouns (who, which, that)

When who, which, or that is the subject of a clause, the verb agrees with the antecedent (the word the pronoun refers to).

Examples
  • It is I who am responsible. (who = I)
  • She is one of those girls who work very hard. (who = girls = plural)
  • The book that was on the shelf is mine. (that = book = singular)
  • The dogs that were barking have stopped now. (that = dogs = plural)
🎯 Tricky Case 4: "Along with / Together with / As well as"

Phrases like along with, together with, as well as, in addition to, besides do not change the number of the subject. The verb agrees with the first subject only.

Examples
  • The captain, along with his team, was present. (Subject: captain = singular)
  • Riya, as well as her friends, has joined the club.
  • The teacher, together with the students, is going on a trip.
💡 Section 4: Quick Tips & Common Mistakes
📚 Quick Tips to Remember
✍

5 Steps to Check Agreement

  • Step 1: Find the subject (who or what does the action?).
  • Step 2: Ignore words between the subject and the verb (of, with, along with, etc.).
  • Step 3: Decide if the subject is singular or plural.
  • Step 4: Pick the matching verb form.
  • Step 5: Read the sentence aloud — does it sound right?
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠ Watch Out for These!

WRONG The news are shocking.
RIGHT The news is shocking. (news is singular)

WRONG Each of the students have a pen.
RIGHT Each of the students has a pen. (each = singular)

WRONG The team are playing well.
RIGHT The team is playing well. (team = one unit)

WRONG A number of students is absent.
RIGHT A number of students are absent. (a number of = many)

WRONG Bread and butter is my breakfast.
RIGHT Bread and butter are kept on the table. (two separate items = plural)

WRONG The police has arrived.
RIGHT The police have arrived. (police is always plural)

📚 Helpful Reference Chart

Keep this chart handy while solving exercises!

Word / Phrase Singular or Plural? Example
Each, Every, Everyone Singular Each boy has a bag.
Either, Neither (alone) Singular Neither is correct.
News, Physics, Maths Singular The news is good.
People, Police, Cattle Plural People are kind.
A number of Plural A number of birds are flying.
The number of Singular The number of birds is large.
One of the Singular One of the boys is tall.
Along with / As well as Follows first subject He, along with friends, is coming.
There is / There are Agrees with real subject There are many stars.
Titles (books, movies) Singular “Three Idiots” is fun.
📝 Section 5: Exercises

Time to test your skills! Try all four exercises before checking the solutions. Good luck, champion!

✅ Exercise A: Choose the Correct Verb

Pick the correct verb form from the options given in brackets.

  1. The list of items (is / are) on the desk.
  2. Everyone in the class (has / have) submitted the homework.
  3. Neither of the answers (is / are) correct.
  4. The news about the floods (was / were) shocking.
  5. Mathematics (is / are) my favourite subject.
  6. The police (has / have) arrested the suspect.
  7. One of my classmates (sing / sings) beautifully.
  8. Bread and butter (is / are) served for breakfast.
  9. Either Ravi or his brothers (is / are) responsible for this.
  10. A number of chairs (was / were) broken during the event.
  11. The number of visitors (has / have) increased this year.
  12. The United States (is / are) a developed country.
Show Answers for Exercise A
  1. is Subject: "list" (singular). "Of items" is a prepositional phrase — ignore it. Singular subject takes singular verb.
  2. has "Everyone" is always singular (Rule 6). So it takes "has".
  3. is "Neither" used alone is singular (Rule 5). "Of the answers" is extra — ignore it.
  4. was "News" looks plural but is singular (Rule 9). It takes "was".
  5. is "Mathematics" is a subject name — singular (Rule 9).
  6. have "Police" is always plural (Rule 10). It takes "have".
  7. sings "One of" makes the subject singular (Rule 12). Singular verb = "sings".
  8. is "Bread and butter" can be treated as a single item (a combined breakfast item), taking a singular verb. However, if they are separate items, "are" is also acceptable (Rule 3).
  9. are With "either...or", the verb agrees with the nearest subject — "brothers" (plural). So "are" (Rule 4).
  10. were "A number of" = many (plural). So "were" (Rule 11).
  11. has "The number of" = the total (singular). So "has" (Rule 11).
  12. is "The United States" is a title / country name (singular). So "is" (Rule 15).

✎ Exercise B: Fill in is/are/was/were/has/have

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb.

  1. There ______ a beautiful garden near our school.
  2. The cattle ______ grazing in the field.
  3. Each of the players ______ given a medal.
  4. The team ______ celebrating their victory last night.
  5. Five hundred rupees ______ a lot of money for a child.
  6. My mother, along with her sisters, ______ gone to the market.
  7. There ______ many reasons for his success.
  8. Physics ______ not an easy subject for most students.
  9. Neither the teacher nor the students ______ aware of the change.
  10. Every man, woman, and child ______ to be rescued.
  11. The children ______ playing in the park right now.
  12. A number of trees ______ been planted this year.
Show Answers for Exercise B
  1. is "There" + real subject "a beautiful garden" (singular). Use "is" (Rule 14).
  2. are "Cattle" is always plural (Rule 10). Use "are".
  3. was "Each" is singular (Rule 6). "Was given" (passive, singular).
  4. was "Team" is a collective noun (singular, Rule 7). "Was celebrating" for past continuous.
  5. is An amount of money (single unit, Rule 13). Use "is".
  6. has "Along with" does not change the subject. Subject: "My mother" (singular). Use "has".
  7. are "There" + real subject "many reasons" (plural). Use "are" (Rule 14).
  8. is "Physics" is singular (Rule 9). Use "is".
  9. were "Neither...nor" — verb agrees with nearest subject "students" (plural). Use "were" (Rule 4).
  10. was "Every" makes the subject singular (Rule 6), even though there are three nouns. Use "was".
  11. are "Children" is plural (Rule 10). Use "are".
  12. have "A number of" = many (plural, Rule 11). Use "have".

🔎 Exercise C: Correct the Errors

Each sentence has an error in subject-verb agreement. Find and correct it.

  1. The quality of the mangoes were not good.
  2. Each of the girls have finished their work.
  3. The news about the elections are interesting.
  4. Neither Ram nor his friends was invited to the party.
  5. There is many books in the library.
  6. The committee have decided to postpone the event.
  7. One of the students have won a prize.
  8. People in the village is very friendly.
  9. The number of accidents have risen sharply.
  10. Economics deal with supply and demand.
  11. Riya, as well as her sisters, are going on a trip.
  12. Every teacher and student were present at the assembly.
Show Answers for Exercise C
  1. The quality of the mangoes was not good. Subject: "quality" (singular). "Of the mangoes" is extra. Change "were" to "was".
  2. Each of the girls has finished her work. "Each" = singular (Rule 6). Change "have" to "has".
  3. The news about the elections is interesting. "News" is singular (Rule 9). Change "are" to "is".
  4. Neither Ram nor his friends were invited to the party. Nearest subject: "friends" (plural, Rule 4). Change "was" to "were".
  5. There are many books in the library. Real subject: "many books" (plural, Rule 14). Change "is" to "are".
  6. The committee has decided to postpone the event. "Committee" is a collective noun (singular, Rule 7). Change "have" to "has".
  7. One of the students has won a prize. "One of" = singular (Rule 12). Change "have" to "has".
  8. People in the village are very friendly. "People" is always plural (Rule 10). Change "is" to "are".
  9. The number of accidents has risen sharply. "The number of" = singular (Rule 11). Change "have" to "has".
  10. Economics deals with supply and demand. "Economics" is singular (Rule 9). Change "deal" to "deals".
  11. Riya, as well as her sisters, is going on a trip. "As well as" does not change the subject. Subject: "Riya" (singular). Change "are" to "is".
  12. Every teacher and student was present at the assembly. "Every" makes the compound subject singular (Rule 6). Change "were" to "was".

📄 Exercise D: Complete the Passage

Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form from the options given.

Our school (1) (is / are) one of the best in the city. There (2) (is / are) over a thousand students in the school. Each class (3) (has / have) about forty students. The team of teachers (4) (work / works) very hard. Neither the principal nor the teachers (5) (miss / misses) a single day. The news of our school's success (6) (has / have) spread everywhere. A number of awards (7) (has / have) been won by our students. The number of prizes (8) (is / are) increasing every year. Everyone in the school (9) (feel / feels) proud. Five hours of hard work every day (10) (is / are) the secret of our success.
Show Answers for Exercise D
  1. is "Our school" = singular subject. Use "is".
  2. are "There" + "over a thousand students" (plural). Use "are" (Rule 14).
  3. has "Each class" = singular (Rule 6). Use "has".
  4. works "Team" = collective noun (singular, Rule 7). "Of teachers" is extra. Use "works".
  5. miss "Neither...nor" — nearest subject: "teachers" (plural, Rule 4). Use "miss".
  6. has "News" = singular (Rule 9). Use "has".
  7. have "A number of" = many (plural, Rule 11). Use "have".
  8. is "The number of" = total (singular, Rule 11). Use "is".
  9. feels "Everyone" = singular (Rule 6). Use "feels".
  10. is "Five hours" = a single period of time (Rule 13). Use "is".
🏆

You Did It!

Congratulations on completing all the exercises! If you got most answers right, you have an excellent understanding of Subject-Verb Agreement. If you made some mistakes, don't worry — go back, review the 15 rules, and try again. Practice makes perfect!

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