English grammar has become essential for getting excellence in competitive exams, and mastering English grammar—especially subject‑verb agreement—builds a strong foundation for the journey of getting a government job with your choice of rank. As subject‑verb agreement is the backbone of all English rules, becoming familiar with these rules makes it easier to understand other rules in English. So, for an aspirant, this becomes very essential and more important for the upcoming exams. In this article, you will learn the most important English grammar rules which are often asked in competitive exams.
Subject-Verb Agreement
In this article, you will get to know 5 simple rules of subject‑verb agreement which are very important for your upcoming competitive exams. These rules are often asked in competitive exams like PSSSB, PCS, Punjab Police, and other state and central competitive exams. Now let’s keep these simple and fun so that even beginners can understand easily! And yes, we’ll add a bit of Indian tadka to make it interesting.
If the subject is singular, the verb is also singular.
If the subject is plural, the verb is also plural.
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement is very important because many mistakes happen when people use the wrong verb. Don’t worry, we’ll sort this out faster than a samosa disappears during tea time!
| Singular Subjects | Singular Verbs |
|---|---|
| I, He, She, It, Ram, Sita, The Boy, The Girl | Am, Is, Was, Has, Does, Writes, Drinks, Reads |
| Plural Subjects | Plural Verbs |
|---|---|
| We, You, They, Ram and Shyam, Gita and Rita, The Boys, The Girls | Are, Were, Have, Do, Write, Drink, Read |
Key Rules with Examples
Noun and Verb Forms:
Noun + s/es/ies → Plural Noun (e.g., boys, buses)
Verb + s/es/ies → Singular Verb (e.g., writes, goes)
Rule 1: Singular Subject and Singular Verb
In the subject-verb agreement, If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. Simple as chai and biscuits!
Examples:
Sunaina was always late. (Correct)
Here in the example sentence, ‘Sunaina’ is the singular noun and ‘was’ is the singular verb. So, in the sentence, the subject Sunaina agrees with the verb was, and therefore the sentence is correct.
Sunaina were always late. (Incorrect)
Here in the example sentence, ‘Sunaina’ is the singular noun and ‘were’ is the plural verb. So, in the sentence, the subject Sunaina doesn’t agree with the verb were, as Sunaina, which is singular, requires the singular verb was. But in this sentence, it is the plural were, so the sentence is wrong. The correct sentence is: Sunaina was always late.
Rule 2: The Subject “I”
In rule 2, when the word “I” is used, it can be used with both singular and plural verbs depending on the sentence. So the question is, how would you know when to use it with a singular verb and when to use it with a plural verb? The simple answer for this is: see the examples below.
Examples:
I am an aspirant.
Here in the above sentence, ‘I’ is used as the singular subject, and ‘am’ is the singular verb. So here I is used as singular because of am, as am is always used with a singular subject, since am is a singular verb.
I was a student.
Here again in the above sentence, ‘I’ is the singular subject and ‘was’ is the singular verb. So here again I is used as singular because of was, which is a singular verb. So for this type of question, you need to understand that I, when used as a subject, is always used as a singular subject, which always goes with the singular verb was.
I have a car.
Here in the above sentence, ‘I’ is the singular subject and ‘have’ is the plural verb. Now this sentence is correct, as in this sentence the plural verb is used. But in previous examples, we discussed that I, being singular, is always used with a singular verb. However, in this example we use the plural verb have to show ownership, which is expressed with the verb have. That’s why have is used as a plural verb.
I write a passage.
Here again in the above sentence, ‘I’ is the singular subject and ‘write’ is the plural verb. Now this sentence is again correct, as in this sentence the plural verb is used. But in the previous example, I stated that to show ownership we use the plural verb with I. And again, according to the conjugation rules, the verb used with I here is plural, so the singular verb writes is not used here according to the rule.
Rule 3: The Subject “You”
The word “You” is always used with plural verbs, whether it’s singular or plural. Confusing? Don’t worry, it’s easier than deciding between chai and coffee.
Examples:
You are an aspirant.
‘You’ is the singular subject and ‘are’ is the plural subject.
You are engineers.
‘You’ is the plural subject and ‘are’ is the plural verb.
You go there.
‘You’ is the plural subject and ‘go’ is the plural verb.
You were studying.
‘You’ is the plural subject and ‘were’ is the plural verb.
Rule 4: “Needn’t” and “Daren’t”
The words “Needn’t” and “Daren’t” always use plural verbs, even with singular subjects. Think of it as a little quirk, like adding extra masala to your maggi.
Examples:
She needn’t go to Goa. (Correct)
‘She’ is the singular subject and ‘needn’t is the verb.
She needsn’t go to Goa. (Incorrect)
‘She’ is the singular subject and ‘needsn’t is the singular verb.
He daren’t oppose his son. (Correct)
‘He’ is the singular subject and ‘daren’t is the plural verb.
He daresn’t oppose his son. (Incorrect)
‘He’ is the singular subject and ‘daresn’t is the singular verb.
Important Notes:
If “dare” or “need” is used as the main verb, it can follow both singular and plural rules.
Examples:
He dares to face the problems.
‘He’ is the singular subject and ‘dares’ is the singular verb.
She needs a book.
‘She’ is the singular subject and ‘needs’ is the singular verb.
They need books.
‘They’ is the plural subject and ‘need’ is the plural verb.
In negative sentences:
He does not dare to go outside.
‘He’ is the singular subject, ‘does not’ is the singular auxiliary verb and ‘dare’ is the main verb.
She does not need a car.
‘She’ is the singular subject, ‘does not’ is the singular auxiliary verb and ‘need’ is the main verb.
I do not need a book.
‘I’ is the singular subject, ‘do not’ is the plural auxiliary verb and ‘need’ is the main verb.
Do not use “to” with “daren’t” and “needn’t.”
Examples:
He daren’t come to Goa. (Correct)
He daren’t to come to Goa. (Incorrect)
You needn’t go to Delhi. (Correct)
You needn’t to go to Delhi. (Incorrect)
When “dare” or “need” shows courage or necessity, “to” can be used.
Examples:
He dares to oppose his son.
She needs to go to Goa.
Rule 5: Imagination Sentences (Suppositional Sentences)
When a sentence starts with “if,” “as if,” “as though,” “if only,” “suppose,” or “I wish,” it shows imagination or something impossible. In such cases, the verb “were” is always used. Think of it as
dreaming big – like wishing for free pani puri forever!
Examples:
I wish Sonam Bajwa were my wife. (Correct)
I wish Sonam Bajwa was my wife. (Incorrect)
If she were my sister, she would forget me. (Correct)
If she was my sister, she would forget me. (Incorrect)
Sonam talks to me as if she were the CEO of the company. (Correct)
Sonam talks to me as if she was the CEO of the company. (Incorrect)
If the condition is real, the verb matches the subject.
Examples:
If you come here, I will call him.
‘You’ is the plural subject and ‘come’ is the plural verb.
Rachna looks as though she has been working.
‘She’ is the singular subject and ‘has been’ is the singular verb.
Practice Time!
Let’s practice writing! Follow these tasks to improve your subject-verb agreement rules:
Write five sentences using singular subjects and singular verbs. For example: “The samosa tastes delicious.”
Write five sentences using plural subjects and plural verbs. For example: “The students enjoy their snacks.”
Write three sentences each using “needn’t” and “daren’t.” For example: “You needn’t worry about exams; just study!”
Write two sentences imagining impossible situations using “I wish” or “if only.” For example: “I wish I could eat biryani every day without gaining weight!”
Remember: The more you practice, the better you will understand these rules. Learning subject-verb agreement can be as fun as enjoying a plate of golgappas – one bite at a time!
1. What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-Verb Agreement means that the subject and verb in a sentence must match in number. If the subject is singular, the verb should be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.
2. How can I identify a singular or plural subject?
A singular subject refers to one person, place, or thing (e.g., Ram, Sita, the boy). A plural subject refers to more than one (e.g., Ram and Shyam, the boys).
3. What are some common mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement?
Some common mistakes in subject-verb agreement include:
1. Using a singular verb with a plural subject (e.g., “The boys is playing” instead of “The boys are playing”).
2. Forgetting that words like “each,” “everyone,” and “someone” are singular (e.g., “Everyone are happy” should be “Everyone is happy”).
4. Can “I” be used with both singular and plural verbs?
Yes, the subject “I” can take both singular and plural verbs, depending on the sentence. For example:
1. Singular: “I am happy.”
2. Plural: “I write essays.”
5. Why does “You” always use a plural verb?
In English, “You” is treated as plural for verb agreement, even when referring to one person. For example:
1. “You are my friend” (singular)
2. “You are all invited” (plural)
6. What are “needn’t” and “daren’t”?
These are contractions of “need not” and “dare not.” They are always followed by a plural verb, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. Example:
1. “She needn’t go to the market.”
2. “They daren’t oppose the rules.”
7. When should I use “were” instead of “was”?
Use “were” for imaginary or impossible situations, even with singular subjects. For example:
1. “I wish I were rich.”
2. “If he were taller, he could play basketball.”
8. What is the difference between “dare” as a main verb and as an auxiliary verb?
When “dare” is a main verb, it follows standard subject-verb rules. For example:
1. “He dares to climb the mountain.”
2. “They dare to speak the truth.” As an auxiliary verb (e.g., “daren’t”), it always takes a plural verb.
9. Can I use “to” with “daren’t” or “needn’t”?
No, “to” is not used with “daren’t” or “needn’t.” For example:
1. Correct: “He needn’t go there.”
2. Incorrect: “He needn’t to go there.”
10. How can I practice Subject-verb agreement rules?
You can practice subject-verb agreement by writing sentences:
1. Use singular and plural subjects with matching verbs.
2. Create sentences with “needn’t” and “daren’t.”
3. Write imaginative sentences starting with “I wish” or “If only.”
