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”
Now in rule number 3, the word “You” is always used with plural verbs (Note that many questions were asked in exams where “You” is used with the verb is or singular form). So, as the subject, “You” is always used with plural verbs.
Examples:
You are an aspirant.
Here in the above sentence, ‘You’ is a singular subject, and with this singular subject, are is used as the plural verb. Now this sentence is correct, and it is the exception that ‘You’ always uses the plural verb with it.
You are engineers.
Here in the example above, the subject is ‘You,’ which is plural, so the verb as in rule 3 is plural, and are is used, which is plural in nature, so the sentence is correct again.
You go there.
Here in this example, the same sentence is used, which is ‘You’ is the plural, so as per rule 3 which states that the verb with ‘You’ is always used with the plural verb. So here in this example, go is used as the verb, which is plural in form, so this sentence is again correct.
You were studying.
Here in this example again, ‘You’ is the plural subject and ‘were’ is the plural verb. So this example is again the correct one.
Rule 4: “Needn’t” and “Daren’t”
Now in rule number 4, the words “Needn’t” and “Daren’t” are always used with plural verbs, even with singular subjects. These words needn’t and daren’t are frequently asked in competitive exams, so to know this rule is crucial for aspirants as it confuses them in the exam, and many times they mark the incorrect options. So let’s understand this rule with suitable examples.
Examples:
She needn’t go to Goa. (Correct)
Here in this example, the pronoun ‘She’ is the singular subject, and according to rule number 4, ‘needn’t’ is the helping verb here, so the main verb go should be used in the plural form. Goes is not correct here, while go in plural form is correct in the sentence, so that’s why the sentence is correct.
She needsn’t go to Goa. (Incorrect)
Now in this example, ‘She’ again is a pronoun and the singular subject, and ‘needsn’t’ is the singular helping verb. But this is a violation of rule number 4, which states that needn’t and daren’t always use plural verbs, and along with this, needn’t and daren’t cannot be used in the singular form. So that’s why the sentence is incorrect.
He daren’t oppose his son. (Correct)
Here in this example, ‘He’ is the singular subject and ‘daren’t’ is the plural verb. So this is the correct sentence according to rule number 4.
He daresn’t oppose his son. (Incorrect)
Now again, if you get the point in the previous example, in this example ‘He’ is the singular subject and ‘daresn’t’ is the singular verb, which again violates rule number 4. So that’s why this example is incorrect.
Important Notes:
Along with rule number 4, there is an important exception: If “dare” or “need” is used as the main verb of the sentence, it can follow both singular and plural rules. This exception becomes an important and favorite question for the examiner, as many questions are asked from this exception. Please understand this with the following examples.
Examples:
He dares to face the problems.
Here, the pronoun ‘He’ is the singular subject, and ‘dares’ acts as the singular verb as the main one. So the exception of rule number 4 follows, and it may be used with singular and plural. According to the subject ‘He’ in this sentence, which is singular, the verb ‘dares’ is used as singular only. So this sentence becomes correct.
She needs a book.
Here, the singular subject ‘She’ is the pronoun, and ‘needs’ is the singular verb, which again follows the exception of rule number 4.
They need books.
Here, the subject ‘They’ is plural, so ‘need’ is the plural verb. According to the exception of rule number 4, this sentence is correct.
Now understant the examples with negative sentences:
He does not dare to go outside.
Here in this example where pronoun ‘He’ is the singular subject, ‘does not’ is the singular auxiliary verb and ‘dare’ is the main verb. so this again follows the rule number 4 exeption and make this sentence correct.
She does not need a car.
Now in this example again the singular pronoun ‘She’ is the singular subject here in the example and ‘does not’ is the singular auxiliary verb and ‘need’ is the main verb so again according to the exeption rule number 4 follows which make this sentence correct again.
I do not need a book.
Now in this example sentence where ‘I’ is the singular subject and ‘do not’ is the plural auxiliary verb which follows the I which can use both the singular and the plural verb and ‘need’ is the main verb. So, in this example again the exeption of the rule number 4 follows and make this sentence correct.
Another Important Exception:
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)
But note: 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. Now understand the Rule 5 with the following examples
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)
Now note: If the condition is real, the verb matches the subject.
Examples:
If you come here, I will call him.
Now in this example sentence the ‘You’ which is the plural subject and ‘come’ is the plural verb. because of the sentence is in the real condition not an imaginory one so rule 5 do not follow here which is correct here.
Rachna looks as though she has been working.
Here again in this sentence the ‘She’ is the singular subject and ‘has been’ is the singular verb. So now this sentence is again correct because in this sentence it shows the real condition not an imaginory one which makes this sentence correct and do not follow rule 5.
Practice Time!
Let’s practice writing! Follow these tasks below to improve your subject-verb agreement rules and get these permanently into your brain so you may not lose marks in any competitive exam:
Just write five sentences using singular subjects and singular verbs. For example: “The samosa tastes delicious.” and share with us on the Facebook group so our community can evaluate it.
Write five sentences using plural subjects and plural verbs. For example: “The students enjoy their snacks.” Again, by writing these sentences you may get them wrong one time, but if you do these tasks diligently it improves your writing skills along with your grasp of English grammar.
Write three sentences each using “needn’t” and “daren’t.” For example: “You needn’t worry about exams; just study!” This one is important as it is crucial, since many aspirants get confused in this rule and skip it.
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!” This may be for your creative skills, as in this example you may write anything from your dreams to your desires which could be imaginary but may become reality one day.
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 (for example, “The boys is playing,” but aspirants use this instead of “The boys are playing”).
2. Many aspirants forgetting that words like “each,” “everyone,” and “someone” are singular (e.g., “Everyone are happy” should be “Everyone is happy”). So keep in your mind that words like each, everyone, and someone are singular.
4. Can “I” be used with both singular and plural verbs?
Yes, the subject “I” which can take or use both singular and plural verbs, only depending on the sentence. For example:
1. with Singular: “I am happy.”
2. with Plural: “I write essays.”
5. Why does “You” always use a plural verb?
In English, “You” which is treated as plural with the verb agreement, even when referring to one person. For example:
1. “You are my friend” (With singular)
2. “You are all invited” (With plural)
6. What are “needn’t” and “daren’t”?
These are contractions of “need not” and “dare not.” So these are used as short forms: needn’t and daren’t, and they are always followed by a plural form of the verb, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. So they only use the plural form of the verb. For 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. So when you use an imaginary or impossible situation, were is always used even if there is a singular subject. So were is the indicator to know the sentence is in the imaginary form. 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, which are explained in the article. For example:
1. “He dares to climb the mountain.” Here in this example, dares is used as the main verb.
2. “They dare to speak the truth.” Here in this example, dare is used as an auxiliary verb (e.g., “daren’t”), so it always takes a plural form of verb.
9. Can I use “to” with “daren’t” or “needn’t”?
No, you cannot use “to” with “daren’t” or “needn’t.” The rule is explained in the article. For example:
1. Correct sentence: “He needn’t go there.”
2. Incorrect sentence: “He needn’t to go there.”
10. How can I practice Subject-verb agreement rules?
You can practice subject-verb agreement by writing sentences with different rules and share them on the Facebook group of rankerschoice.com
1. Use singular and plural subjects with matching verbs, with different styles.
2. Create sentences with “needn’t” and “daren’t,” and also use the exception rule.
3. Write imaginative sentences starting with “I wish” or “If only,” and also use the exception of this rule in the sentences.
