Subject verb agreement
1. He and his wife ……………………….. arrived.
Two or more singular nouns connected by and take a plural verb.
2. Oil and water ……………………… not agree.
Two or more singular nouns connected by and take a plural verb.
3. My mentor and benefactor ………………………. no more.
When two singular nouns refer to the same person, we use a singular verb.
4. The secretary and the chairman ……………………………. present at the meeting.
Here the articles used with the two nouns indicate that they refer to different people and hence we use a plural verb.
5. Each person …………………………. a vote.
We use a singular noun and a singular verb after each.
6. Each day ………………………… its own challenges.
We use a singular noun and a singular verb after each.
7. Neither Rahul nor Rohan ………………………… passed the exam.
The verb is singular when two or more singular nouns are connected by nor.
8. Either Peter or James ………………………. left his umbrella in the classroom.
The verb is singular when two or more singular nouns are connected by or.
9. Neither the manager nor his personal assistants ……………………… there.
When the subjects joined by or or nor are of different number, the verb is plural. In this case, put the plural subject close to the verb.
10. Neither he nor I ………………………… responsible for this.
When the subjects connected by or or nor are of different persons, the verb agrees in person with the nearest subject.
11. Neither you nor he ………………………… a good student.
When the subjects connected by or or nor are of different persons, the verb agrees in person with the nearest subject.
12. Everyone of them ……………………… there.
We use a singular verb after every and everyone.
Answers
1. He and his wife have arrived.
2. Oil and water do not agree.
3. My mentor and benefactor is no more.
4. The secretary and the chairman were present at the meeting.
5. Each person has a vote.
6. Each day brings its own challenges.
7. Neither Rahul nor Rohan has passed the exam.
8. Either Peter or James has left his umbrella in the classroom.
9. Neither the manager nor his personal assistants were there.
10. Neither he nor I am responsible for this.
11. Neither you nor he is a good student.
12. Every one of them was there.
