What is The Relationship Between Subject and Verb?

Sheba Kutir May 23, 2026

What is The Relationship Between Subject and Verb?

The form of the verb that changes according to the number and person of the subject is called Subject-Verb Agreement. In English grammar, the subject and verb must agree with each other in number and person.

In simple words:

  • A singular subject takes a singular verb.
  • A plural subject takes a plural verb.

Subject-Verb Agreement is very important for writing grammatically correct English sentences.

Subject-verb agreement made easy

What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-Verb Agreement means that the verb changes according to the subject of the sentence.

For example:

  • He works hard.
  • They work hard.

In the first sentence, the subject is singular, so the verb is singular. In the second sentence, the subject is plural, so the verb is plural.

Subject verb agreement basic rules in English grammar

Rule 01: Singular Subject Takes Singular Verb

If the subject is singular, the verb will be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb will be plural.

For Example

  • Boby is here.
  • The boys were absent.
  • We have good news.
  • We have reached there.
  • They do the sum.
  • She does the job.

Rule 02: Third Person Singular Takes “s” or “es”

If the subject is third-person singular, “s” or “es” is added to the main verb. If the subject is first-person, second-person, or third-person plural, the pronoun sits alongside the main verb.

For Example

  • Babu reads a book.
  • Man makes his own fortune.
  • We make a toy.
  • You play football.
  • They lead a simple life.
  • Samira and Mira go to school.
Third person singular verb rules

Rule 03: Subject with a Preposition

If there is a subject with a preposition, the noun before the preposition is considered the main subject, and the verb is placed according to that subject.

For Example

  1. The dress on the floor is green.
  2. The colour of the eyes is blue.
  3. The rules of the state have been imposed.
  4. People of Bangladesh have morality.

Rule 04: Subjects Joined by Phrases

When subjects are joined by phrases like:

  • as well as
  • along with
  • accompanied by

the verb follows the first subject.

For Example

  1. Amir as well as Kabir’s brothers is present.
  2. Amir accompanied by his children was absent.
  3. I along with my brothers am going to school.

Rule 05: Each, Every, and No Take Singular Verbs

If the subject is joined by:

  • each
  • every
  • no

the verb becomes singular.

For Example

  1. Each boy and girl was absent.
  2. Every boy is here.
  3. No man was happy.
Each every no subject verb agreement rule

Rule 06: Indefinite Pronouns Take Singular Verbs

Indefinite pronouns are usually third-person singular. Therefore, singular verbs are used after them.

Common Indefinite Pronouns

  • Everybody
  • Everyone
  • Nobody
  • Someone
  • Anybody
  • One

For Example

  1. Everybody loves me.
  2. Everyone hates her.
  3. Nobody loves me.
  4. Someone wants to buy it.
  5. One leads a simple life.

Rule 07: Either...Or / Neither...Nor

The verb follows the subject nearest to it when subjects are joined by:

  • either...or
  • neither...nor

For Example

  1. Either of them is poor.
  2. Neither of us knows it.
  3. Either he or his brother is rich.
  4. Neither he nor his brothers were present.

Rule 08: “A Number of” and “The Number of”

  • “A number of” takes a plural verb.
  • “The number of” takes a singular verb.

For Example

  1. A number of students are reading the books.
  2. The number of students is increasing.
  3. A number of problems have arisen.
  4. The number of problems has increased.

Rule 09: Sentences Beginning with There and Here

In sentences beginning with “there” and “here”, the verb follows the noun that comes after it.

For Example

  1. There is a school in our village.
  2. There are dresses on the table.
  3. Here is my mother.
  4. Here are some books.

Rule 10: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns usually take singular verbs, but when the members act separately, plural verbs are used.

For Example

  1. The jury gives the same opinion.
  2. The jury give different opinions.
  3. The committee has taken a decision.
  4. The committee were divided into groups.
Collective noun subject verb agreement rules

Rule 11: Time, Distance, Money, and Measurement

Time, distance, money, measurement, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions usually take singular verbs.

For Example

  1. Ten miles is not far.
  2. Five liters of sugar is required.
  3. Ten hours is required to go there.
  4. Two plus two is four.
  5. Two-thirds of the water is stored.

Rule 12: Gerunds and Infinitives as Subjects

Gerunds and infinitives take singular verbs when used as subjects.

For Example

  1. Swimming is a good habit.
  2. To swim is a good habit.
  3. Telling lies is a great sin.
  4. To tell a lie brings hundreds of lies.

Rule 13: Names of Books, Organizations, and Movies

Names of newspapers, books, organizations, companies, and movies generally take singular verbs.

For Example

  1. Arabian Nights is a good movie.
  2. Bangla Academy works for culture.

Rule 14: Two Words Joined by “And”

When two words joined by “and” express the same idea, the verb becomes singular. If they express different ideas, the verb becomes plural.

For Example

  1. Slow and steady wins the race.
  2. Time and tide wait for none.
  3. Bread and butter is delicious.
  4. Rahim and Kabir were present.
  5. Reading and writing are two skills.
And conjunction subject verb agreement rules

Rule 15: Some Nouns Always Take Singular Verbs

Some nouns are always singular in form and meaning.

Examples

  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Economics
  • Politics
  • Measles
  • Smallpox

For Example

  1. Economics is a hard subject.
  2. Smallpox is an infectious disease.
  3. Politics is a dirty game.

Rule 16: Several, Few, Many, Others Take Plural Verbs

These words always take plural verbs.

For Example

  1. Many were chosen.
  2. Several women are present.
  3. Few people have taken it.

Rule 17: Relative Pronouns Follow Their Antecedents

Relative pronouns take verbs according to the nouns or pronouns before them.

For Example

  1. It is I who am your cousin.
  2. It is she who is honest.
  3. The great who were honest made history.

Rule 18: Nouns Having the Same Form in Singular and Plural

Some nouns have the same form in both singular and plural. The verb depends on the meaning of the sentence.

Examples

  • Deer
  • Sheep
  • Series
  • Species
  • Salmon
  • Means

For Example

  1. We have ten sheep.
  2. I have five thousand taka.

Rule 19: Some Nouns Are Always Plural

Some nouns always take plural verbs.

Examples

  • People
  • Children
  • Police
  • Cattle
  • Poultry
  • Vermin

For Example

  1. The police were running.
  2. The cattle are grazing.
  3. The peasantry depend on rain.
  4. The people of Bangladesh are kind.

Conclusion

Subject-Verb Agreement is an essential part of English grammar. It helps learners make grammatically correct sentences by matching the subject with the correct verb form.

By understanding these rules and practicing regularly, students can improve both spoken and written English effectively.

Correct subject verb agreement makes sentences clear, professional, and easy to understand.

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