Errors in Use of Subject Verb Agreement for Competitive Exams

12. Some words (such as scissors, trousers, spectacles, shorts etc.) and in---s and seem to represent a single thing, but they are two parts to that single thing. These words take plural verbs.

Examples:

The scissors are on the table.

His trousers are very costly.

13. Words (such as politics, ethics, athletics etc.) that end in _____ ies are usually singular and hence take singular verbs.

Examples:

Mathematics is his favorite subject.

Politics is itself a dirty game.

But these words are singular when they refer to a study, science or practice. If these words have modifiers with them, they become plural and hence take plural verbs.

Examples:

His politics are somewhat divided.

The mathematics of the tax-return is flawless.

14. Title of the books need singular verbs.

Examples:

Great Expectations is a good book.

Tom Jones is a book of Fielding.

15. Some nouns in the plural form represent an amount, a fraction, or an element of time. These nouns are considered singular and hence take singular verbs.

Examples:

Sixty minutes is enough to finish this work.

Three fourth of the land is barren.

16. If two subjects are joined together by as well as the verb will act according to the first subject.

Examples:

Students as well as the teacher are playing.

He as well as his brothers is sitting there.

17. The subject “Many a” …….  is always followed by the singular verb.

Examples:

Many a man was drowned in the sea.

18. If two subjects are joined together by with the verb will act according to the subject.

Examples:

The principal together with his students was seeing the final match.

The students together with the Principal were seeing the final match.

19. If subject is “the number of …..” use a singular verb.

Examples:

The numbers of books is very small.

The number of boys in this team is ten.

20. If the subject begins with “a number of…..” (Many) use a plural verb.

Examples:

A number of books are missing.

21. If two subjects express on idea, use a singular verb.

Examples:

Bread and butter is wholesome food.

Soup and salad is too light a lunch.

22. When adjective such as much, less, little and more are used as nouns, they must have a singular verb.

Examples:

A little of good habits makes our life happy.

Less than a million of rupees are required.