Subject-verb agreement is simple in theory but tricky in exams because tricky sentences hide the true subject.
मराठीत समजून घ्या: कर्ता-क्रियापद संगती (Subject-Verb Agreement)
मूळ नियम सोपा आहे: एकवचनी कर्ता → एकवचनी क्रियापद, अनेकवचनी कर्ता → अनेकवचनी क्रियापद. She goes. They go.
- मधल्या शब्दसमूहाकडे दुर्लक्ष करा: The list of items is complete. (कर्ता list आहे, items नाही.)
- and ने जोडलेले दोन कर्ते → अनेकवचन: Ravi and Priya are students.
- either…or / neither…nor → क्रियापदाच्या जवळचा कर्ता पाहा: Neither the teacher nor the students are happy.
- everyone, somebody, nobody, each → नेहमी एकवचन: Everyone is happy.
- One of the… → एकवचन: One of the boys has a bicycle.
The Golden Rule
Singular subject = singular verb. Plural subject = plural verb. “She goes.” NOT “She go.” “They go.” NOT “They goes.”
Where Students Get Confused
Trap 1: Phrases Between Subject and Verb “The list of items is complete.” (Subject: list, singular). NOT “The list of items are complete.” Ignore “of items”. Trap 2: Compound Subjects with “And” “Ravi and Priya are students.” (Two people = plural verb). BUT “Ravi and Priya’s mother is here.” (One mother = singular). Trap 3: Collective Nouns “The team is ready.” (Team as one unit). “The team are arguing.” (Team members individually). Trap 4: Either…Or and Neither…Nor “Either Ravi or Priya is coming.” “Neither the teacher nor the students are happy.” The verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb. Trap 5: Indefinite Pronouns Everyone, somebody, nobody, each, either are always singular. “Everyone is happy.” NOT “Everyone are happy.”
Quick Self-Check
1. Find the subject (ignore phrases in between). 2. Ask: Is it singular or plural? 3. Choose the matching verb form. 4. Double-check compound subjects and collective nouns. Master this and you’ll spot errors faster.
More Rules You Must Know
6. There is / There are: the verb agrees with the noun that follows. There is a book on the desk. There are two books on the desk.
7. A number of / The number of: A number of students have joined (plural). The number of students has increased (singular).
8. Singular words ending in -s: news, mathematics, physics, economics. The news is good. Mathematics is my favourite subject.
9. Amounts as one unit: Ten kilometres is a long walk. Five hundred rupees is enough.
10. as well as / along with / with: the verb agrees with the first subject. The teacher, along with her students, is going on the trip.
11. each / every: always singular. Each student has a book. Every boy and girl was present.
12. Plural-only nouns: scissors, trousers, spectacles take a plural verb. My spectacles are broken. But: A pair of scissors is on the table.
Practise: Choose the Correct Verb
- The box of chocolates (is / are) on the table.
- Neither my brother nor my parents (was / were) at home.
- Mathematics (is / are) my favourite subject.
- A number of students (has / have) joined the club.
- Each of the girls (sing / sings) well.
- The Principal, along with the teachers, (is / are) coming.
- There (is / are) many trees in our garden.
- Fifty rupees (is / are) too much for this pen.
- My trousers (need / needs) washing.
- Everybody (know / knows) the answer.
Show answers
- is (subject: box)
- were (nearer subject: parents)
- is
- have
- sings (subject: each)
- is (first subject: the Principal)
- are (many trees)
- is (one amount)
- need
- knows
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “the police” singular or plural?
Plural. The police are searching for the thief. The same is true for “people” and “cattle”.
What is the fastest way to check agreement in an exam?
Cover the words between the subject and the verb with your finger. Read only the subject and verb together. The mistake usually becomes obvious.
Each आणि Every नंतर कोणते क्रियापद येते?
नेहमी एकवचनी क्रियापद: Each student has, Every child is.
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