Subject-Verb Agreement for the Assam Police Constable (AB & UB) Exam
Subject-verb agreement means that the verb must match the subject in number and person, so that a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb. It is one of the most regularly tested points in the General English paper, because almost every sentence carries this agreement, and an error in it is easy for the examiner to plant. The question is usually given as a blank with two or three forms of a verb, or as an error-detection sentence in which the wrong verb has to be spotted. There is no passage to read; the answer depends on finding the true subject of the sentence and on a set of clear rules. The difficulty is that a phrase placed between the subject and the verb can hide the real subject, and that several words look plural but take a singular verb. This page explains the rules in order, marks the tricky subjects, and lists the high-yield patterns that repeat in the paper. The material follows the standard grammar reference books used for Assam recruitment examinations and is reviewed before it is published.
How This Portion Is Set
The examiner usually gives a sentence with a blank and asks for the correct form of the verb, or gives a sentence and asks which part contains an error in agreement. In both cases the candidate must first find the real subject, ignoring any phrase that stands between the subject and the verb, and then decide whether the subject is singular or plural. A candidate who finds the true subject first answers faster and with fewer mistakes.
The Basic Rule
A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb, as in the boy plays and the boys play. In the simple present the singular verb ends in s or es, as in he writes and she watches, while the plural verb has no s, as in they write. With the verb be the forms are is and was for the singular and are and were for the plural.
Subjects That Look Plural but Are Singular
- The news is shocking; the word news is singular even though it ends in s.
- Mathematics, physics, economics and politics are singular as the names of subjects.
- Ten kilometres is a long distance; fifty rupees is not a big amount.
- Two hours is enough; a period of time, distance or money is taken as one quantity.
- Bread and butter is wholesome food; here the two words name a single dish.
Subjects That Look Singular but Are Plural
- The police are investigating the case.
- Cattle are grazing in the field.
- My trousers are torn; the scissors are sharp.
- These nouns have no singular form and always take a plural verb.
Each, Every, Either, Neither and One Of
Each, every, either, neither and one of take a singular verb, even when a plural noun follows.
- Each of the boys has a bag; each boy and each girl was given a book.
- Every student is present; every one of them was invited.
- Neither of the answers is correct; either of the roads leads to the temple.
- One of my friends is a doctor.
Words Placed Between the Subject and the Verb
When a phrase such as along with, as well as, together with, in addition to or accompanied by stands between the subject and the verb, the verb agrees with the first subject and not with the words in the phrase.
- The teacher, along with the students, has arrived.
- The captain, as well as the players, is happy.
- The manager, together with his staff, is attending the function.
Two Subjects Joined by And
Two subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb, as in Ram and Shyam are good friends and the Chairman and the Secretary are attending the meeting. But when the two words name one person or one thing, the verb is singular, as in bread and butter is wholesome food and slow and steady wins the race.
Either ... or and Neither ... nor
With either ... or and neither ... nor the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. In neither Ram nor his brothers were present, the verb were agrees with brothers. In either Ram or his friends have done it, the verb have agrees with friends. In neither you nor I am to blame, the verb am agrees with I.
There is and There are, A Number of and The Number of
- There is a book on the table; there are many books on the table. The verb agrees with the noun that follows.
- A number of students were absent; here a number of means many, so the verb is plural.
- The number of students is sixty; here the number of means the total, so the verb is singular.
Traps That Cost Marks
- Making the verb agree with a phrase instead of the real subject, as in the quality of the mangoes are good instead of is good.
- Using a plural verb after each, every, either or neither.
- Using a plural verb after one of.
- Forgetting that news, mathematics and the name of a subject take a singular verb.
- Using a singular verb after police, cattle, trousers or scissors.
- Treating a sum of money or a distance as plural.
High-Yield Rules to Memorise
- Each of the boys has a bag; every student is present.
- Neither of the answers is correct; one of my friends is a doctor.
- The news is shocking; mathematics is my favourite subject.
- The police are investigating; cattle are grazing.
- The teacher, along with the students, has arrived.
- A number of students were absent; the number of students is sixty.
A Revision Plan for This Block
- Learn to find the real subject first, ignoring phrases in between.
- Learn the list of subjects that look plural but are singular, and the reverse list.
- Learn the rule for each, every, either, neither and one of.
- Learn the two rules for subjects joined by and and by either ... or.
- Practise ten sentences a day and mark the true subject before choosing the verb.
Subject-Verb Agreement Used in Sentences
The paper tests agreement inside a full sentence, and the candidate must supply the verb that suits the real subject. A sentence may speak of each of the boys who has a bag, the police who are investigating a case, or the twenty kilometres that is a long distance. Reading the sentence first, and finding the true subject, answers the question more safely than recalling a rule without looking at the context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does each take a singular or a plural verb?
Each takes a singular verb, even when a plural noun follows, as in each of the boys has a bag.
Is the news singular or plural?
The news is singular, as in the news is shocking. So are the names of subjects such as mathematics and physics.
Why do we say the police are and not the police is?
The police is a plural noun with no singular form, so it always takes a plural verb. Cattle, trousers and scissors behave in the same way.
Which verb is used with subjects joined by either ... or?
With either ... or and neither ... nor the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it, as in either Ram or his friends have done it.
What is the difference between a number of and the number of?
A number of means many and takes a plural verb, as in a number of students were absent, while the number of means the total and takes a singular verb, as in the number of students is sixty.