Compulsory English Class 12, Subject Verb Agreement and Exercise

Basic Rules for Subject–Verb Agreement

1. Neither…nor / Either…or

The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

If the nearer subject is singular → use a singular verb.

If the nearer subject is plural → use a plural verb.

👉 Neither the students nor the teacher is here.

👉 Neither the teacher nor the students are here.

2. Either / Neither (alone)

When either or neither is used alone, it is singular.

👉 Either of the books contains a good story.

👉 Neither of the answers makes sense.

3. Along with / Together with / As well as

The verb agrees with the main subject, not the words after it.

These phrases do not make the subject plural.

👉 The principal, along with the teachers, was present.

👉 My mother, together with my aunt, has organized the party.

4. One of + plural noun

The subject is one, so the verb is singular.

👉 One of the boys is working.

👉 One of the students studies hard.

5. Each of / Every one of

Always takes a singular verb.

👉 Each of the workers completes their tasks.

6. Both of

Always takes a plural verb.

👉 Both of the players play in the final match.

7. Collective nouns (class, herd, team, crew, band, family)

Usually take a singular verb when acting as one group.

👉 The herd of deer runs to the river.

👉 The crew is preparing for the voyage.

8. The number of / A number of

The number of → singular verb.

A number of → plural verb.

👉 The number of cars increases rapidly.

👉 A number of students read in the library.

9. Compound subject with “and”

Usually takes a plural verb.

👉 He and I are well.

10. Pronouns like I / you / he / she

Use the verb form that matches the pronoun closest to the verb.

👉 Whether you or she comes doesn’t matter.

👉 Neither I nor my sister understand her.

11. Uncountable or single-unit ideas

Treated as singular.

👉 The invitation is for one person.

Subject–Verb Agreement Exercise

1. At the moment, neither students nor their teacher _____ (is / are / has been / have been) participating in this play.

2. Neither the gas fire nor the electric heaters ____ suitable for room heating. (is / are)

3. Neither the gas fire nor the electric heaters (be) suitable for room heating.

4. Either Manoj or his parents ____ (has / have) supported the winners.

5. Either the Kantipur or the Republica (be) used for the advertisement.

6. Neither the tracksuit nor the pajamas _____ (fit) me.

7. Neither the MPs nor the Prime Minister (have) felt regret for the party split.

8. Neither my mother nor my sisters _____ (is / are / has been / have been) coming to visit me this summer.

9. She speaks in a strange accent. Neither I nor my sister (understand) her.

10. The invitation is for one person. I don’t mind whether you or she (come) to the party.

11. I don’t care whether he or she (win) the lottery.

12. I forgot whether the singers or the actress (be) given the Film Fair Award last year.

13. One of the boys _____ still working on the project assigned by the teacher.

14. The principal along with other experts ___ (has / have / was / were) present at the meeting.

15. He and I _____ (is / are / have) well until now.

16. The herd of deer ____ (run / runs) to the river.

17. The master along with his three servants ____ (is / am / are) going to the court.

18. The captain, along with his crew, ____ preparing for the voyage. (is / are)

19. My mother, together with my aunt, ______ organized the party. (has / have)

20. The class monitor as well as his friends usually _____ (perform / performs / performing / have performed) well in the extra-curricular activities.

21. The principal, as well as the teachers, ______ pleased with the students' performance. (was / were)

22. The dog, along with the puppies, ______ regular feeding. (needs / need)

23. The artist, together with his assistants, ____ working on a new sculpture. (is / are)

24. John, as well as his friends, ______ hiking on weekends. (enjoys / enjoy)

25. The chef, along with his team, ______ created a new menu. (has / have)

26. The singer, together with the band, ______ at local events. (perform / performs)

27. My uncle, along with his colleagues, ______ attending the conference. (is)

28. One of the students ______ hard for the exam every day. (study / studies)

29. Both of the players ______ in the final match. (play / plays)

30. Either of the books ______ a good story. (contain / contains)

31. Neither of the answers ______ sense. (make / makes)

32. Each of the workers ______ their tasks on time. (complete / completes)

33. The number of cars ______ rapidly in the city. (increase / increases)

34. A number of students ______ in the library. (read / reads)

35. One of the boys ______ football after school. (play / plays)

36. Neither of the solutions ______ to work properly. (seem / seems)