Agreement between The Verb and
The Subject

Agreement between The Verb and The Subject :



Early to bad and early to rite makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

Early to bed and early to rise - the habit of going to bed early and rising early - singular

A verb should be singular if its subject has EACH or MANY A just before it.

1. Many a woman feels entitled to more in life than just house work.
2. Every man and woman wants satisfaction in life.
3. Every boy and girl was present.
4. Each day and each hour brings its duty.
5. Every man, woman and child was done to death.
6. Each of my aunts gave me socks for Christmas.
7. Each of my aunts was present then.

1. No nook or comer was searched.
   nook - Singular subject
   comer - Singular subject
   or - Conjunction
   Hence 'was' - Singular subject is used.
   
   
   
2. No nook or corners were searched.
   nook - Singular
   comers - Plural subject
   So 'were' - plural verb is used.
   
   
   
3. Dons or his sisters have worked here.
   Neither he nor she was seen there.
   he – Singular
   she – Singular
   Hence 'was' - Singular verb is used.
   
   
   
4. Neither The Prime Minister nor his Ministers were present in the parliament when the motion came up for discussion.
   The Prime Minister - Singular - Subject
   Ministers - Plural - Subject
   As Ministers is plural, so plural verb ‘were’ is used.
   
   
   
5. Neither the captain nor his soldiers are hurt.
   
   
   
6. Either the son or his parents have done this.
   
   

1. Either he or I am to be present.
2. Neither you nor she is to be present.
3. Either he is to be present or I am to be present.
4. Neither you are to be present nor she is to be present.

Note : When the subject are joined by or, nor and are of different persons, the verb agrees in person with the one nearest to it.

1. Neither the mother nor her daughter was ever seen again.
2. One or the other of us has to buy the tickets.
3. Neither the plumber nor the painters have finished.
4. Either the branch office or the main office closes at 5.
5. She or you are responsible.
6. Either she is responsible or you are.
7. You or she is responsible.
8. Either you are responsible or she is.

Some indefinite pronouns may be singular or plural, depending on the meaning of the sentence.

1. Some of the rice bags have been removed.
2. Some of the work is yet to be completed.
3. All of the wheat is gone.
4. All of the workers are there.
5. Most of the speech is about the election.
6. Most of the Parliament members are not present at the time of division.
7. He and I (= we) are coming for the function.
8. My father and I (= we) have been here.
9. You and she have visited the place earlier.
10. You and I (= we) are no fools.

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