Verb Concord: Rules, Examples, and Exercises with Practice questions
Target Level: Class 6–12
Topic: Verb Concord (Subject-Verb Agreement)
Focus: Rules, Examples, Common Errors, and Exercises
MCQ Test, Self Assessment
| Chapter | Test Type |
|---|---|
| Easy | |
| Intermediate | |
| Hard |
📘 What is Verb Concord?
Verb Concord (also known as Subject-Verb Agreement) is the rule that a verb must agree with its subject in number and person.
🧠 Basic Rule:
A singular subject takes a singular verb.
A plural subject takes a plural verb.
📋 Verb Concord Rules with Examples
| Rule No. | Rule Description | Correct Example | Incorrect Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singular subject = Singular verb | She works hard. | She work hard. |
| 2 | Plural subject = Plural verb | They play cricket. | They plays cricket. |
| 3 | Two singular subjects joined by “and” = Plural verb | My brother and sister are talented. | My brother and sister is talented. |
| 4 | Each/Every/Everyone = Singular verb | Each student has a notebook. | Each student have a notebook. |
| 5 | Either/Neither (of) = Singular verb | Neither answer is correct. | Neither answer are correct. |
| 6 | “One of the…” = Singular verb | One of the boys has a bicycle. | One of the boys have a bicycle. |
| 7 | Collective noun = Usually singular | The team wins the match. | The team win the match. |
| 8 | Distances/Amounts = Singular verb | Five kilometers is a long walk. | Five kilometers are a long walk. |
| 9 | “There/Here” + Verb = Verb agrees with subject | There are many books. | There is many books. |
| 10 | Titles/Subjects (singular form) = Singular verb | “Mathematics” is interesting. | Mathematics are interesting. |
🚫 Common Mistakes in Verb Concord
- “Each of the players have a jersey.” ❌
✔ Correct: “Each of the players has a jersey.” - “Neither of the options are good.” ❌
✔ Correct: “Neither of the options is good.” - “The list of items are long.” ❌
✔ Correct: “The list of items is long.”
📝 Exercises
🟩 Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with correct verb forms.
- The bouquet of roses ___ (smell) fresh.
- Neither the students nor the teacher ___ (know) the answer.
- Each of the boys ___ (have/has) a pen.
- Ten miles ___ (is/are) a long distance to run.
- My friend and guide ___ (is/are) arriving soon.
🟨 Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Sentence
A. The committee decides on the rules.
B. The committee decide on the rules.
✔ Correct: A
A. One of my friends are an artist.
B. One of my friends is an artist.
✔ Correct: B
A. Neither of the books is available.
B. Neither of the books are available.
✔ Correct: A
🟦 Exercise 3: Identify the Error
- The number of students have increased.
- Each player and coach are respected.
- Measles are a common disease.
✔ Corrected:
- The number of students has increased.
- Each player and coach is respected.
- Measles is a common disease.
🎯 Tips to Remember
- Ignore prepositional phrases when deciding the subject (e.g., “The box of chocolates is…”)
- Identify the true subject (avoid getting confused by words in between)
- Watch out for collective nouns and phrases like “each,” “either,” and “neither”
📌 Conclusion
Verb concord is one of the most essential grammar rules in English writing and speaking. A solid grasp of subject–verb agreement makes your sentences clearer, more accurate, and grammatically correct. Practice regularly with examples, cloze tests, and exercises to master it.
✅ Verb Concord: Rules, Examples, and Exercises
Target Level: Class 6–12
Topic: Verb Concord (Subject-Verb Agreement)
Focus: Rules, Examples, Common Errors, and Exercises
📘 What is Verb Concord?
Verb Concord (also known as Subject-Verb Agreement) is the rule that a verb must agree with its subject in number and person.
🧠 Basic Rule:
A singular subject takes a singular verb.
A plural subject takes a plural verb.
📋 Verb Concord Rules with Examples
| Rule No. | Rule Description | Correct Example | Incorrect Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singular subject = Singular verb | She works hard. | She work hard. |
| 2 | Plural subject = Plural verb | They play cricket. | They plays cricket. |
| 3 | Two singular subjects joined by “and” = Plural verb | My brother and sister are talented. | My brother and sister is talented. |
| 4 | Each/Every/Everyone = Singular verb | Each student has a notebook. | Each student have a notebook. |
| 5 | Either/Neither (of) = Singular verb | Neither answer is correct. | Neither answer are correct. |
| 6 | “One of the…” = Singular verb | One of the boys has a bicycle. | One of the boys have a bicycle. |
| 7 | Collective noun = Usually singular | The team wins the match. | The team win the match. |
| 8 | Distances/Amounts = Singular verb | Five kilometers is a long walk. | Five kilometers are a long walk. |
| 9 | “There/Here” + Verb = Verb agrees with subject | There are many books. | There is many books. |
| 10 | Titles/Subjects (singular form) = Singular verb | “Mathematics” is interesting. | Mathematics are interesting. |
🚫 Common Mistakes in Verb Concord
- “Each of the players have a jersey.” ❌
✔ Correct: “Each of the players has a jersey.” - “Neither of the options are good.” ❌
✔ Correct: “Neither of the options is good.” - “The list of items are long.” ❌
✔ Correct: “The list of items is long.”
📝 Exercises
🟩 Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with correct verb forms.
- The bouquet of roses ___ (smell) fresh.
- Neither the students nor the teacher ___ (know) the answer.
- Each of the boys ___ (have/has) a pen.
- Ten miles ___ (is/are) a long distance to run.
- My friend and guide ___ (is/are) arriving soon.
🟨 Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Sentence
A. The committee decides on the rules.
B. The committee decide on the rules.
✔ Correct: A
A. One of my friends are an artist.
B. One of my friends is an artist.
✔ Correct: B
A. Neither of the books is available.
B. Neither of the books are available.
✔ Correct: A
🟦 Exercise 3: Identify the Error
- The number of students have increased.
- Each player and coach are respected.
- Measles are a common disease.
✔ Corrected:
- The number of students has increased.
- Each player and coach is respected.
- Measles is a common disease.
🎯 Tips to Remember
- Ignore prepositional phrases when deciding the subject (e.g., “The box of chocolates is…”)
- Identify the true subject (avoid getting confused by words in between)
- Watch out for collective nouns and phrases like “each,” “either,” and “neither”
📌 Conclusion
Verb concord is one of the most essential grammar rules in English writing and speaking. A solid grasp of subject–verb agreement makes your sentences clearer, more accurate, and grammatically correct. Practice regularly with examples, cloze tests, and exercises to master it.