Language Skill for budding Managers BBA Program AEC, Agra

AGREEMENT OF THE VERB WITH THE SUBJECT

1.

A Verb must agree with its Subject in Number and Person.

Often, by what is called the Error of Proximity, the verb is made to agree in number with a noun near it instead of with its proper subject. This should be avoided as shown in the following examples:

(i) (ii) (iii) 1. (i) (ii) (iii)

The quality of the mangoes was not good. The introduction of tea and coffee and such other beverages has not been without some effect. The state of his affairs was such as to sause anxiety to his creditors.

Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by and require a plural verb; as, Gold and Silver are precious metals. Fire and water do not agree. He and I were playing.

But if the nouns suggest one idea to the mind, or refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular; as,

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 1. (i) (ii) (iii) 1. (i) (ii) (iii)

Time and tide waits for no man. The horse and carriage is at the door. Bread and butter is his only food. Honour and glory is his reward.

Words joined to a singular subject by with, as, etc., are parenthetical. The verb should therefore be put in the singular; as, The house, with its contents, was insured. The Mayor, with his councilors, is to be present. The ship, with its crew, was lost.

Two or more singular subject connected by or nor require a singular verb; as. No nook or corner was le ft unexplored Our happiness or our sorrow is largely due to our own actions. Either the cat our the dog has been here.

But when one of the Subject joined by or or nor is plural, the verb must be plural s, and the plural subject should be placed nearest the verb ; as. Neither the Chairman nor the Directors are present

1.

When the subjects joined by or or nor are of different persons, verb agrees with the nearer; as. Either he or I am mistaken. Neither you nor he is to blame. But it is better to avoid these and to write:

(i) (ii) 1. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 1. 2.

He is mistaken, or else I am. We are mistaken, or else is is.

Either , neither, each, everyone , many, must be followed a singular verb ; as, Neither of the two men was very strong. Each of these substances is found in India Every one of the boys loves to ride. Many a man has done so.

Two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by and need a singular verb; as. Every boy and every girls was given a packet of sweets. Some nouns which are plural in form but singular in meaning need a singular verb; as

(i) (ii) (iii) 1. 1. (i)

The news is true Mathematics is a branch of study in every school Politics is his business

Some nouns witch are singular in form, but plural in meaning take a plural verb; as According to the present market rate twelve dozen cost one hundred rupees

None though properly singular , commonly takes a plural verb ;as

(1) None are so deaf as those who will not hear 1.

A Collective nouns takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as one whole plural verb when the individual of which it is composed or thought of as.

(i) (ii) 1. (i) (ii) 1. (i) (ii) (iii)

The committee has issued its report. The committee are divided on one minor point

When the plural nouns is a proper name for some single object or some collective unit it must be singular verb ;as The Arabian Nights is still a great favorite. The United States has a big navy.

When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a hole, the verb is singular Fifteen Mounties is allowed to each speaker Fifty thousand rupees is a large sum Ten kilometers is a long walk.