Subject-Verb Concord, also known as Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA), is a fundamental grammar rule that requires the verb in a sentence to match its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). For Class 9, you need to master the core rule and its common exceptions.
Core Subject-Verb Concord Rules
1. The Basic Rule
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Singular Subject takes a Singular Verb. (The singular verb in the simple present tense usually ends in '-s' or '-es'.)
- Example: The dog runs quickly.
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Plural Subject takes a Plural Verb. (The plural verb is the base form, without '-s' or '-es'.)
- Example: The dogs run quickly.
2. Subjects Joined by 'And'
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If two or more subjects are joined by 'and', they generally take a Plural Verb.
- Example: Rahul and Seema are going to the market.
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Exception: If two subjects joined by 'and' refer to the same person or thing, they take a Singular Verb.
- Example: The captain and coach is absent today. (Implies one person holds both roles.)
- Example: Bread and butter is his favorite breakfast. (Treated as a single unit/dish.)
3. Subjects Joined by 'Or' or 'Nor' (Proximity Rule)
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When subjects are joined by 'or,' 'nor,' 'either...or,' or 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it.
- Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
- Example: Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.
4. Indefinite Pronouns (Always Singular)
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Indefinite pronouns like each, every, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody are always treated as singular and take a Singular Verb.
- Example: Everybody enjoys a good film.
- Example: Each of the boys has a new book.
5. Phrases Separating Subject and Verb
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Words or phrases like 'along with,' 'as well as,' 'together with,' 'besides,' etc., placed between the subject and the verb do not change the number of the subject. The verb agrees with the main subject (the one mentioned first).
- Example: The politician, along with his staff, is expected shortly.
Special Cases
6. Collective Nouns
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Collective nouns (team, family, committee, group, jury) are usually treated as singular (the group acts as one unit) and take a Singular Verb.
- Example: The team is performing well.
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They take a plural verb if the members of the group are acting as individuals.
- Example: The jury are arguing among themselves about the verdict.
7. Plural in Form but Singular in Meaning
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Nouns that look plural (end in 's') but refer to a single subject, field of study, or title take a Singular Verb.
- Examples: Mathematics is a difficult subject. The news is shocking. Measles is contagious.
8. Titles, Time, Money, and Distance
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Titles of books/movies, and expressions of money, time, or distance when considered a single unit, take a Singular Verb.
- Example: Ten kilometers is too far to walk.
- Example: "The Great Gatsby" is a classic novel.
9. 'One of the...'
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The subject in the phrase 'one of the + plural noun' is always the singular word 'one,' so the verb is singular.
- Example: One of the glasses is broken.
10. Sentences beginning with 'Here' or 'There'
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In sentences starting with 'here' or 'there,' the verb agrees with the actual subject that follows the verb.
- Example: There are three books on the table.
- Example: Here is the assignment.
Subject-Verb Concord Practice Questions (Class 9)
Choose the correct verb form from the options given in brackets to complete the sentence.
1.
The new teacher _____ all the students. (know/knows)
Answer: knows (Singular Subject)
2.
The bright stars in the sky _____ beautiful. (look/looks)
Answer: look (Plural Subject)
3.
My mother and father _____ travelling abroad. (is/are)
Answer: are (Compound Subject - Plural Verb)
4.
Rice and curry _____ a popular dish in India. (is/are)
Answer: is (Single Idea/Unit - Singular Verb)
5.
Neither the parents nor the children _____ at home. (was/were)
Answer: were ('children' is closest and plural)
6.
Either the students or the teacher _____ the wrong answer. (give/gives)
Answer: gives ('teacher' is closest and singular)
7.
Everyone in the room _____ the new rules. (know/knows)
Answer: knows ('Everyone' is always singular)
8.
Each of the candidates _____ a resume. (submit/submits)
Answer: submits ('Each' is always singular)
9.
The actor, along with his crew, _____ late. (was/were)
Answer: was ('actor' is the singular main subject)
10.
The students, as well as the principal, _____ attending the event. (is/are)
Answer: are ('students' is the plural main subject)
11.
The recent news _____ quite alarming. (was/were)
Answer: was ('news' is singular in meaning)
12.
Economics _____ taught by Professor Sen. (is/are)
Answer: is (A single field of study - Singular Verb)
13.
The whole class _____ silent during the lecture. (was/were)
Answer: was (Class acting as one unit - Singular Verb)
14.
Ten kilometers _____ not a very long distance for a trained runner. (is/are)
Answer: is (Distance as a single unit - Singular Verb)
15.
Fifty thousand rupees _____ required for the trip. (was/were)
Answer: was (Amount as a single unit - Singular Verb)
16.
One of the books _____ missing from the shelf. (is/are)
Answer: is ('One' is the singular subject)
17.
There _____ many reasons for her success. (is/are)
Answer: are (Actual subject 'reasons' is plural)
18.
There _____ only one sandwich left in the box. (was/were)
Answer: was (Actual subject 'sandwich' is singular)
19.
All of the water in the jug _____ pure. (is/are)
Answer: is ('water' is uncountable $\rightarrow$ Singular Verb)
20.
Some of the workers _____ gone home early. (has/have)
Answer: have ('workers' is countable/plural $\rightarrow$ Plural Verb)
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