One wrong verb is often the whole trick in error spotting. This lesson shows how to find it fast.
This lesson covers the core agreement rules, the common traps and a step-by-step method for error-spotting questions.
- Rule: Singular with singular.
- Subject: Cross out the of phrase.
- Each: Each, every, neither: singular.
- Or / Nor: Nearer subject wins.
- There: Subject follows the verb.
- Traps: News, none, units.
What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?
What is the basic rule?
A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb.
The cat sleeps. The cats sleep. The verb changes with the subject.
Sources: Grammar Book: Subject-Verb Agreement.
How does an error-spotting question use this?
You get a sentence split into four parts. One part may have a wrong verb.
Find the subject first. Then check that the verb matches it.
Can you see the rule in action?
Take: The boy plays. The boys play. In each sentence, the verb ends the same way as the subject count.
Singular subjects need verbs like plays, is, has. Plural subjects need verbs like play, are, have.
Why this works: you only compare two things, the subject and the verb, and ignore everything else.
Example: Find the real subject
Take: The box of chocolates are on the table. Cross out the phrase of chocolates.
The subject is box, which is singular. So the sentence needs is, not are.
Why this works: a phrase after the subject does not change its number.
Check
A singular subject takes a plural verb.
Find the Real Subject
Why do students go wrong?
A phrase often sits between the subject and the verb. It tempts you to match the verb to the wrong noun.
Take: ‘A bouquet of roses lends a lovely scent.’ The subject is bouquet, not roses.
Sources: Grammar Book: Subject-Verb Agreement.
How do you avoid the trap?
Cross out the ‘of’ phrase. Read what is left.
‘A bouquet … lends a scent’ sounds right. So lends is correct.
Can you ignore the phrase in the middle?
Wrong: The box of chocolates are on the table.
Right: The box of chocolates is on the table.
Wrong: The price of the tickets have gone up.
Right: The price of the tickets has gone up.
Why this works: The subject is box, and then price. The words after “of” only describe it, so they cannot change the verb.
Check
In “A bouquet of roses lends a scent”, the subject is roses.
Each, Every, Neither and Either
Which words always take a singular verb?
Each is used before a singular noun and takes a singular verb: Each student has an email address.
Every works the same way. Every boy and girl was given a prize.
Neither and either also take a singular verb: Neither candidate was selected.
Sources: Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries: each_1; Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries: every_1; Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries: neither_1.
What happens with “of”?
Each of the players has a medal. The subject is each, not players.
Neither of and either of are followed by a plural noun. In formal writing the verb stays singular.
Sources: Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries: either_1.
| Subject word | Verb type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Each, every | Singular | Each student has a pen. |
| Either, neither | Singular | Neither of the answers is right. |
| One of the | Singular | One of the boys is absent. |
| News, mathematics | Singular | The news is good. |
| Two subjects with and | Plural | Ravi and Sita are friends. |
Use this table as a quick check before you pick an option.
| Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Each, every, either | Singular | Each of them has a pen. |
| Neither, one, anyone | Singular | Neither of them was late. |
| Both, few, many | Plural | Both of them are ready. |
| News, mathematics | Singular | Mathematics is easy. |
These words trip up many students. Learn them as a short list.
Check
Each of the players have a medal is correct.
Either…Or and Neither…Nor
Which subject does the verb follow?
With or and nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.
Neither the teacher nor the students were present. Students is nearer, so the verb is plural.
Sources: Grammar Book: Subject-Verb Agreement.
What if the order flips?
Neither the students nor the teacher was present. Now teacher is nearer.
The verb becomes singular. Same words, different verb.
Example: Which verb fits?
Take: Either the manager or his assistants ___ responsible. The nearer subject is assistants, which is plural.
So the verb is are: Either the manager or his assistants are responsible.
Why this works: with or and nor, only the nearest subject counts.
Check
With “nor”, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
And, Along With and As Well As
What does “and” do?
Two subjects joined by and are plural. Ravi and Sita are friends.
A single idea can be an exception. Bread and butter is my breakfast.
Sources: Grammar Book: Subject-Verb Agreement.
What about “along with”?
Phrases like along with and as well as do not add to the subject.
The teacher, along with the students, is on the bus. Teacher is the subject, so is is correct.
Sources: Grammar Book: Subject-Verb Agreement.
Can you spot the extra subject?
Wrong: The captain, along with his players, are ready.
Right: The captain, along with his players, is ready.
Wrong: My sister as well as my brothers are coming.
Right: My sister as well as my brothers is coming.
Why this works: Along with and as well as only add information. The real subject is captain, and then sister.
Check
“Along with” makes the subject plural.
There Is and There Are
Where is the subject?
After here or there, the true subject comes after the verb.
There are three books on the table. Books is the subject, so are is correct.
There is a book on the table. Book is singular, so is is correct.
Sources: Grammar Book: Subject-Verb Agreement.
How do you check?
Flip the sentence in your head. Three books are there.
The flipped sentence makes the subject easy to see.
Check
In “There are three books”, the subject is books.
Words That Look Plural but Are Not
Which words fool you?
News looks plural but is uncountable. The news is surprising.
Units of time, money and distance take a singular verb. Ten dollars is a lot. Five miles is far.
Sources: Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries: news_1; Grammar Book: Subject-Verb Agreement.
What about none?
With an uncountable noun, none of takes a singular verb: None of the work was done.
With a plural noun, British English allows either a singular or a plural verb.
Sources: Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries: none_1.
Example: Which units are singular?
Take: Ten kilometres ___ a long way. The distance is one unit, so the verb is is.
Now take: Fifty rupees ___ not enough. Fifty rupees is a sum, so the verb is is.
Why this works: we think of the whole amount as one thing.
Common mistakes with agreement
Wrong: The team are winning the cup.
Right: The team is winning the cup.
Wrong: Two kilometres are a long walk.
Right: Two kilometres is a long walk.
Why this works: A team acts as one unit, and a distance is one amount. Both take a singular verb.
Check
The news are surprising is correct.
Solving a Question Step by Step
How do you solve one?
Take: ‘None of the work (A) were (B) completed (C) before the deadline (D).’
First, find the subject. It is none of the work. Work is uncountable, so the verb is singular. Part B is wrong. It should be was.
What if there is no error?
Many exams include a fourth option: No error.
Do not choose it too fast. Check each subject against its verb first.
Check
If a sentence sounds fine, you should still check the subject.
A Simple Practice Plan
How do you get fast at this?
Underline the subject in every sentence you read. Then underline its verb.
Do five error-spotting questions a day. Note which rule each miss came from.
How do you review?
Keep a short list of rules: each, every, neither, either, news, there is.
Do the quiz below. Re-read the rule for every miss.
Check
Underlining the subject helps you spot agreement errors.
Exam Traps
Match singular subjects with singular verbs.
Find the real subject; cross out the of phrase.
Each, every, neither and either are singular.
With or and nor, the nearer subject decides.
After there or here, the subject follows the verb.
News is singular; units of time and money are singular.
MCQ on Error Spotting: Subject-Verb Agreement
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Practice 16 MCQs on this topic
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