Class 10 English Grammar: Subject–Verb Agreement (Rules, Notes, Exercises, PYQs)
Introduction
In English grammar, Subject–Verb Agreement is one of the most essential topics tested in Class 10 CBSE exams. Students often make mistakes while matching verbs with their subjects, especially in long sentences. A firm grasp of these rules not only helps in grammar sections but also in writing and editing tasks like letter writing and paragraph correction.
This article covers clear rules, examples, important questions, and 30 practice exercises (with some previous year questions) to help Class 10 students master this topic for their board exams.
What is Subject–Verb Agreement?
Subject–Verb Agreement means that the verb must agree with the subject in number and person.
- Number means singular or plural.
- Person means first, second, or third person.
✅ Example:
- He plays football every evening. (Singular subject → singular verb)
- They play football every evening. (Plural subject → plural verb)
Golden Rules of Subject–Verb Agreement (Class 10 Notes)
Let’s go through the important CBSE rules one by one with examples.
Rule 1: A singular subject takes a singular verb.
- She writes neatly.
- A boy runs fast.
Rule 2: A plural subject takes a plural verb.
- They play cricket.
- The girls sing well.
Rule 3: When two subjects are joined by ‘and’, the verb is plural.
- Ram and Shyam are friends.
- The teacher and the principal were present.
Exception: When the two subjects refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular. (Very Important)
- Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.
Rule 4: When two subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
- Either Ravi or his friends have done it.
- Neither the teachers nor the principal was responsible.
Rule 5: Words like ‘each’, ‘every’, ‘either’, ‘neither’, ‘anyone’, ‘everyone’, ‘someone’ take a singular verb.
- Each of the boys is intelligent.
- Everyone loves success.
Rule 6: Collective nouns take a singular verb when considered as one unit.
- The jury has given its verdict.
- The team is playing well.
Exception: When members act individually, use a plural verb.
- The jury were divided in their opinion.
Rule 7: Uncountable nouns take singular verbs.
- Milk is good for health.
- Honesty is the best policy.
Rule 8: Titles of books, movies, or subjects take a singular verb.
- “Gulliver’s Travels” is an interesting book.
- Mathematics is my favorite subject.
Rule 9: Nouns ending in ‘s’ but singular in meaning take a singular verb.
- News is spreading fast.
- Economics is a tough subject.
Rule 10: When a plural noun denotes quantity, distance, or time, use a singular verb.
- Ten kilometers is a long distance.
- Five years is a long period.
Rule 11: When using words like ‘one of’, always take a singular verb.
- One of the students is absent.
Rule 12: With fractions or percentages, the verb agrees with the noun following “of”.
- 50% of the cake has been eaten.
- 50% of the people have left.
Rule 13: When the subject is separated from the verb by phrases like ‘along with’, ‘as well as’, or ‘in addition to’, the verb agrees with the first subject.
- The teacher, along with the students, is attending the seminar.
Rule 14: Words like ‘none’, ‘some’, ‘all’, ‘most’ can take singular or plural verbs depending on the meaning.
- All the milk is finished.
- All the students are present.
Rule 15: ‘There’ and ‘Here’ are never subjects; the verb agrees with the real subject following it.
- There is a pen on the table.
- There are many books in the bag.
Rule 16: Indefinite plural subjects like ‘people’, ‘police’, ‘cattle’ take plural verbs.
- The police are investigating the case.
Rule 17: When expressing wishes or hypothetical situations, use the plural form of ‘be’ with singular subjects.
- I wish I were a bird.
Quick Revision Chart
| Type of Subject | Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Noun | Singular Verb | He runs fast. |
| Plural Noun | Plural Verb | They run fast. |
| Collective Noun (as one unit) | Singular Verb | The team is winning. |
| Separated by “and” | Plural Verb | Ram and Sita are happy. |
| Separated by “or/nor” | Nearest Subject | Either Ravi or his friends have left. |
Exercise 1 – Identify the Correct Verb
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence.
- The boy ___ (play/plays) football every day.
- Either Ritu or her friends ___ (is/are) responsible.
- Bread and butter ___ (is/are) served for breakfast.
- None of the money ___ (was/were) missing.
- The police ___ (has/have) arrested the thief.
Answers: 1 plays, 2 are, 3 is, 4 was, 5 have
Exercise 2 – Board Pattern Questions (30 Questions Including PYQs)
MCQs
Q1. Each of the students ___ completed the project.
a) have b) has c) are d) were
Answer: b) has
Q2. Neither the teacher nor the students ___ present in class today.
a) was b) were c) has d) is
Answer: b) were
Q3. (CBSE PYQ 2020) The news ___ shocking.
a) are b) was c) were d) have
Answer: b) was
Q4. The jury ___ divided in their opinion.
a) was b) were c) has d) have
Answer: b) were
Q5. A bouquet of roses ___ placed on the table.
a) are b) is c) were d) have
Answer: b) is
Q6. My brother, along with his friends, ___ going to the match.
a) are b) were c) is d) have
Answer: c) is
Q7. Ten kilometers ___ a long distance to walk.
a) are b) was c) is d) were
Answer: c) is
Q8. (CBSE PYQ 2022) Neither of the two books ___ interesting.
a) is b) are c) were d) have
Answer: a) is
Q9. All the students ___ submitted their assignments.
a) has b) have c) is d) was
Answer: b) have
Q10. Every boy and every girl ___ invited to the event.
a) were b) are c) was d) have
Answer: c) was
Q11. Mathematics ___ my favorite subject.
a) is b) are c) were d) has
Answer: a) is
Q12. (CBSE PYQ 2021) The pair of scissors ___ missing from the drawer.
a) are b) were c) is d) have
Answer: c) is
Q13. A number of students ___ taken part in the competition.
a) has b) have c) was d) were
Answer: b) have
Q14. The number of students in the class ___ fifty.
a) are b) is c) were d) have
Answer: b) is
Q15. The quality of apples ___ improved this year.
a) have b) has c) were d) are
Answer: b) has
Q16. Either Ramesh or his brothers ___ done this work.
a) have b) has c) is d) was
Answer: a) have
Q17. The police ___ investigating the case.
a) is b) was c) are d) has
Answer: c) are
Q18. None of the students ___ submitted the form yet.
a) has b) have c) are d) were
Answer: a) has
Q19. The cattle ___ grazing in the field.
a) is b) are c) was d) has
Answer: b) are
Q20. My friend and guide ___ always helped me.
a) have b) has c) are d) were
Answer: b) has
Q21. Neither of the answers ___ correct.
a) are b) is c) were d) have
Answer: b) is
Q22. (Sample Paper) The furniture in this room ___ very old.
a) is b) are c) were d) have
Answer: a) is
Q23. There ___ many reasons for his success.
a) is b) are c) was d) has
Answer: b) are
Q24. Each of the girls ___ awarded a certificate.
a) were b) have c) was d) are
Answer: c) was
Q25. (CBSE PYQ 2019) The team ___ won the championship.
a) are b) were c) has d) have
Answer: c) has
Q26. My father and mother ___ doctors.
a) is b) are c) was d) has
Answer: b) are
Q27. Five years ___ a long time to wait.
a) are b) is c) were d) has
Answer: b) is
Q28. Not only the students but also the teacher ___ responsible.
a) are b) is c) were d) have
Answer: b) is
Q29. The jury ___ given its verdict.
a) have b) has c) are d) were
Answer: b) has
Q30. (CBSE Sample 2024) The committee ___ not yet reached a decision.
a) are b) were c) has d) have
Answer: c) has
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
- (CBSE 2020) The number of players in the team ___ ten. → is
- (CBSE 2021) Neither the teacher nor the students ___ present. → were
- (CBSE 2019) Mathematics ___ my favorite subject. → is
Common Mistakes Students Make
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| She don’t like coffee. | She doesn’t like coffee. |
| The team are winning. | The team is winning. |
| Everyone know the answer. | Everyone knows the answer. |
| My brother along with his friends are coming. | My brother along with his friends is coming. |
FAQs on Subject–Verb Agreement (Class 10)
Q1. What is the easiest way to identify subject–verb agreement?
👉 Find the subject and decide whether it is singular or plural. Then match the verb accordingly.
Q2. Is subject–verb agreement in the Class 10 CBSE grammar syllabus?
✅ Yes, it is part of the Grammar Section and appears in editing, omission, and gap-filling questions.
Q3. How many marks questions come from this topic?
Usually 2–3 marks appear in grammar questions, often as MCQs or gap-filling in the CBSE Paper.
Q4. Can collective nouns take plural verbs?
Yes, if members act individually: The jury were divided in their opinion.
Q5. Which rule is most tested in CBSE papers?
Rules related to either/or, neither/nor, and each/everyone are most frequently tested.
Summary Notes
- Singular subject → singular verb
- Plural subject → plural verb
- ‘Each’, ‘Every’, ‘Everyone’ → singular verb
- ‘Or/Nor’ → verb agrees with nearest subject
- Collective noun as a unit → singular verb
- Words like news, mathematics → singular verb
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