SUBJECT- VERB AGREEMENT (SYNTAX) Part-19

  Syntax (Subject-Verb Agreement)

A verb must agree with its subject in each and every condition.

• If the subject is singular, verb must be in the singular form.

• If the subject is plural, verb must be in the plural form.

Singular Verbs Plural Verbs

         Is                        Are

        Was                      Were

        Has                       Have

        Had                        had

        Sings                Sing

Note- We use s/es in the noun to make plural and in the verb to make singular.

Singular Plural

Singular                  plural

Boy (noun)      Boys (noun)

Mango (noun) Mangoes (noun)

Plays (verb)     Play (verb)

Goes (verb)     Go (verb)

Rule1. Two singular common nouns/adjectives connected using ‘and’ carry an article before the first noun, take singular verb because they refer to the same person or thing.

1. A black and white dog were barking at me. (incorrect)

2. A black and white dog was barking at me. (correct)

3. Zaid is a very good singer and a dancer. (incorrect)

4. Zaid is a very good singer and dancer. (correct)

5. The philosopher and secretory have visited the Taj Mahal recently. (incorrect) 

6. The philosopher and secretory has visited the Taj Mahal recently. (correct)

Rule2. If article is used before both nouns/adjectives, they refer to the different person/thing; therefore plural verb is used with them.

1. A black and a brown cat is living in my house. (incorrect)

2. A black and a brown cat are living in my house. (correct)

3. The poet and the writer has described the beauty of the nature in his books. (incorrect)

4. The poet and the writer have described the beauty of the nature in their books.

Rule3. ‘Each and every’ always take singular verb and pronoun.

1. Each man and each woman are doing their duty honestly. (incorrect)

2. Each man and each woman is doing his/her duty honestly. (correct)

3. Each man and woman are doing their duty honestly. (incorrect)

4. Each man and woman is doing his/her duty honestly. (correct)

5. Each man and every woman are doing their duty honestly. (incorrect)

6. Each man and every woman is doing his/her duty honestly. (correct)

Rule4. If two subjects are joined using ‘as well as, with, along with, no less than, in addition to, together with, and not, but, besides, except, rather than, accompanied by, nothing but, like, unlike, the verb and possessive adj. come according to the first subject.

Examples

1. I no less than you are responsible for this loss. (incorrect)

2. I no less than you am responsible for this loss. (correct)

3. The principal along with his students have gone to picnic. (incorrect)

4. The principal along with his students has gone to picnic. (correct)

5. Heroes like Bhagat Singh is rarely born. (incorrect)

6. Heroes like Bhagat Singh are rarely born. (correct)

Rule4. If two subject are joined using ‘either….or, neither…..nor, not only….but also, or, nor, none…but’, the verb and pronoun come according to the second subject.

Examples

1. Not only he but also his friends has given a very good account of himself in the interview. (incorrect)

2. Not only he but also his friends have given a very good account of themselves in the interview. (correct)

3. Either you or your brother have not completed your work. (incorrect)

4. Either you or your brother has not completed his work. (correct)

Rule5. Each, every, either and neither always take singular verb and pronoun.

Each of / everyone of/ Either of /Neither of+The/poss.adj.+Noun.(Plural).+Verb (singular)

Examples

1. Neither of the boys have completed their assignment. (incorrect)

2. Neither of the boys has completed his assignment. (correct)

Each /Every /Either /Neither

+Noun (singular) +Verb (singular)

Examples

1. Neither boys have completed their assignment. (incorrect)

2. Neither boy has completed his assignment. (correct)

Rule6. 

Many a/an+N.U. (singular)+Verb (singular)

Many /A great many /A good many  +

N.C. (plural) +Verb (plural)

Examples

1. Many an apple are rotting in the basket. (incorrect)

2. Many an apple is rotting in the basket. (correct)

3. A great many beggars was abounded in the plaza. (incorrect)

4. A great many beggars were abounded in the plaza. (correct)

Rule7. 

One, anyone, someone, no one, none, no body, nothing, something, anything, everything, everybody, somebody are used with the singular verb.

Examples

1. Someone have absconded with the cash from the safe. (incorrect)

2. Someone has absconded with the cash from the safe. (correct)

Rule8. 

One of /Any one of /None of /No one of +

The/poss. Adj.+N.C.(Pl) +

Verb (singular)

Examples

1. One of my friends always play pranks. (incorrect)

2. One of my friends always plays pranks. (correct)

3. One of her sister can sing a song. (incorrect)

4. One of her sisters can sing a song. (correct)

Rule 9. Each takes plural verb if plural noun or pronoun is used before it.

Examples

1. We each has android phones. (incorrect)

2. We each have android phones. (correct)

Rule 10. 

A number of /A great number of /

A large number of /A variety of + N.C.(Plural) +Verb (Plural)

Examples

1. A number of students preparing for SSC and Bank is rising over the year. (incorrect)

2. A number of students preparing for SSC and Bank are rising over the year.(correct)

Rule 11.

The number of/ The great number of/

The large number of +N.C.(Plural) +

Verb (Singular)

Examples

1. The number of clubs are growing faster than the number of members. (incorrect)

2. The number of clubs is growing faster than the number of members.

Rule 12. All and some can be used with both singular and plural verb according to the sense and nouns coming after them.

All/Some.+N. C. (Plural) + verb (plural)

All/some+N. U. (Singular)+Verb (singular)

Examples

1. Some man are born great. (incorrect)

2. Some men are born great. (correct)

Rule 13. 

The percentage of /One third of /

Three fourths of /The rest of/

A quarter of /A half of /

30/40/50 etc. percent of

+

(1.)N. C. (Plural).....verb(plural)

(2.)N.U. (Singular)......verb(singular)

Examples

1. One third of shoulders is deployed at Kashmir. (incorrect)

2. One third of shoulders are deployed at Kashmir. (correct)

3. Two third of householders in this company live in mortgaged house. (incorrect)

4. Two thirds of householders in this company live in mortgaged house. (correct)

5. Ten percent of people speaks English in my colony. (incorrect)

6. Ten percent of people speak English in my colony. (correct)

Rule 14.

 

Most of /Some/some of /Enough/ enough of /Plenty/plenty of /A lot of/ lots of

+

(1)N.C. (Plural)...verb(plural)

(2)N.U. (Singular).....verb(singular)

Examples

1. Plenty of kites was flying in the sky. (incorrect)

2. Plenty of kites were flying in the sky. (correct)

3. Plenty of food have been wasted. (incorrect)

4. Plenty of food has been wasted. (correct)

Rule 15:- These nouns are always used in the plural form with the singular verb because they are singular in meaning.

Economics, politics, physics, mathematics, ethics, summons, innings, mumps, measles, rickets, billiards, athletics, classics, news, The Arabian Nights.

1. Politics are not my cup of tea. (use- is )

2. The Arabian Nights are a collection of tales from Islamic Golden Age. (use- is)

Rule 16:- If two nouns are connected with ‘of’ we use verb according to the first noun.

Examples

1. The colour of the flags are very attractive. (incorrect)

2. The colour of the flags is very attractive. (correct)

Rule 17:- These nouns are always used in plural form with plural verb.

Scissors, binoculars, alms, spectacles, belongings, tongs, pincers, bellows, trousers, pants, shorts, goggles, sunglasses, gallows, congratulations, lodgings, proceeds, regards, surroundings, thanks, wages, goods.

Examples

1. The proceeds was divided between them. (use- were)

2. The beggars were pullulated in the plaza and alms was given to them. ( use- were)

3. Where is your trousers? (use- are)

Rule 18:-These nouns are always used in  singular form with  singular verb.

Scenery, poetry, luggage, furniture, work, advice, information, equipment, bread, food, baggage, homage, percentage, crockery, jewellery, stationary, machinery, hair etc.

Examples

1. The scenery of Goa are arresting. (use- is)

2. Where are your luggage ? (use- is)

Rule 19:-These nouns are used in the singular form with the plural verb because they look like singular but give the meaning of plural.

 People, cattle, poultry, clergy, children, vermin, peasantry, gentry, cavalry, infantry, artillery and police.

Examples

1. Police is also looking for the second can. (use- are)

2. Poutry lays eggs and is used for food to a great extent. (use – lay & are)

3. Cattle is grazing in the meadow. (use- are)

Rule 20:- These nouns remain the same in both singular and plural form.

Sheep, deer, cod, salmon, fish, crew, team, jury, series, counsel.

Examples

1. The sheep was grazing in the meadow. (one sheep)

2. The sheep were grazing in the meadow. (more than one)

3. A hunter was chasing five deers that were running toward the forest. ( use- deer)

FINITE AND NON- FINITE VERBS (Part-18)

                   

                          Verb       

                     

 

                             

The word ‘verb’ has been derived from the Latin ‘verbum’ which means 'word'.

 A Verb is used to tell something about a person or thing.

                              

                    Types of Verbs     

                        

                 .             Verb            .

 1-  Finite Verb          2-   Non- Finite verb

                 .         Finite Verb      .  

 1- Main verb            2-  Auxiliary verb

               .            Main Verb         .

1-Transitive verb    2-  Intransitive verb

            .         Auxiliary Verb       .

1-  Primary Auxiliary  2- Modal Auxiliary

                   NON- FINITE VERB

                     Infinitive

                     Gerund

                     Participle

 Transitive verb:- It is a verb that denotes an action which passes over from the subject to an object.

Examples

1. She is writing a letter. (what)

2. He is teaching his brother. (whom)

Note- When we get the answer of ‘what or whom’, the verb becomes transitive as

Example

1. What is she writing? 

The answer is letter that means the verb is transitive.

2. Whom is he teaching? 

The answer is his brother, so the verb is transitive.

 2. Intransitive verb:- It is a verb that does not denote any action which passes over to an object.

Examples

     1. He was standing at the gate.

     2. She is running very fast.

Note- In the above two sentences, we don’t get the answer of ‘What or Whom’ that’s why they are intransitive verbs.

Rule1:- Most transitive verbs take a single object but such transitive verbs as give, ask, offer, promise, tell, buy, purchase, show etc. take two objects (direct & indirect) after them.

i. Indirect object:- It denotes the person to whom something is given or done.

ii. Direct object:- It is generally used to indicate something.

S.N.      subject          Verb    Indirect object Direct object

1.      I              gave                  You                  a book

2.         She told                    me                      a secret

3.          He       bought             her                     a novel

4.       Sonia explained        me                     a story

Rule2:- If the direct object is used before indirect object, it must be followed by a suitable preposition.

S.N.  Subject  Verb    Direct object      Prep    Indirect object

1.            I         gave a book                to        you

2.         She    told    a secret             to       me

3.       He     bought a novel            for      me

Rule 3:- Some verbs can be used as both transitive and intransitive.

       Used transitively                              Used intransitively

1. A small hole can sink the ship         1. The ship sank suddenly.

2. Why don’t you ring the bell on time?  2. The bell is ringing                                                                                 slowly

3. Please stop the car.                             3. The car stopped slowly.                                                                               

4. She often speaks the truth.               4. She speaks fluently.

5. I feel a severe pain in my leg.          5. How do you feel here?

 

    Some confusing pairs of verbs

1. Bear       bore                    borne      - To give birth

Bear               bore                    born         -  to tolerate

2. Fall        fell                       fallen        -  to descend freely

 Fell               felled                  felled        -  to bring sth down

3. Find      found                  found        -  to come across

Found          founded              founded    -  to establish

4. Fly        flew                      flown          -  to move in air

  

Flow             flowed                 flowed        -  to move

 

5.Grind        ground                ground        -  t  o reduce to power

Ground        grounded           grounded    -  to bring to the ground

6. Hang    hanged                hanged         -  to execute sb.

Hang            hung                    hung            -  to suspend from peg.

7. Lie        lied                      lied              -  To tell an untruth

Lie                lay                       lain               -  to be ina horizontal position

Lay               laid                      laid         - to keep in a horizontal position/   to  hatch eggs

8. Rend      rent                   rent              - to tear

Rent               rented               rented          -  to grant possession in lieu of a fixed amount

9. Rise        rose                   risen              -  to get up

Raise              raised               raised            -  to uplift

10. See        saw                   seen               - to  perceive by sight

Saw                sawed              sawed/sawn   -  to cut

11. Wind    wound              wound            -  to wrap/coil

Wound          wounded          wounded         -  to injure

Examples

1. He was borne in a poor family but brought up in an affluent family. (incorrect)

2. He was born in a poor family but brought up in an affluent family. (correct)

3. The woodcutter fell trees while his son gathered the wood. (incorrect)

4. The woodcutter felled trees while his son gathered the wood. (correct)

5. The university was found in 1950 when India was not self dependent in many aspects. (incorrect)

6. The university was founded in 1950 when India was not self dependent in many aspects. (correct)

7. There are people who want to humiliate you and ground you down. (incorrect)

8. There are people who want to humiliate you and grind you down. (correct)

9. Having considered pros and cons of the matter, the jury came to the final decision that the criminal should be hung. (incorrect)

10. Having considered pros and cons of the matter, the jury came to the final decision that the criminal should be hanged. (correct)

11. He lay his luggage aside and lay down to rest for a while. (incorrect)

12. He laid his luggage aside and lay down to rest for a while. (correct)

13. Having completed his work, he laid down to take a rest. (incorrect)

14. Having completed his work, he lay down to take a rest. (correct)

15. Rise your hands if you agree to what I say. (incorrect)

16. Raise your hands if you agree to what I say. (correct)

17. The river has flown out of its banks. (incorrect)

18. The river has flowed out of its banks. (correct)

                      

                      Non-Finite verb

     Infinitive            Participle               Gerund

1. Infinitive:- An infinitive is the base form of a verb that is generally preceded by ‘to’.

Examples

1. He has decided to visit Nainital.

2. They have decided to visit Nainital.

3. Zaid and Saif have decided to visit Nainital.

4. We have decided to visit Nainital.

Note- ‘To visit’ is an infinitive and it remains the same whether the subject is singular or plural while finite verbs keep changing with the subject you can clearly see in the above sentences.

                            

                          Use of Infinitive

1. As the subject of a verb-

Examples

a. To make mistakes is natural.

b. To tell a lie is bad habit.

2. As the object of a transitive verb.

Examples

a. She likes to sing a song.

b. He does not want to disclose the secret.

3. As the complement of a verb.

Examples

a. His greatest happiness to get a job.

b. He is to write a letter.

4. As the object of a preposition.

Examples

a. It is about to rain.

b. You have no choice but (except) to speak the truth.

5. As an object complement.

Examples

a. He bought a pen to write with.

b. She wants him to go.

6. To qualify a verb, usually to express purpose/ cause.

Examples

a. She came to sell her car. (purpose)

b. We eat to live. (purpose)

c. Her mother wept to see her daughter run over by a car. (cause)

7. To qualify an adjective.

Examples

a. The girls are curious to know.

b. She is glad to see him.

8. To qualify a noun.

Examples

a. I have written this book to be read.

b. This is the time to go home.

            Some Important Rules

Rule1:- Some verbs are generally followed by the infinitive form of a verb.

Agree, attempt, begin, choose, continue, care, cease, decide, determine, desire, dislike, endeavor, expect, fear, forget, hate, hope, intend, like, love, learn, offer, propose, prefer, promise, remember, try, wish, want.

Examples

1. She wants to read this book.

2. He forgot to call his friend yesterday.

3. Have you learnt how to drive a bike?

Rule2:- Some verbs are used with the infinitive without ‘to’ or with bare infinitive.

Se, help, dare, need, make, let, and bid.

Examples

1. He made me to sing a song. (incorrect)

2. He won’t let the police to investigate the case. (incorrect)

3. He won’t let the police investigate the case. (correct)

4. You need not to worry about this. (incorrect)

5. You need not worry about this. (correct)

Note- When ‘need and dare’ are used as main verbs we can use infinitive with ‘to’ after them. See the chapter of Auxiliary verb.

Rule3:- Would rather, rather than, sooner than, had better and had rather are followed by the infinitive without ‘to’.(1st Form of a verb)

Examples

1. He would rather to come by car as compared to bike. (incorrect)

2. He would rather come by car as compared to bike. (correct)

3. You had better to catch the train for Delhi. (incorrect)

4. You had better catch the train for Delhi. (correct)

5. We would rather to die than suffer so. (incorrect)

6. We would rather die than suffer so. (correct)

Rule4:- Will, shall, should, would, can, could, may, might and must are also followed by the infinitive without ‘to’. (1st Form of a verb)

Examples

1. You will to reach the station on time. (incorrect)

2. You will reach the station on time. (correct)

3. Could you to lend me ear? (incorrect)

4. Could you lend me ear? (incorrect)

Active                                                         Passive

To write                                                      to be written

To have written                                         to have been written

1. I want to write a letter. (active)

2. I want a letter to be written. (passive)

                      Participle

A participle is a word that acts as a verb as well as an adjective. It is formed by an adding ‘ing’ in the first form of a verb as dance + ing = dancing

There are three types of participles.

1. V1st + ing = present participle as drinking.

2. V3rd = past participle   as drunken.

3. Having + V3rd = perfect participle as having drunken.

Examples-

1. We saw a girl singing a song. (present participle)

2. Drinking water is available everywhere. (present participle)

3. He is taking classes for spoken English. (past participle)

4. Shortlisted candidates can be called for interview. (past participle)

5. Having taken breakfast, he went to school. (perfect participle)

6. Having written a letter, he sent it to his friend. (perfect participle)

                     Some important rules

Rule1:- Some verbs are followed by a noun/ pronoun + present participle.

 Listen, look, hear, see, smell, observe, perceive, catch, keep, leave and start.

Examples

1. She left the tap run. (incorrect) 

2. She left the tap running. (correct) 

3. I saw him danced. (incorrect)

4. I saw him dancing. (correct)

Rule2:- Some verbs are followed by a noun / pronoun + past participle.

  Like, prefer, wish, want, get and have.

Examples

1. He has got his marriage registering. (incorrect)

2. He has got his marriage registered. (correct)

3. Saif likes his bike fine tuning. (incorrect)

4. Saif likes his bike fine-tuned. (correct)

Rule3:- Don’t use present participle for the action that is not happening at the time speaking.

Examples

1. He took my book on Monday, returning it 2 days later. (incorrect)

2. He took my book on Monday and returned it 2 days later. (correct)

          Correct use of participle

Examples

1. Being a rainy day, we did not go to school. (incorrect)

2. It being a rainy day, we did not go to school. (correct)

3. Being a beautiful girl, everybody wants to talk to her. (incorrect)

4. She being a beautiful girl, everybody wants to talk to her. (correct)

5. While crossing the road, a car ran down an old man. (incorrect)

6. While crossing the road, an old man was run down by a car. (correct)

7. While an old man was crossing the road, a car ran down him. (incorrect)

8. Having talked to her over the phone, an essay was written by me. (incorrect)

9. Having talked to her over the phone, I wrote an essay. (correct)

Rule4:- We generally use V1st + ing form of a verb after all preposition except ‘to’.

Examples

1. She insisted on go there, though her husband forbade her. (incorrect)

2. She insisted on going there, though her husband forbade her. (correct)

3. Her mother prevented her from go out at night. (incorrect)

4. Her mother prevented her from going out at night. (correct)

                         Gerund

Gerund: -  A gerund is that form of a verb which ends in ‘ing’ and has the force of a noun and a verb.

           See the following examples-

1. Sonia is drinking water. (present continuous tense)

2. Sonia has bought water for drinking. (gerund)

3. Sonia has bought drinking water. (present participle)

Rule1:- A ‘noun or pronoun’ coming before gerund should be in the possessive case.

Examples

1. I don’t like Zaid asking me personal questions. (incorrect)

2. I don’t like Zaid’s asking me personal questions. (correct)

3. It depends upon you passing the exam with flying colours. (incorrect)

4. It depends upon your passing the exam with flying colours. (correct)

Rule2:- Some verbs are followed by gerund.

 Like, avoid, detest, enjoy, help, keep, prevent, risk, stop and mind.

Examples

1. We risked losing a lot of money.

2. Why do you avoid meeting me?

Rule3:- These words are used with gerund.

Be used to, look forward to, accustomed to, averse to, with a view to, addicted to, devoted to, in addition to, object to, owing to, given to, taken to, prone to, is no use, tired of, is worth + gerund. (V1st + ing)

Examples

1. I have been looking forward to meet you for 2 hours. (incorrect)

2. I have been looking forward to meeting you for 2 hours. (incorrect)

3. He addicted to smoke. (incorrect)

4. He addicted to smoking. (correct)

5. She is used to get up with the lark. (incorrect)

6. She is used to getting up with the lark. (correct)