ODYSS MIRACLES REVIEW CENTER
CIVIL SERVICE PASSERS AND TOPNOTCHERS 2024
1. Singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects
require plural verbs: This is the fundamental rule of subjectverb agreement.
Ex.
The cat (singular subject) jumps (singular verb).
The cats (plural subject) jump (plural verb).
2. Singular indefinite pronouns require singular verbs: Indefinite
pronouns like "everyone," "someone," "anyone," "nobody,"
"everybody," etc., are considered singular and require singular
verbs.
Ex.
Everyone is invited to the party.
3. Singular collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs
depending on context: Collective nouns, which refer to groups of
people or things, can take singular or plural verbs depending on
whether the group is seen as a single unit or as individuals.
Ex.
The team is practicing together. (Singular, viewed as a single
unit)
The team are arguing among themselves. (Plural, viewed as
individuals)
4. Compound subjects joined by "and" usually take plural verbs: When
two or more subjects are joined by "and," the verb is typically
plural.
Ex.
John and Mary are going to the store.
5. When the subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees
with the subject closer to the verb: When subjects are joined by
"or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closer to it.
Ex.
Neither the cat nor the dogs are outside. (Plural verb because of
"dogs")
Either the dogs or the cat is outside. (Singular verb because of
"cat")
CIVIL SERVICE EXAM TOPNOTCHERS 2024
ODYSS MIRACLES REVIEW CENTER
CIVIL SERVICE PASSERS AND TOPNOTCHERS 2024
6. Singular subjects connected by "or" or "nor" require a singular
verb: If both subjects are singular and connected by "or" or
"nor," the verb should be singular.
Ex.
Either pizza or salad is fine for dinner.
7. Indefinite pronouns like "each," "every," "everyone," "nobody,"
etc., are singular and require singular verbs:
Ex.
Each of the students has a book.
8. Subjects preceded by "one of" or "each of" are singular: Even
though these phrases refer to multiple items, the subject is
considered singular, and the verb should be singular.
Ex.
Each of the books is interesting.
9. Subjects preceded by "a number of" or "a majority of" are plural:
Despite the presence of "a number of" or "a majority of," the
subject is plural, and the verb should be plural.
Ex.
A number of students are waiting for the bus.
10.
Subjects followed by "plus," "minus," "together with," "as
well as," etc., do not affect the number of the subject: The verb
agrees with the original subject.
Ex.
The teacher, together with her students, is attending the
conference.
11.
Subjects that represent amounts of time, money, distance,
weight, etc., are singular: Even though these subjects may
represent multiple individual items, they are treated as
singular.
Ex.
Ten dollars is a fair price.
CIVIL SERVICE EXAM TOPNOTCHERS 2024