SSC CGL 2027 Error Spotting Based on Subject-Verb Agreement

SSC CGL 2027 Error Spotting Based on Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement is an important grammar topic for candidates preparing for SSC CGL 2027. Error spotting questions often test whether the subject and verb agree in number and person. A small grammatical mistake can change the correctness of an entire sentence, so understanding these rules is essential for improving accuracy in the English section.

In this article, you will learn the important rules of subject-verb agreement, common error patterns, solved examples, exam-oriented shortcuts and practice questions with answers for SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2 preparation.

1. What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-Verb Agreement means that the verb must agree with its subject in number and person. A singular subject generally takes a singular verb, while a plural subject generally takes a plural verb.

Examples:

• Incorrect: She work hard every day.
• Correct: She works hard every day.
• Incorrect: The students studies regularly.
• Correct: The students study regularly.

In the simple present tense, singular subjects such as he, she and it generally take a verb ending in -s or -es. Plural subjects usually take the base form of the verb.

2. Rule 1: Singular and Plural Subjects

A singular subject requires a singular verb, whereas a plural subject requires a plural verb. This is one of the most frequently tested rules in error spotting questions.

Examples:

• Incorrect: The teacher explain the lesson clearly.
• Correct: The teacher explains the lesson clearly.
• Incorrect: My friends lives in Delhi.
• Correct: My friends live in Delhi.

Exam Tip: Identify the main subject before checking the verb. Do not select a verb simply because a nearby noun is singular or plural.

3. Rule 2: Ignore Words Between the Subject and Verb

Words or phrases placed between the subject and the verb do not change the number of the subject. Phrases beginning with expressions such as along with, as well as, together with and in addition to usually do not make a singular subject plural.

Examples:

• Incorrect: The captain, along with the players, are ready.
• Correct: The captain, along with the players, is ready.
• Incorrect: The quality of these products are excellent.
• Correct: The quality of these products is excellent.

In the second example, the main subject is quality, not products. Therefore, the singular verb is is correct.

4. Rule 3: Each, Every, Either and Neither

Each, every, either and neither generally take singular verbs when used as subjects in standard subject-verb agreement questions.

Examples:

• Incorrect: Each of the candidates have submitted the form.
• Correct: Each of the candidates has submitted the form.
• Incorrect: Every student and teacher were present.
• Correct: Every student and teacher was present.
• Incorrect: Neither of the answers are correct.
• Correct: Neither of the answers is correct.

Exam Tip: Do not let a plural noun after of confuse you. In expressions such as each of the students, the subject is each.

5. Rule 4: Subjects Joined by Either...Or and Neither...Nor

When two subjects are connected by either...or or neither...nor, the verb generally agrees with the subject closer to it. This is commonly known as the proximity rule.

Examples:

• Incorrect: Either the manager or the employees is responsible.
• Correct: Either the manager or the employees are responsible.
• Incorrect: Neither the students nor the teacher are available.
• Correct: Neither the students nor the teacher is available.

Whenever possible, maintain parallel structure and avoid unnecessarily complicated sentences in formal writing.

6. Rule 5: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to groups, such as team, committee, family, audience and jury. In standard exam grammar, a collective noun generally takes a singular verb when the group is considered a single unit. A plural verb may be used when the members are emphasised as individuals, depending on the variety of English and context.

Examples:

• The committee has approved the proposal.
• The team is playing well.
• The family is planning a trip together.

Exam Tip: When the sentence treats the group as one unit, prefer a singular verb.

7. Rule 6: Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, no one and nobody generally take singular verbs.

Examples:

• Incorrect: Everyone have received the notice.
• Correct: Everyone has received the notice.
• Incorrect: Somebody know the answer.
• Correct: Somebody knows the answer.
• Incorrect: Nobody were willing to help.
• Correct: Nobody was willing to help.

However, pronouns such as both, few, many and several generally take plural verbs.

Examples:

• Both are correct.
• Several candidates have qualified.
• Many were absent yesterday.

8. Rule 7: Uncountable Nouns and Expressions of Quantity

Uncountable nouns such as information, advice, furniture, equipment and luggage generally take singular verbs when used as subjects.

Examples:

• Incorrect: The information are useful.
• Correct: The information is useful.
• Incorrect: The furniture were expensive.
• Correct: The furniture was expensive.
• Incorrect: The advice are helpful.
• Correct: The advice is helpful.

Expressions of time, money and distance may take singular verbs when they are treated as a single total amount or unit.

Example: Ten kilometres is a long distance to walk.

9. Rule 8: There Is and There Are

In sentences beginning with there, the verb agrees with the actual subject that follows it, not with the word there.

Examples:

• Incorrect: There is many reasons for the delay.
• Correct: There are many reasons for the delay.
• Incorrect: There are a book on the table.
• Correct: There is a book on the table.
• Correct: There are several books on the table.

Exam Tip: Look at the noun immediately following the verb and identify whether it is singular or plural.

10. Rule 9: Subjects Joined by And

Two subjects connected by and generally take a plural verb because they refer to two people or things.

Examples:

• Incorrect: Rahul and Amit is preparing for the exam.
• Correct: Rahul and Amit are preparing for the exam.
• Incorrect: Honesty and hard work leads to success.
• Correct: Honesty and hard work lead to success.

However, when two words joined by and refer to one person, one dish or a single concept, a singular verb may be appropriate depending on the meaning.

Example: Bread and butter is my usual breakfast.

11. Common Subject-Verb Agreement Errors in SSC CGL

• Choosing a verb based on a nearby noun instead of the main subject.
• Using a plural verb with everyone, each or somebody.
• Forgetting the proximity rule with either...or and neither...nor.
• Treating uncountable nouns such as information and furniture as plural.
• Using is instead of are with plural subjects in there sentences.
• Assuming that every collective noun must always take a plural verb.
• Ignoring the difference between a singular subject and a plural phrase following it.

12. Practice Questions for SSC CGL 2027

Identify the part of each sentence that contains a grammatical error. If the sentence is correct, choose the option indicating no error.

Question 1: Each of the students (A) / have completed (B) / the assignment on time (C) / No error (D).

• A) Each of the students
• B) have completed
• C) the assignment on time
• D) No error

Question 2: The quality of these products (A) / are better (B) / than expected (C) / No error (D).

• A) The quality of these products
• B) are better
• C) than expected
• D) No error

Question 3: Neither the teacher nor the students (A) / was present (B) / at the meeting (C) / No error (D).

• A) Neither the teacher nor the students
• B) was present
• C) at the meeting
• D) No error

Question 4: Everyone in the class (A) / have submitted (B) / the required documents (C) / No error (D).

• A) Everyone in the class
• B) have submitted
• C) the required documents
• D) No error

Question 5: The captain, along with his teammates, (A) / are preparing (B) / for the final match (C) / No error (D).

• A) The captain, along with his teammates
• B) are preparing
• C) for the final match
• D) No error

Question 6: There (A) / are a serious problem (B) / with this application (C) / No error (D).

• A) There
• B) are a serious problem
• C) with this application
• D) No error

Question 7: The furniture in these rooms (A) / is quite expensive (B) / and difficult to maintain (C) / No error (D).

• A) The furniture in these rooms
• B) is quite expensive
• C) and difficult to maintain
• D) No error

Question 8: Either the manager or the employees (A) / is responsible (B) / for the delay (C) / No error (D).

• A) Either the manager or the employees
• B) is responsible
• C) for the delay
• D) No error

Question 9: A number of candidates (A) / has applied (B) / for the available posts (C) / No error (D).

• A) A number of candidates
• B) has applied
• C) for the available posts
• D) No error

Question 10: Mathematics (A) / is an important subject (B) / for competitive examinations (C) / No error (D).

• A) Mathematics
• B) is an important subject
• C) for competitive examinations
• D) No error

13. Answers with Explanations

1. B) have completed
Correct sentence: Each of the students has completed the assignment on time. Each takes a singular verb.

2. B) are better
Correct sentence: The quality of these products is better than expected. The main subject is quality, which is singular.

3. B) was present
Correct sentence: Neither the teacher nor the students were present at the meeting. With neither...nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, students.

4. B) have submitted
Correct sentence: Everyone in the class has submitted the required documents. Everyone takes a singular verb.

5. B) are preparing
Correct sentence: The captain, along with his teammates, is preparing for the final match. The phrase along with his teammates does not make the singular subject plural.

6. B) are a serious problem
Correct sentence: There is a serious problem with this application. The actual subject, problem, is singular.

7. D) No error
Furniture is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb. The sentence is correct.

8. B) is responsible
Correct sentence: Either the manager or the employees are responsible for the delay. The nearer subject, employees, is plural.

9. B) has applied
Correct sentence: A number of candidates have applied for the available posts. The expression a number of takes a plural verb. In contrast, the number of generally takes a singular verb.

10. D) No error
Mathematics is treated as a singular subject when referring to the academic discipline, so the sentence is correct.

14. Preparation Tips for SSC CGL 2027

• Revise the basic singular and plural verb rules regularly.
• Practise identifying the main subject before checking the verb.
• Pay special attention to each, every, either, neither and indefinite pronouns.
• Learn the difference between a number of and the number of.
• Solve error spotting questions under timed conditions.
• Maintain a notebook of common grammar mistakes and revise it before mock tests.

Conclusion

Subject-Verb Agreement is a scoring grammar topic for SSC CGL 2027 when its rules are understood clearly. By identifying the main subject, recognising singular and plural expressions, and practising common error patterns, candidates can improve their accuracy in English error spotting questions.

Revise the rules regularly and practise a variety of questions to strengthen your preparation for SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2.