SSC CHSL 2027 Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules, Examples and Practice Set

Subject-Verb Agreement is an important English grammar topic for candidates preparing for the SSC CHSL 2027 examination. It refers to the grammatical relationship between a subject and its verb. A verb must agree with its subject in number and person to make a sentence grammatically correct.

Questions based on subject-verb agreement can be practised through error detection, sentence improvement, sentence correction and fill-in-the-blank exercises. Understanding the important rules and common exceptions can help candidates identify grammatical errors and improve their English accuracy.

In this guide, you will learn important subject-verb agreement rules, commonly confused sentence structures, solved examples and a practice set with answers for SSC CHSL 2027 English preparation.

1. What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-Verb Agreement is a grammatical rule that requires the verb to match its subject in number and person.

• Singular Subject: Generally takes a singular verb.
• Plural Subject: Generally takes a plural verb.

Examples:

• She plays tennis every evening.
• They play tennis every evening.
• The student is present.
• The students are present.

In the present simple tense, singular third-person subjects generally take verbs ending in -s or -es, while plural subjects generally use the base form of the verb.

2. Important Subject-Verb Agreement Rules for SSC CHSL 2027

Rule 1: A Singular Subject Takes a Singular Verb

When the subject is singular, use a singular verb.

Examples:

• He works in a bank.
• My sister studies English.
• The child is sleeping.

Incorrect: She work in a bank.

Correct: She works in a bank.

Rule 2: A Plural Subject Takes a Plural Verb

Plural subjects generally take plural verbs.

Examples:

• They are ready.
• The boys play football.
• Teachers guide students.

Incorrect: The students studies regularly.

Correct: The students study regularly.

Rule 3: Two Subjects Joined by And Usually Take a Plural Verb

When two different subjects are connected by the conjunction and, they generally take a plural verb.

Examples:

• Rahul and Amit are friends.
• The teacher and the student were present.
• My brother and sister live in Pune.

Exception: When two words joined by and refer to one person, one thing or one combined idea, a singular verb may be used.

Example: Bread and butter is my usual breakfast.

Rule 4: Use a Singular Verb with Each and Every

When each or every is used before a singular noun, the verb is generally singular.

Examples:

• Each student has a notebook.
• Every candidate needs preparation.
• Every boy and every girl was given a certificate.

Incorrect: Every student have submitted the form.

Correct: Every student has submitted the form.

Rule 5: Either...Or and Neither...Nor

When either...or or neither...nor connects two subjects, the verb generally agrees with the subject nearest to it.

Examples:

• Neither the teacher nor the students are present.
• Neither the students nor the teacher is present.
• Either Rahul or his friends are responsible.
• Either the students or Rahul is responsible.

Rule 6: Use a Singular Verb with Indefinite Pronouns

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

Examples:

• Everyone is ready.
• Somebody has called you.
• Nobody knows the answer.
• Each of the students has submitted the assignment.

Rule 7: Use a Singular Verb with Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns generally take singular verbs when used as the subject of a sentence.

Examples:

• Information is useful.
• Furniture is expensive.
• Advice is important.
• Water is essential for life.

Rule 8: Some Nouns Look Plural but Take Singular Verbs

Some nouns ending in -s are treated as singular when they refer to a subject, field or activity.

Examples:

• Mathematics is an interesting subject.
• Physics is difficult for some students.
• News is important.
• Economics is taught in this class.

Rule 9: Use a Plural Verb with Certain Nouns

Some nouns are generally used in the plural form and take plural verbs.

Examples:

• The police are investigating the case.
• My trousers are new.
• The scissors are on the table.
• The cattle are grazing in the field.

Rule 10: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things. They may take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is considered as one unit or as individual members. Usage can also vary by English variety.

Examples:

• The committee has submitted its report. (The committee as one unit.)
• The committee members are discussing their individual opinions. (Individual members.)
• The team is ready for the match. (The team as one unit.)

Rule 11: Use a Singular Verb with One of

The expression one of is followed by a plural noun, but the main subject is one, so the verb is singular.

Examples:

• One of my friends is a doctor.
• One of the students has won the prize.
• One of these books belongs to me.

Rule 12: Use a Singular Verb with The Number of

The expression the number of refers to a total or quantity and generally takes a singular verb.

Example: The number of applicants is increasing.

In contrast, a number of means several and takes a plural verb.

Example: A number of applicants are waiting outside.

Rule 13: Subjects Joined by As Well As, Along With or Together With

When a subject is followed by expressions such as as well as, along with, together with or accompanied by, the verb generally agrees with the main subject.

Examples:

• The principal, along with the teachers, is attending the meeting.
• Riya, as well as her friends, is invited.
• The manager, together with his staff, has arrived.

Rule 14: Use a Singular Verb with Gerunds as Subjects

A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun. When a gerund or gerund phrase is the subject, it generally takes a singular verb.

Examples:

• Swimming is good exercise.
• Reading books improves vocabulary.
• Walking every morning keeps us active.

Rule 15: Use the Correct Verb with There Is and There Are

In sentences beginning with there, the verb agrees with the actual subject that follows it.

Examples:

• There is a book on the table.
• There are five books on the table.
• There was a problem.
• There were many problems.

3. Common Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

4. Solved Subject-Verb Agreement Questions

Question 1: Each of the candidates _____ required to carry an identity card.

Answer: Is

Explanation: Each is singular, so it takes a singular verb.

Question 2: Neither the manager nor the employees _____ available.

Answer: Are

Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject, employees.

Question 3: The number of students in the class _____ increasing.

Answer: Is

Explanation: The number is treated as a singular subject.

Question 4: A number of students _____ absent today.

Answer: Are

Explanation: A number of means several and takes a plural verb.

Question 5: Mathematics _____ my favourite subject.

Answer: Is

Explanation: Mathematics is treated as a singular subject when referring to the academic discipline.

5. SSC CHSL 2027 Subject-Verb Agreement Practice Set

Test your understanding with the following 20 multiple-choice questions. Select the grammatically correct verb for each sentence. These are practice questions prepared for SSC CHSL English grammar revision.

Q1. Each of the students _____ a notebook.

• A) Have
• B) Has
• C) Are
• D) Were

Q2. The quality of these products _____ excellent.

• A) Are
• B) Were
• C) Is
• D) Have

Q3. Neither the teacher nor the students _____ present.

• A) Is
• B) Was
• C) Are
• D) Has

Q4. One of my friends _____ in Mumbai.

• A) Live
• B) Lives
• C) Are living
• D) Have lived

Q5. The number of applicants _____ increasing every year.

• A) Are
• B) Have
• C) Is
• D) Were

Q6. A number of students _____ waiting outside.

• A) Is
• B) Was
• C) Are
• D) Has

Q7. Mathematics _____ an important subject.

• A) Are
• B) Is
• C) Have
• D) Were

Q8. Everyone _____ to achieve success.

• A) Want
• B) Wants
• C) Are wanting
• D) Have wanted

Q9. My brother and sister _____ in Pune.

• A) Lives
• B) Is living
• C) Live
• D) Has lived

Q10. There _____ many books on the shelf.

• A) Is
• B) Was
• C) Are
• D) Has

Q11. Neither the students nor the principal _____ present.

• A) Are
• B) Were
• C) Is
• D) Have

Q12. The police _____ investigating the matter.

• A) Is
• B) Are
• C) Has
• D) Was

Q13. Reading books _____ my vocabulary.

• A) Improve
• B) Are improving
• C) Improves
• D) Have improved

Q14. The principal, along with the teachers, _____ attending the meeting.

• A) Are
• B) Is
• C) Have
• D) Were

Q15. Either Riya or her friends _____ responsible for the arrangement.

• A) Is
• B) Was
• C) Are
• D) Has

Q16. The news _____ surprising.

• A) Are
• B) Were
• C) Is
• D) Have

Q17. Bread and butter _____ my usual breakfast.

• A) Are
• B) Is
• C) Have
• D) Were

Q18. The scissors _____ on the table.

• A) Is
• B) Was
• C) Are
• D) Has

Q19. Every boy and every girl _____ given a certificate.

• A) Were
• B) Are
• C) Was
• D) Have

Q20. The team _____ ready for the final match.

• A) Are
• B) Is
• C) Have
• D) Were

Answer Key with Explanations

6. How to Solve Subject-Verb Agreement Questions

1. Identify the main subject: Find the person, place, thing or idea performing the action.
2. Ignore extra phrases: Do not get confused by phrases such as along with, together with or as well as.
3. Check the number: Decide whether the main subject is singular or plural.
4. Look for special expressions: Pay attention to each, every, either...or, neither...nor and one of.
5. Choose the correct verb: Match the verb with the actual subject.
6. Read the complete sentence: Confirm that the sentence is grammatically correct and meaningful.

7. Preparation Tips for SSC CHSL 2027

• Revise singular and plural verb forms regularly.
• Practise rules involving each, every, everyone and one of.
• Pay special attention to either...or and neither...nor constructions.
• Learn the difference between the number of and a number of.
• Practise identifying the main subject in long sentences.
• Solve subject-verb agreement questions through error detection and sentence correction exercises.
• Attempt timed grammar practice sets and analyse incorrect answers.
• Maintain a notebook of difficult rules and frequently repeated mistakes.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Subject-verb agreement is an important English grammar topic to include in your SSC CHSL 2027 preparation. Understanding the relationship between subjects and verbs, along with special rules and common exceptions, can help you solve grammar questions more accurately.

Revise the rules, practise the 20 questions in this guide and analyse your mistakes regularly. Consistent practice can improve your confidence and accuracy in English grammar.