Chapter 4: Subject – Verb Agreement Errors

1. Why Subject–Verb Agreement Matters

Subject–Verb Agreement looks simple: singular subject → singular verb and plural subject → plural verb.

But competitive examinations rarely test this rule in its simplest form.

Instead, they hide the subject behind:

prepositional phrases,
relative clauses,
along with / as well as structures,
each / every,
one of / a number of / the number of,
collective nouns,
quantities and percentages,
either / neither constructions,
inverted sentences, and
long noun phrases.

THE VERB AGREES WITH THE TRUE SUBJECT — NOT WITH THE NEAREST NOUN.

2. The Golden Rule

Start Here

The boy plays cricket.

The boys play cricket.

Subject	Verb	Example
Singular	Singular verb	The student works.
Plural	Plural verb	The students work.

💡 The Important Twist

In the present tense, the singular third-person subject usually takes the -s/-es form:

He works → They work

With be and have, the forms change differently:

He is / They are
He has / They have

3. The Most Important Skill: Find the True Subject

Consider this sentence:

The quality of the products are excellent.

Many students see “products” immediately before the verb and select “are”.

But the sentence skeleton is:

The quality → is excellent.

“of the products” is a prepositional phrase. It does not control the verb.

Correct: The quality of the products is excellent.

🔴 The Nearest-Noun Trap

Never select the verb based only on the noun immediately before it.

Find the head noun of the subject first.

4. The “Remove the Middle” Technique

When a sentence contains a phrase between the subject and verb, temporarily remove that phrase.

The list of selected candidates are displayed on the notice board.

Remove the middle:

The list → are displayed.

“List” is singular.

Correct: The list of selected candidates is displayed on the notice board.

🟢 IBPSHUB Shortcut

Whenever you see: subject + of + noun + verb, temporarily ignore the “of” phrase and test the subject.

5. High-Frequency Pattern: “Of”

The preposition of is one of the most useful warning signals in SVA questions.

Sentence	Correct Verb
The quality of the products ___ excellent.	is
The results of the examination ___ encouraging.	are
The list of candidates ___ ready.	is
The members of the committee ___ present.	are

SUBJECT + OF + NOUN
↓
VERB AGREES WITH SUBJECT

6. “Along With”, “As Well As”, “Together With”

These expressions often create one of the easiest traps for examiners.

They add information but do not normally create a compound subject in the same way that and does.

Expression	Effect on Agreement
along with	Does not normally pluralise the subject
as well as	Does not normally pluralise the subject
together with	Does not normally pluralise the subject
accompanied by	Does not normally pluralise the subject
in addition to	Does not normally pluralise the subject

The manager, along with his assistants, are attending the meeting.

Correct: The manager, along with his assistants, is attending the meeting.

🔴 Don’t Confuse “And” With “As Well As”

The manager and his assistants are attending.

But:

The manager as well as his assistants is attending.

7. “Each” and “Every” — Singular Alert

Each and every generally take singular nouns and singular verbs.

Each student has submitted the assignment.

Every candidate is required to carry an identity card.

🔴 Common Trap

The noun following “of” does not control the verb.

Each of the students have submitted the assignment.

Correct: Each of the students has submitted the assignment.

EACH OF + PLURAL NOUN → SINGULAR VERB

8. “One of” — A Favourite Exam Trap

The structure:

ONE OF + PLURAL NOUN

takes a singular main verb.

One of the students are absent.

Correct: One of the students is absent.

Why?

The grammatical subject is one, not “students”.

🔴 Classic Trap

Students often see “students” and automatically choose “are”. The examiner is counting on this.

9. “The Number of” vs “A Number of”

Memorise this distinction.

Structure	Verb	Meaning
The number of applicants	Singular	The total/count
A number of applicants	Plural	Several/many

The number of applicants have increased.

Correct: The number of applicants has increased.

A number of applicants has complained.

Correct: A number of applicants have complained.

THE NUMBER OF → SINGULAR
A NUMBER OF → PLURAL

10. Either…or / Neither…nor

With structures involving either…or and neither…nor, the verb generally agrees with the subject closer to it.

Neither the manager nor the employees was willing to accept the proposal.

The nearer subject is “employees”, which is plural.

Correct: Neither the manager nor the employees were willing to accept the proposal.

Reverse the order:

Neither the employees nor the manager were willing to accept the proposal.

Correct: Neither the employees nor the manager was willing to accept the proposal.

🟢 Exam Shortcut

For either…or / neither…nor, look at the noun immediately before the verb.

11. “Not Only…But Also”

When two subjects are connected using not only…but also, the agreement generally follows the same proximity principle when the subjects appear before the verb.

Not only the manager but also the employees was responsible.

Correct: Not only the manager but also the employees were responsible.

Reverse the order:

Not only the employees but also the manager were responsible.

Correct: Not only the employees but also the manager was responsible.

12. Collective Nouns

Words such as:

committee · team · family · government · jury · audience · class · staff · company · organisation

can create confusion.

In standard formal exam English, when the collective noun is treated as a single unit, a singular verb is generally used.

The committee has decided to postpone the meeting.

If the emphasis is explicitly on individual members acting separately, plural agreement may occur in varieties of English, especially British usage.

💡 Exam Approach

Do not automatically treat every collective noun as plural. First determine whether the group is being treated as a single unit or as individuals.

13. Words Ending in “-s” But Taking Singular Verbs

Some nouns look plural because they end in -s but represent a subject treated as singular.

Word	Correct Pattern
news	The news is encouraging.
economics	Economics is an important subject.
politics	Politics is complicated.
mathematics	Mathematics is difficult for some students.

14. Nouns That Look Singular But Are Plural

Certain nouns have special plural forms or are normally treated as plural.

Noun	Example
police	The police have arrested the suspect.
people	People are demanding answers.
cattle	The cattle are grazing.

🔴 Important

Do not assume that the absence of a visible “-s” means that a noun is singular.

15. Quantities: Time, Money, Distance and Weight

Expressions representing a single total amount can take a singular verb.

Ten kilometres is a long distance to walk.

Five years is a long time.

Ten thousand rupees is a significant amount.

💡 Think of the Expression as One Unit

Here, the expression is functioning as one total quantity, distance, period or amount.

16. Fractions and Percentages

With fractions and percentages, the verb generally follows the noun being referred to.

Fifty percent of the work is complete.

Fifty percent of the students are present.

PERCENTAGE / FRACTION
+
NOUN
↓
VERB FOLLOWS THE NOUN

17. “Some”, “All”, “Most”, “Half”, “None”

These words do not automatically take singular or plural verbs. The following noun determines the agreement.

Structure	Verb
Some of the water ___ dirty.	is
Some of the students ___ absent.	are
Most of the work ___ complete.	is
Most of the candidates ___ ready.	are

18. Relative Pronouns — “Who”, “Which”, “That”

A relative clause can create confusion about which noun controls the verb.

The candidate who have cleared the examination will receive an interview call.

The relative pronoun “who” refers to “candidate”.

Correct: The candidate who has cleared the examination will receive an interview call.

The candidates who has cleared the examination will receive interview calls.

Correct: The candidates who have cleared the examination will receive interview calls.

19. The Special “One of Those Who…” Structure

This is a classic advanced SVA area.

He is one of those candidates who has worked extremely hard.

Here, “who” refers to “those candidates”, not merely “one”.

Preferred: He is one of those candidates who have worked extremely hard.

🔴 Advanced Trap

Do not mechanically apply the singular “one” rule to every verb that follows a relative pronoun.

Ask: What noun does “who” refer to?

20. Titles of Books, Movies, Newspapers and Organisations

A title may contain plural-looking words but function as the name of a single work or entity.

“The Arabian Nights” is a famous collection of stories.

The title is treated as one work.

🟢 Error Radar

If a sentence begins with a title, ask whether the entire title represents one unit.

21. Inverted Sentences

Sometimes the subject comes after the verb.

There is many reasons for the delay.

Do not let “there” control the verb.

Find the real subject:

many reasons → are

Correct: There are many reasons for the delay.

There is a problem with the system.

Here, “a problem” is singular, so is is correct.

22. “Here Is / Here Are”

The same principle applies to sentences beginning with here.

Here is the documents you requested.

Correct: Here are the documents you requested.

23. Gerunds and Infinitives as Subjects

A gerund phrase functioning as a subject generally takes a singular verb.

Reading newspapers every day improve vocabulary.

Correct: Reading newspapers every day improves vocabulary.

To learn a new language require patience.

Correct: To learn a new language requires patience.

24. “More Than One”

The expression more than one is followed by a singular countable noun and normally takes a singular verb.

More than one candidate have complained about the process.

Correct: More than one candidate has complained about the process.

MORE THAN ONE + SINGULAR NOUN → SINGULAR VERB

25. “Many a”

Another high-value competitive-exam structure:

MANY A + SINGULAR NOUN → SINGULAR VERB

Many a student have made this mistake.

Correct: Many a student has made this mistake.

26. “Each of”, “Either of”, “Neither of”

These expressions are commonly tested.

Structure	Standard Exam Agreement
Each of the candidates	is / has
Either of the options	is
Neither of the answers	is

💡 Quick Memory

Although the noun after “of” is plural, the words each, either and neither are singular in standard formal exam usage.

27. “Both…and” Is Plural

Unlike “as well as”, the correlative conjunction both…and creates a plural subject.

Both the manager and the employees is responsible for the decision.

Correct: Both the manager and the employees are responsible for the decision.

28. Words Between Subject and Verb

Watch for interrupting expressions.

together with
along with
as well as
accompanied by
in addition to
including
with
rather than
besides

The CEO, together with the directors, have approved the proposal.

Correct: The CEO, together with the directors, has approved the proposal.

29. SVA Error Radar — Words That Should Make You Stop

1

of Find the head noun.

2

each Think singular.

3

one of Think “one”.

4

number Check the exact phrase.

5

along with Ignore the added noun.

6

either/neither Check proximity.

7

there/here Find the real subject.

8

who/which Find the antecedent.

30. The 15-Second SVA Method

STEP 1 — FIND THE VERB

STEP 2 — ASK “WHO/WHAT DOES THIS VERB BELONG TO?”

STEP 3 — REMOVE DISTRACTING PHRASES

STEP 4 — IDENTIFY SINGULAR / PLURAL

STEP 5 — CHECK SPECIAL STRUCTURES

STEP 6 — MARK THE ANSWER

🟢 Speed Principle

Do not translate the entire sentence into your native language. Identify the grammatical relationship directly.

31. Practice Set — Foundation Traps

Q1. Foundation Trap

The quality of these products are superior to those available in the market.

A. The quality

B. of these products

C. are superior

D. No error

Answer: C

Subject = “quality” → singular.

Correct: The quality of these products is superior…

Q2. Foundation Trap

Each of the applicants have submitted the required documents.

A. Each

B. of the applicants

C. have submitted

D. No error

Answer: C

“Each” is singular.

Correct: Each of the applicants has submitted…

Q3. Foundation Trap

The list of selected candidates are displayed outside the office.

A. The list

B. of selected candidates

C. are displayed

D. No error

Answer: C

“List” is the subject.

Correct: The list of selected candidates is displayed…

32. Practice Set — Exam Traps

Q4. Exam Trap

The manager, along with his assistants, are attending the conference.

A. The manager

B. along with his assistants

C. are attending

D. No error

Answer: C

“Along with his assistants” does not create a compound subject.

Correct: The manager, along with his assistants, is attending…

Q5. Exam Trap

A number of employees has requested additional training.

A. A number

B. of employees

C. has requested

D. No error

Answer: C

“A number of” means several and takes a plural verb.

Correct: A number of employees have requested…

Q6. Exam Trap

Neither the officers nor the manager were available for the meeting.

A. Neither the officers

B. nor the manager

C. were available

D. No error

Answer: C

The nearer subject is “manager”, which is singular.

Correct: Neither the officers nor the manager was available…

33. Practice Set — Elite Traps

Q7. Elite Trap

The candidate who has completed all the formalities are eligible for the interview.

A. The candidate

B. who has completed

C. all the formalities

D. are eligible

Answer: D

Main subject = “candidate”.

Correct: The candidate who has completed all the formalities is eligible…

Q8. Elite Trap

There is several reasons why the project was delayed.

A. There is

B. several reasons

C. why the project

D. No error

Answer: A

Real subject = “several reasons” → plural.

Correct: There are several reasons…

Q9. Elite Trap

More than one candidate have raised concerns about the process.

A. More than one

B. candidate

C. have raised

D. No error

Answer: C

“More than one” takes a singular verb.

Correct: More than one candidate has raised…

Q10. Elite Trap

One of the employees who has received the award will address the gathering.

A. One of the employees

B. who has received

C. the award

D. No error

Answer: B

Here “who” refers to “employees”, not merely “one”.

Correct: One of the employees who have received the award…

34. Mixed Speed Drill

Try to solve each question using the SVA scan before reading the solution.

Q11.

The results of the survey indicates that most candidates prefer online preparation.

A. The results

B. of the survey

C. indicates

D. No error

Answer: C

“Results” is plural.

Correct: The results of the survey indicate…

Q12.

Five years are a long period to wait for such an opportunity.

A. Five years

B. are

C. a long period

D. No error

Answer: B

The period is treated as one unit.

Correct: Five years is a long period…

Q13.

Fifty percent of the candidates has qualified for the next stage.

A. Fifty percent

B. of the candidates

C. has qualified

D. No error

Answer: C

“Candidates” is plural.

Correct: Fifty percent of the candidates have qualified…

Q14.

The news about the recruitment process are encouraging.

A. The news

B. about the recruitment process

C. are encouraging

D. No error

Answer: C

“News” is treated as singular.

Correct: The news about the recruitment process is encouraging.

Q15.

Both the manager and the assistant was present during the meeting.

A. Both the manager

B. and the assistant

C. was present

D. No error

Answer: C

“Both…and” creates a plural subject.

Correct: Both the manager and the assistant were present…

35. The SVA Master Table

Structure	Verb Pattern	Example
Each + noun	Singular	Each student is ready.
Each of + plural noun	Singular	Each of them has applied.
One of + plural noun	Singular	One of them is absent.
The number of + plural noun	Singular	The number of applicants is rising.
A number of + plural noun	Plural	A number of applicants are waiting.
Along with	Follow main subject	The manager along with staff is here.
As well as	Follow main subject	She as well as her friends is invited.
Both…and	Plural	Both A and B are ready.
Either…or	Generally nearer subject	Either A or B is responsible.
Neither…nor	Generally nearer subject	Neither A nor B is responsible.
More than one	Singular	More than one person has complained.
Many a	Singular	Many a student has failed.
Percentage + plural noun	Plural	50% of students are ready.
Percentage + uncountable noun	Singular	50% of the work is complete.

36. The 10 Most Important SVA Traps

1. The nearest noun is not necessarily the subject.

2. “Of + noun” does not normally control agreement.

3. “Along with” does not work like “and”.

4. “Each” and “every” are singular.

5. “One of + plural noun” takes a singular main verb.

6. “The number of” is singular.

7. “A number of” is plural.

8. Either/neither constructions require careful proximity checking.

9. Percentages and fractions depend on the noun that follows.

10. In “there is/are” constructions, find the real subject.

37. Final IBPSHUB Challenge

🔥 Elite SVA Challenge

The number of candidates who have applied for the examination, along with several applicants who registered late, have increased significantly this year.

Before looking at the answer, perform the complete SVA scan.

TRUE SUBJECT → ?

DISTRACTING PHRASE → ?

VERB → ?

SINGULAR / PLURAL → ?

CORRECTION → ?

Answer: “have increased” is incorrect.

True subject: the number.

“of candidates” does not control the verb.

“along with several applicants who registered late” is additional information and does not make the main subject plural.

Therefore:

The number … has increased significantly this year.

Correct sentence: The number of candidates who have applied for the examination, along with several applicants who registered late, has increased significantly this year.

38. One-Page SVA Revision Card

FIND THE SUBJECT

↓

IGNORE DISTRACTORS

↓

CHECK NUMBER

↓

CHECK SPECIAL STRUCTURE

↓

MATCH THE VERB

↓

STOP

Each / Every → singular

One of → singular

The number of → singular

A number of → plural

Along with / As well as → follow main subject

Both…and → plural

Either…or / Neither…nor → check nearer subject

Percentage / Fraction → check following noun

There is / are → find real subject

Relative pronoun → identify antecedent

39. What You Should Be Able to Do Now

After completing this chapter, you should be able to look at a long sentence and quickly answer five questions:

1

Where is the verb?

2

What is the true subject?

3

What words are distracting me?

4

Is there a special SVA structure?

5

Does the verb agree?

🟢 Mastery Test

If you can answer these five questions in a few seconds, you are no longer merely “knowing Subject–Verb Agreement.” You are solving SVA questions like an examiner expects you to.

What Comes Next?

Subject–Verb Agreement is only the first major weapon in the Error Detection arsenal.

Next, we move to another highly tested area:

CHAPTER 17

Tense & Sequence of Tense Errors

We will focus on tense traps, time markers, sequence of tense, perfect constructions, reported speech patterns, conditional structures and the subtle errors that appear in competitive-exam sentences.