Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: Simplified Rules and Examples for Flawless Writing

 Rule 1: A verb must match its subject in number and person.

• Example: The cat runs fast.

Rule 2: Avoid the error of making the verb agree with a noun that is not the subject.

• Example: The bouquet of flowers smells lovely.

Rule 3: Two singular subjects connected by ‘and’ need a plural verb.

• Example: The pen and pencil are on the table.
• Exception: If the two subjects represent one idea, the verb is singular.
• Exception Example: Peanut butter and jelly is a classic sandwich combo.

Rule 4: Singular subjects joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ take a singular verb.

• Example: Neither the car nor the bike is available.
• Exception: If one of the subjects is plural, the verb should be plural.
• Exception Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are in the classroom.

Rule 5: When subjects of different persons are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.

• Example: Either my brother or I am going to the store.
• Exception: It’s better to rephrase to avoid confusion.
• Exception Example: My brother is going to the store, or I am.

Rule 6: Words like ‘either’, ‘neither’, ‘each’, ‘everyone’, ‘many a’ require a singular verb.

• Example: Each of the dogs has a toy.
• Exception: None.
• Exception Example: N/A

Rule 7: ‘Each’ or ‘every’ before two nouns joined by ‘and’ requires a singular verb.

• Example: Every cat and every dog was given a treat.

Rule 8: Some nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning take a singular verb.

• Example: Mathematics is my favorite subject.

Rule 9: ‘Pains’ and ‘means’ can take either singular or plural verbs, but be consistent.

• Example: Great pains has been taken.
• Exception: ‘Means’ as income always takes a plural verb.
• Exception Example: His means are sufficient.

Rule 10: Some nouns singular in form but plural in meaning take a plural verb.

• Example: Twelve dozen cost a lot.

Rule 11: ‘None’ can take either a singular or plural verb, but it’s commonly plural.

• Example: None of the options were suitable.

Rule 12: A collective noun takes a singular verb when seen as a whole, plural when individuals are considered.

• Example: The committee has reached a decision.
• Exception: When focusing on individual members, use a plural verb.
• Exception Example: The committee are having a debate.

Rule 13: Plural proper names for a single object or unit take a singular verb.

• Example: “The Avengers” is a popular movie.

Rule 14: A plural noun for a specific quantity or amount as a whole takes a singular verb.

• Example: Ten dollars is the price of admission.

To read in detail with more examples and interactive quiz, Click Here.

 

Poem: I Was Sitting by my Window Summary Q&A Solved and Explained

Let's enjoy the poem.

Q1. Who do you think is the speaker? How can you tell?

ANSWER: The speaker is most likely a child. This can be inferred from the whimsical nature of the events and the focus on a routine like sitting by the window "each morning."


Q2. The speaker's room is clean and tidy. True or False?

ANSWER: False

Q3. The items related to cleaning that appear in the poem are: buckets, ...... (Complete the list.)

ANSWER: The items related to cleaning that appear in the poem are: buckets, dustpans, brooms, boxes of sponges, mops, cans of cleanser, and bars of soap.

Q4. The items related to dancing that appear in the poem are: pirouettes, ......(Complete the list.)

ANSWER: The items related to dancing that appear in the poem are: pirouettes, pivots, a song and dance, wiggles, waltzes, and prances.

Q5. 'this is someone's way of telling me that I should clean my room.' (last stanza) Who do you think 'someone' is? Why do you think so?

ANSWER: 'Someone' here is most probably the mother of the speaker. Usually, parents ask their children to clean their rooms and make them tidy.

Q6. This poem has several examples of personification: for example, mops display playfulness and skill. Can you find other examples of personification in the poem?

ANSWER: The poem brings things to life by pretending they can act like people! It says it rained "buckets" (buckets can't rain!), the supplies showed up "from nowhere" (like magic!), and even danced a "song and dance."

Q7. Find rhyming words in the poem for the following: loom, yawning, four, glance, mope, hill.

ANSWER: Here are some rhyming words in the poem: Loom - room, Yawning - morning, Four-door

Glance - dance, Mope - soap, hill-sill.

Summary

The poem "I Was Sitting by My Window" tells the story of a child who witnesses something strange. While looking out the window, a bunch of cleaning supplies suddenly appear – buckets, dustpans, brooms, and more! These supplies then come alive and put on a whole show, dancing and twirling around the room.  It's a surprising and funny event, and the poem leaves us wondering if it's a playful way of reminding the child to clean up!