CUET 2027 Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules and Examples

Subject–verb agreement can be confusing when you need to distinguish singular and plural subjects, identify the main subject in a sentence, or choose the correct verb when other nouns appear nearby. Rules involving compound subjects, helping verbs, and error of proximity can make grammar questions more challenging, particularly in CUET 2027 English.

Physics Wallah helps you revise these grammar rules through English notes that explain subject–verb agreement with examples and common sentence patterns. Learning how verbs agree with their subjects, recognising exceptions, and practising spotting-error and fill-in-the-blank questions can help you improve grammatical accuracy and prepare more confidently for CUET 2027.

 Basic Sentence Structure

A basic English sentence often follows this pattern:

Subject + Verb + Object

• Subject: The person, thing or entity being discussed.

• Verb: Expresses an action, state or possession.

• Object: Receives the action of the verb, when present.

The object is optional. A sentence can contain only a subject and a verb, such as I sleep.

Memory tip: Identify the subject first, then the verb, and finally check whether an object is present.

Understanding Verbs

A verb does more than express an action. You can remember its three broad functions through the acronym ASH.

• A — Action

• S — State

• H — Having or possession

Recognising verbs and their functions also helps when revising other English grammar concepts for CUET, including sentence formation and subject–verb agreement.

Identifying the Subject

The subject is the person, thing or entity that performs an action or is described in a sentence. To identify it, ask who or what the sentence is about.

Remember that I and you take specific verb forms. For example, we say I am and you are, even when you refers to one person.

Helping Verbs and Main Verbs

A sentence may contain a helping verb and a main verb. The helping verb supports the main verb, while the main verb carries the principal meaning.

Common helping verbs include am, is, are, was, were, have, has, had, do, does, did, can, will and should.

Memory tip: When a sentence contains more than one verb form, identify which verb is helping and which one expresses the main action.

Identifying Objects and Verb Types

An object can often be identified by asking what? or whom? after the verb. However, not every verb takes an object.

How to identify an object

1. Find the subject.

2. Identify the verb.

3. Ask what? or whom? after the verb.

4. Check whether the answer identifies an object.

A word answering where or how does not become an object simply because it follows a verb.

Direct and indirect objects

A direct object receives the action of the verb and answers what? or whom? An indirect object typically identifies the recipient of something.

• Direct object: I gave a book to Riya. (What did I give? A book.)

• Indirect object: I gave Riya a book. (To whom did I give a book? Riya.)

Transitive and intransitive verbs

The same verb may be transitive in one sentence and intransitive in another. Its classification depends on how it is used.

Singular and Plural Subjects and Verbs

Subject–verb agreement depends on the grammatical subject's number and person. A singular subject generally takes a singular verb, while a plural subject generally takes a plural verb. The exact form also depends on the tense and the subject.

Singular and plural nouns

Singular and plural pronouns

I and you require special attention because their verb forms do not follow the same pattern as he, she and it.

Common verb forms

In the simple present tense, a verb usually takes -s or -es with he, she or it. With most plural subjects, the base form is used.

Examples:

• He works.

• They work.

• She dances.

• We dance.

Golden Rule of Subject-Verb Agreement

The main rule is simple: the verb must agree with the grammatical subject in number and person.

• He works.

• They work.

• The child plays.

• The children play.

Before selecting a verb, identify the actual subject instead of relying on the noun closest to it.

Error of proximity

An error of proximity occurs when a verb agrees with a nearby noun rather than the actual subject.

Example 1: The quality of apples is good.

• Actual subject: quality

• Apples appears in the phrase of apples.

• Since quality is singular, is is correct.

Example 2: The water in the bottles looks impure.

• Actual subject: water

• Bottles is not the subject.

• Therefore, looks is correct.

Example 3: The doors of my house have been poorly carved.

• Actual subject: doors

• Doors is plural, so have is correct.

Memory tip: Do not select a verb based on the nearest noun. Find the main subject first.

Two subjects joined by “and”

Two separate subjects joined by and generally take a plural verb.

• Rohit and Mohit are attending the seminar.

• Tom and Jerry are cartoon characters.

However, when two nouns refer to one combined item, dish or concept, a singular verb may be used.

• Kadhi and rice is my favourite dish.

• Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.

• Tom and Jerry is my favourite show.

The intended meaning determines whether the nouns refer to one unit or separate things.

Articles with compound subjects

Articles can help indicate whether two nouns refer to separate people or things, or to one person or thing with two descriptions.

The articles provide a clue, but context also matters when identifying the intended subject.

Principal and principle

These words sound alike but have different meanings.

• Principal: The head of a school or college.

• Principle: A rule, belief or standard.

Memory tip: Principal with “pal” can remind you of a person. Principle refers to a rule or standard.

Practise Subject-Verb Agreement for CUET 2027

Practise subject–verb agreement and other CUET English grammar concepts using these resources:

• Previous year questions: Solve previous year question papers to understand exam-style grammar questions and their formats.

• Timed practice: Attempt the mock tests to practise identifying subjects and selecting the correct verbs within a time limit.

• Quick grammar revision: Use English grammar tricks to revise related topics, including active and passive voice, reported speech and para jumbles.

Subject–verb agreement becomes easier when you can identify the subject, recognise verb forms and distinguish singular from plural subjects. Practise the rules with different sentence patterns, paying particular attention to compound subjects and errors of proximity. Regular revision and question practice can help you improve grammatical accuracy for CUET 2027 English.