Subject–Verb Agreement
English Grammar - SSC GD Preparation
Introduction
Subject–Verb Agreement means the verb must match the subject in number (singular/plural) and person.
Singular Subject → Singular Verb
He plays. The boy runs.
Plural Subject → Plural Verb
They play. The boys run.
Exam Tip: SSC GD asks very simple SVA questions. If you learn these rules → 2–3 marks free.
Most Important SSC GD Rules
1. He / She / It / Singular Noun → Verb + s/es
He writes
She goes
It works
The dog barks
2. I / You / We / They → Verb (base form)
I eat
You play
We work
They study
3. "And" makes the subject plural
Ram and Shyam are friends.
The cat and the dog are playing.
4. "Either…or" / "Neither…nor" → Verb follows the nearest subject
Either Ram or his friends are coming.
Neither he nor I am ready.
Either you or he is guilty.
5. Words like: Everyone, Someone, Each, Every → Singular verb
Everyone is
Each student was
Every girl plays
Someone has
6. Collective nouns → Usually Singular
Team is
Family is
Army is
(Unless the meaning is plural → "The team are fighting among themselves." But SSC won't ask this tricky version.)
7. Distance, Time, Money → Singular
Five kilometers is a long distance.
Ten rupees is not enough.
Two hours is remaining.
8. Plural-looking words but Singular meaning
News is
Mathematics is
Politics is
9. "One of the + plural noun" → Verb is singular
One of the boys is missing.
One of the cars was stolen.
10. Noun after preposition doesn't matter
The quality of the apples is good.
(Subject = "quality" → singular)
The color of the flowers is nice.
(Subject = "color" → singular)
Common SSC GD Mistakes (Very High-Frequency)
❌ He do his work.
✔ He does his work.
❌ They is playing.
✔ They are playing.
❌ One of the girl are absent.
✔ One of the girls is absent.
❌ Each students are present.
✔ Each student is present.
Examples (SSC GD Level)
The teacher teaches English.
My friends are coming.
The list of items is long.
Neither of them was late.
Ten kilometers is far.
Everyone knows the answer.
Sample Questions (SSC GD Style)
Choose the correct option: Each of the boys ___ present.
Options: (a) are (b) were (c) is (d) be
View Answer
is
Choose the correct form: The players and the coach ___ tired.
Options: (a) is (b) are (c) was (d) be
View Answer
are
Fill in the blank: The price of vegetables ___ rising.
Options: (a) are (b) were (c) is (d) have
View Answer
is
(Subject = price → singular)
Pick the correct sentence:
Options: (a) One of the boys are absent (b) One of the boys is absent (c) One of the boy is absent (d) One of boy are absent
View Answer
One of the boys is absent
Correct option: Neither Ram nor his friends ___ late.
Options: (a) is (b) are (c) was (d) be
View Answer
are
(Nearest subject = friends → plural → "are")
Quick Recap
He/She/It = verb + s/es
I/You/They = base verb
"And" → plural
"Either…or / Neither…nor" → verb follows nearest subject
Each/Every/Everyone → singular verb
Distances, money, time → singular
One of the + plural noun → singular verb
Collective nouns → usually singular
Key Point: SSC GD uses only these rules.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
SSC GD 2022 — "Each boy ___ responsible." → is
SSC GD 2021 — "One of the players ___ injured." → is
SSC GD 2020 — "The color of the roses ___ beautiful." → is
SSC GD 2019 — "Neither he nor I ___ wrong." → am
SSC GD 2018 — "Five kilometers ___ far." → is
You've completed Subject-Verb Agreement Lesson!
Courage Tip: Master these 10 essential SVA rules as they are frequently tested in SSC GD exams. Practice identifying the real subject in sentences, especially with 'either-or', 'neither-nor', and prepositional phrases. Remember that SSC GD questions are straightforward applications of these basic rules.
Master Subject-Verb Agreement for SSC GD Exam!
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