👉 The most basic rule.
“She works in a bank.”
“He plays football.”
“They work in a bank.”
“We play football.”
“Ravi and Aman are friends.”
“Tea and coffee are available.”
👉 Exception (one idea):
“Bread and butter is my breakfast.”
“Rice and curry is his favorite meal.”
(everyone, someone, each, etc.)
“Everyone wants success.”
“Someone is calling you.”
“Each student has a book.”
“Nobody knows the answer.”
👉 Very commonly tested
“A number of students are absent.”
“A number of people have complained.”
👉 BUT:
“The number of students is increasing.”
“The number of cases is rising.”
“Each student has a laptop.”
“Every child needs care.”
“Every boy and girl is invited.”
“Either the teacher or the students are responsible.”
“Either the students or the teacher is responsible.”
“Neither my parents nor my brother is at home.”
“Neither my brother nor my parents are at home.”
(team, committee, family)
👉 As one unit → singular
“The team is winning.”
“The committee has made a decision.”
👉 As individuals → plural
“The team are arguing among themselves.”
“The committee have different opinions.”
👉 Look plural, but singular meaning
“The news is shocking.”
“Mathematics is difficult.”
“Physics is interesting.”
👉 Very tricky
“Many a student struggles with grammar.”
“Many a person has failed here.”
“More than one student has complained.”
“More than one issue remains unresolved.”
👉 Ignore extra phrases
“The quality of the products is good.”
“The list of items is long.”
“The boy with his friends is playing.”
👉 Real subject = quality / list / boy
“The teacher, along with the students, is present.”
“He, as well as his friends, is invited.”
“The CEO, together with the team, has approved the plan.”
“There is a book on the table.”
“There are many books on the table.”
“There is a problem.”
“There are several issues.”
👉 Treated as one unit
“Ten kilometers is a long distance.”
“Five hours is enough.”
“Fifty rupees is too much.”
“The Alchemist is a popular book.”
“Avengers is a famous movie.”
“The Times of India is widely read.”
“One of my friends lives abroad.”
“One of the students has completed the task.”
“A pair of shoes is under the bed.”
“A pair of glasses is on the table.”
“The rich are becoming richer.”
“The poor need support.”
“The elderly are respected.”
“What he said is true.”
“What she wants is unclear.”
👉 BUT (plural idea):
“What they need are better facilities.”
👉 Always plural:
“The police are investigating.”
“The cattle are grazing.”
👉 Always singular:
“The furniture is old.”
“The information is useful.”
“The majority of students are present.”
“The majority of the work is done.”
“50% of the people are happy.”
“50% of the work is completed.”