EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Grammar

Subject-Verb Concord (Agreement) for CBSE Class 10

Updated 14 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Subject-verb concord means the verb agrees with its subject in number and person: a singular subject takes a singular verb (She writes) and a plural subject takes a plural verb (They write). CBSE Class 10 tests it in Question 3 through one-mark gap-filling and editing items, usually with tricky subjects such as 'each of', 'neither-nor' or 'along with'.

The verb agrees with the real subject 'box', not the words in between, so find the subject, skip the phrase, then match the verb.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Subject-Verb Concord

Concord means agreement. In English, the verb must match its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (I, you, he/she/it, they). In the present tense the difference is easy to see: 'The boy plays', 'The boys play'. The verbs be and have also change: is/are, was/were, has/have. The difficulty in the board paper is never the simple sentence; it is finding the real subject when other words stand between the subject and the verb. In 'The box of chocolates is on the table', the subject is 'box', not 'chocolates', so the verb is singular. Phrases beginning with 'of', 'along with', 'as well as', 'together with', 'with' or 'besides' do not change the subject. Words like each, every, either, neither, everyone, somebody and nobody are singular. When two subjects are joined by 'and', the verb is usually plural; when they are joined by 'or', 'either...or' or 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it. Collective nouns (team, committee, family) take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit. Amounts of time, money and distance seen as one total also take a singular verb: 'Five hundred rupees is a fair price.' To get these items right, first underline the subject, ignore the phrase in between, and then choose the verb.

Subject-Verb Concord: rules and format

1
A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.
The bus leaves at seven. The buses leave at seven.
In the present simple, a singular verb usually ends in -s.
2
The verb agrees with the head noun, not the noun in an 'of' phrase.
The quality of these mangoes is excellent.
Ask 'What is excellent?' The quality, not the mangoes.
3
'Along with', 'as well as', 'together with', 'with', 'besides' do not make the subject plural.
The captain, along with his players, was honoured.
The verb follows the first subject.
4
Each, every, either, neither, everyone, everybody, someone, nobody take a singular verb.
Each of the students has a locker. Neither of the answers is correct.
'Each of the + plural noun' still takes a singular verb.
5
Two subjects joined by 'and' take a plural verb.
Ravi and Sonal are cousins.
Exception: when the two words name one idea or person: 'Bread and butter is my breakfast.' 'The secretary and treasurer has resigned' (one person).
6
With 'or', 'either...or', 'neither...nor', 'not only...but also', the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Neither the teacher nor the students were present. Either the students or the teacher is to blame.
Put the plural subject second to make the sentence sound natural.
7
Collective nouns take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit.
The jury has given its verdict. The committee meets every Monday.
When members act separately, a plural verb is possible: 'The jury are divided in their opinions.' Board items usually test the unit sense.
8
Amounts of money, time, distance and weight taken as one total take a singular verb.
Ten kilometres is a long walk. Three hours is enough for the test.
The amount is treated as one quantity.
9
'The number of' takes a singular verb; 'a number of' takes a plural verb.
The number of visitors has increased. A number of visitors have complained.
'The number' is one figure; 'a number of' means many.
10
Some nouns ending in -s are singular: news, mathematics, physics, measles.
The news is encouraging. Mathematics is my favourite subject.
Scissors, trousers and spectacles are plural: 'My spectacles are broken.'

How to answer Subject-Verb Concord questions

Use this routine for every concord item.

1Find the verb in the blank or the underlined part.
2Find its real subject: cross out 'of' phrases and 'along with / as well as' phrases.
3Decide whether that subject is singular or plural, using the special rules (each, neither-nor, collective nouns, amounts).
4Check the tense the passage is in, then write the matching form (is/are, was/were, has/have, -s/no -s).

Subject-Verb Concord in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Each of / neither of take a singular verb

Imagine you are writing the class group-chat notice about the science exhibition: 'Each of the groups ___ to bring a chart, and neither of the two teachers ___ available on Saturday.'

Fill both blanks correctly and explain the rule, so that the notice is error-free.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

'Each of the groups' has the subject 'each', which is singular.
So the verb is 'has'.
'Neither of the two teachers' has the subject 'neither', also singular, so the verb is 'is'.

Answer: Each of the groups has to bring a chart, and neither of the two teachers is available on Saturday. 'Each' and 'neither' are singular subjects, so both verbs are singular.

Memory hook: Each and neither stand alone: one subject, one -s.

Tricks to remember Subject-Verb Concord

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

Cross out the middle
Subject (of the..., along with..., as well as...) VERB: cross out the bracketed part and match the verb to what is left.
Use it when: For every item where a phrase separates subject and verb.
Nearer wins
With or / either-or / neither-nor / not only-but also, the subject nearer the verb wins.
Use it when: 'Neither the coach nor the players were ready.'
THE number = one number
The number of ... has; a number of ... have.
Use it when: A favourite board trap.

Subject-Verb Concord: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Singular subject with an 'of' phrase · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Choose the correct option: 'The list of selected candidates ______ been put up on the notice board.'
(a) have
(b) has
(c) are
(d) were

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Cross out 'of selected candidates'.
The subject is 'the list', which is singular.
Present perfect singular: 'has been'.

Answer: (b) has. The subject is 'list' (singular); 'of selected candidates' does not change it.

Example 2: 'As well as' does not add a subject · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level

Identify the error and correct it: 'The principal, as well as the teachers, were present at the annual sports meet.'

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The phrase 'as well as the teachers' does not make the subject plural.
The subject is 'the principal' (singular).
The past singular of 'be' is 'was'.

Answer: Error: were. Correction: was. The verb agrees with 'the principal'.

Example 3: Neither...nor · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level

Choose the correct option: 'Neither the manager nor his assistants ______ aware of the change in the schedule.'
(a) was
(b) is
(c) were
(d) has been

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
The nearer subject is 'his assistants' (plural).
Plural past of 'be': 'were'.

Answer: (c) were. The verb agrees with 'assistants', the subject nearer to it.

Example 4: The number of / a number of · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in brackets: 'The number of students using the library ______ (rise) sharply this year.'

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

'The number of' refers to one figure, so it is singular.
'This year' with a change still continuing calls for the present perfect.
Singular present perfect: 'has risen'.

Answer: has risen. 'The number' is singular, and the present perfect fits a change during this year.

Example 5: Editing: an amount as one total · 1 mark · MCQHOTS / competency

The sentence below has one error. Choose the correct error and correction: 'Ten kilometres are the distance the volunteers had to walk.'
(a) are → is
(b) kilometres → kilometre
(c) had → has
(d) walk → walked

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

'Ten kilometres' is a distance taken as one total.
A total amount takes a singular verb.
So 'are' should be 'is'.

Answer: (a) are → is. 'Ten kilometres' is one distance, so the verb is singular: 'Ten kilometres is the distance the volunteers had to walk.'

Example 6: Two subjects naming one person · 1 mark · MCQHOTS / competency

Choose the correct option and give the reason: 'The poet and novelist ______ to address the students tomorrow.' (one person who is both a poet and a novelist)
(a) are
(b) is
(c) were
(d) have

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

There is only one 'The', so 'poet and novelist' names one person.
One person takes a singular verb.
With 'tomorrow' and a plan, 'is to address' is correct.

Answer: (b) is. A single article before 'poet and novelist' shows one person; with two people the sentence would read 'The poet and the novelist are...'.

Where students lose marks in Subject-Verb Concord

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Matching the verb to the nearest noun instead of the subject
In 'The box of pens are...', 'pens' is not the subject; 'box' is.
Wrong working
The box of pens are on the shelf.
Right working
The box of pens is on the shelf.
Do this: Cross out the 'of' phrase before deciding.
Usually costs: 1 mark
Mistake: Treating 'along with / as well as' like 'and'
These phrases add information but do not join two subjects.
Wrong working
The teacher, along with the students, are going.
Right working
The teacher, along with the students, is going.
Do this: Only 'and' makes a compound plural subject.
Usually costs: 1 mark
Mistake: Using a plural verb after 'each', 'every', 'neither'
These words are singular even when a plural noun follows.
Wrong working
Neither of them are ready.
Right working
Neither of them is ready.
Do this: Each/every/either/neither = singular.
Usually costs: 1 mark
Mistake: Changing the tense while correcting the concord
The board marks the correction only if both number and tense fit the sentence.
Wrong working
The list of names were displayed → The list of names is displayed.
Right working
The list of names was displayed.
Do this: Keep the tense of the passage; change only the number.
Usually costs: 1 mark
Mistake: Writing the full sentence when only the error and correction are asked
It wastes time and sometimes adds a new mistake.
Do this: Write in the format asked: error, then correction.
Usually costs: Time, and a possible mark

Exam tips

Underline the subject and draw an arrow to the verb before choosing; this one habit removes most concord errors.
In editing passages, there is usually one error per line; if you find the concord error, do not change anything else in that line.
Watch for 'there is / there are': the verb agrees with the noun after it ('There are two reasons').
Relative clauses: the verb after 'who/which/that' agrees with the noun before it ('one of the boys who play cricket').
Attempt any ten of the twelve items in Question 3; leave the doubtful ones for last.

Practice questions on Subject-Verb Concord

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Choose the correct option: 'Mathematics ______ my favourite subject.'
(a) are
(b) is
(c) were
(d) have been
Hint
Is 'mathematics' one subject or many?
Answer
(b) is. 'Mathematics' ends in -s but is a singular noun.
Q2 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Choose the correct option: 'Rohan and his sister ______ to school by bus.'
(a) goes
(b) go
(c) is going
(d) has gone
Hint
Two subjects joined by 'and'.
Answer
(b) go. Two people joined by 'and' make a plural subject.
Q3 · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level
Identify the error and correct it: 'Each of the players have signed the team photograph.'
Hint
What is the real subject?
Answer
Error: have. Correction: has. The subject 'each' is singular.
Q4 · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'be': 'Either my parents or my uncle ______ coming to the parent-teacher meeting.'
Hint
Which subject is nearer the verb?
Answer
is. With 'either...or', the verb agrees with the nearer subject, 'my uncle' (singular).
Q5 · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level
Choose the correct option: 'A number of complaints ______ been received about the canteen food.'
(a) has
(b) have
(c) is
(d) was
Hint
'A number of' or 'The number of'?
Answer
(b) have. 'A number of' means many, so the verb is plural.
Q6 · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level
Identify the error and correct it: 'The news of the team's victories were shared on the school website.'
Hint
Is 'news' singular or plural?
Answer
Error: were. Correction: was. 'News' is a singular noun; 'of the team's victories' does not change the subject.
Q7 · 1 mark · Short answerHOTS / competency
Read the notice and correct the one error: 'The committee has decided that every student and teacher are to plant a sapling on Van Mahotsav.' Write the error and the correction for the second verb only.
Hint
'Every' before two nouns joined by 'and'.
Answer
Error: are. Correction: is. When 'every' comes before nouns joined by 'and', each one is taken singly, so the verb is singular.
Q8 · 1 mark · MCQHOTS / competency
Choose the option that correctly completes both blanks: 'Not only the students but also the principal (i) ______ worried, and the scissors on her desk (ii) ______ missing too.'
(a) (i) were, (ii) was
(b) (i) was, (ii) were
(c) (i) was, (ii) was
(d) (i) were, (ii) were
Hint
Nearer subject for (i); is 'scissors' singular or plural?
Answer
(b) (i) was, (ii) were. With 'not only...but also' the verb agrees with 'the principal' (singular); 'scissors' is always plural.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.What verb follows 'each of the + plural noun'?Show answer
A singular verb: 'Each of the boys has a bat.'
2.With 'neither...nor', which subject decides the verb?Show answer
The subject nearer to the verb.
3.'The number of' or 'a number of' — which takes a singular verb?Show answer
'The number of' (singular).
4.Is 'news' singular or plural?Show answer
Singular: 'The news is good.'
5.Does 'as well as' make the subject plural?Show answer
No; the verb agrees with the first subject.

Subject-Verb Concord: frequently asked questions

Is 'subject-verb concord' the same as 'subject-verb agreement'?

Yes. Concord means agreement; the syllabus uses 'concord'.

Does a collective noun always take a singular verb?

Usually, when the group acts as one unit ('The team has won'). When the members act separately, a plural verb is possible ('The team are arguing among themselves'), but board items normally test the unit sense.

Why is 'Ten rupees is enough' correct?

An amount of money, time or distance seen as one total is treated as singular.

What about 'one of the'?

'One of the + plural noun' takes a singular verb because the subject is 'one': 'One of my friends lives in Pune.'

How is concord tested in the CBSE board paper?

Through gap filling, editing (error and correction) or transformation items in Question 3, each worth one mark; you attempt any ten of twelve.