Syntax

Syntax is the study of relation between subject and verb.
That relation is of S : S --- P : P
Means if a subject is singular then its verb will be singular and if a subject is plural then its verb will be plural.

Subject Verb Agreement

Subject verb agreement means in a sentence verb will be according to the number of subject.

Some Important Rule

Rule-1- Noun + Preposition + Noun and the verb :-
In this structure the noun before first preposition will be the subject.
Ex- The quality of mangoes and apples is not the same. ( is/are )
The students in this class are very laborious. ( is/are )
The cost of many things in the market is increasing. ( is/are )

Rule-2- Names, Titles and the Verb :-
Names and titles are in singular number.
Ex- India is a poor country.
The meghdoot is a good poem.

Note:- But the name of a place for the meaning of team will be in plural number.
Ex- Delhi are going to play.

Rule-3- Hyphenated expression and the verb :-
With hyphenated expression verb will be in singular number.
Note- Plural noun is never repeated.
Ex- Ship after ship is selling by. ( is/are )
Ships after ships is selling by. ( Incorrect )

Rule-4- Subject + apposition and the verb :-
In apposition sentences verb will be according to the first subject.
Ex- Mr. Narendra modi, the P.M of India is to coming tomorrow.
I, D.Singh am a teacher.

Rule-5- Adjective as subject and the verb :-
If an adjective is used as subject, there will be article the and because each indicates the whole class so verb will be in plural number.
Ex- The honest are respected.
The beautiful are praised.

Rule-6- Units and the verb :-
Units are in singular number but as countable noun these are in plural number.
Ex- Ten miles is not a long distance.
Ten miles have passed till now.

Rule-7- Here, there and the verb :-
In here and there sentence verb will be according to the subject after verb.
Ex- There is a book on the table.
There are books on the table.

Rule-8- Mathematical words and the verb :-
With mathematical words both singular and plural verbs are used.
Ex- Twenty plus ten is/are thirty.
Twenty minus ten is/are ten.

Rule-9- Inseparables and the verb :-
Inseparables are in plural number and adding a pair of these are change into singular.
Ex- His trousers are new.
A pair of trousers is new.

Rule-10- Separators and the verb :-
( Either …..or, Neither……nor, or, nor )
In separators sentences verb will be according to the nearer subject.
Ex- Either you or he is going.
Are you or he going?

Rule-11- Collective noun and the verb :-
(a) A or an collective noun is always singular.
Ex- A class is going on.
(b) Other collective noun are singular in the meaning of unity. but plural in the meaning of disunity.
Ex- The class is unity.
The class are divided.
(c) If there is a pronoun with collective noun then verb will be according to the that pronoun.
Ex- The class are united in their thinking.
The class is divided in its thinking.

Rule-12- Definite/Indefinite number and the verb :-
With definite number verb will be according to the first subject and with indefinite number verb will be according according to the second subject.
Ex- One of the boys is reading.
Some of the boys are play.

Rule-13- Noun equivalent and the verb :-
With noun equivalent verb will always in singular number.
(a) Infinitive: To + V¹
Ex- To sing is an art.
(b) Gerund: V + ing
Ex- Singing is an art.
(c) Clause: Conjunction + S + V
Ex- When they are going is not known.
(d) Phrase :
Ex- An apple of discord is a phrase.

Rule-14- Many a, More then one and the verb :-
(a) Many a or an is in singular number and other many are in plural.
Ex- Many a man is present in the meeting. Many are absent from there.
(b) 'More then one' together will be in singular number but separately these are in plural number.
Ex- More then one boy is there.
More boys then one are there.

Rule-15- As well as, Not only …….but also, Nothing but and the verb :-
(a) In as well as sentences verb will be according to the subject before as well as.
Ex- He as well as his friends is going there.
His friends as well as he are going there.
(b) In not only…….but also sentences verb will be according to the subject after but also.
Ex- Not only she but also her sisters are beautiful.
Not only her sisters but also she is beautiful.
(c) Nothing but will always be in singular number.
Ex- Nothing but tree is there.
Nothing but trees is there.

Rule-16- Sub + and + Sub and the verb :-
(a) If two subjects indicate two persons then verb will be in plural number.
Ex- The headmaster and the class teacher are going.
(b) If two subjects indicate only one person then verb will in singular number.
Ex- The poet and philosopher is coming.
(c) If two subjects depend upon each other then verb will be in singular number.
Ex- Pen and paper is essential for writing.
(d) If in the sentences there comes each, every, no then verb will be in singular number.
Ex- Each boy and girl is present.
(e) In 'and not' sentences verb will be according to the subject before and.
Ex- They and not he are responsible for this.

Rule-17- Use of verb with pronouns :-
(a) Personal :- I, We, You, They, He, She, It
I, He, She, It - Singular
You, They - Plural
(b) Reflexive :- Reflexive pronoun never be a subject
Myself, Himself, Yourself, …………..
(c) Interrogative :- In interrogative sentences subject will be after verb.
Who, Which, What, Where, …………….
Ex- Where are you going?
(d) Relative :- In relative sentences subject will be before verb.
Who, which, what, where,…………..
(e) Possessive :- In possessive sentences verb will be according to the subject of after verb.
Mine, ours, yours, him, hers, theirs…………
Ex- My is a good books.
My are good books.
(f) Demonstrative pronoun :- This, that, these, those, here, there
This, that - Singular
These, those - Plural
Here, there - Never subject, after verb
(g) Distributive pronoun :- Distributive pronoun is always singular.
Each, ever, either, neither, no,………..
Ex- Neither of the two boys is present.
(h) Indefinite :-
Someone, every body, no one - always singular
Some, many, both, few, several - always plural
None, any, all - Singular and Plural
Ex- Every one is present in the hall.
Some have stolen my pen.
All is/are well.
All boys are well.

Rule-18- Some nouns are always singular
News, polities, poetry, scenery, traffic, mathematics, civics,…….
Ex- The poetrys of Shakespeare very good. ( Incorrect ) The poetry of Shakespeare very good. ( correct )
Note :- 'ics' subject alone - Singular
'ics' subject with a person - plural
Ex- Physics is a hard subject.
His physics are very good.

Rule-19- Some nouns are ways plural :-
Police, people, public, cattle, bowels, scissors, ……….
Ex- The cattle are grazing in the field.

Rule-20- Exception :-
(a) Need not, Dare not - always plural
Ex- He need not go there. ( need/needs )
He needs go there.
(b) Subjunctive mood :- always plural
Ex- She were a bird, she would fly.