English Grammar: Subject Verb Agreement Rules
Introduction
Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA) হলো English Grammar-এর সবচেয়ে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ Topic-গুলোর একটি। Competitive Exam-এ Error Detection, Sentence Improvement, Fill in the Blanks, Cloze Test এবং MCQ-তে এই Topic থেকে নিয়মিত প্রশ্ন আসে।
অনেক পরীক্ষার্থী নিচের ধরনের ভুল করে—
- ❌ He go to school.
- ❌ The students is playing.
- ❌ Neither Ram nor his friends is present.
- ❌ One of the boys are absent.
এই Complete Guide-এ আমরা Subject-Verb Agreement-এর সমস্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ Rules, সহজ বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা, Shortcut Tricks, Common Mistakes এবং Exam-Oriented MCQs শিখব।
Table of Contents
- What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
- Basic Rules
- Singular Subject – Singular Verb
- Plural Subject – Plural Verb
- Rules for "And", "Or", "Neither...Nor"
- Collective Nouns
- Indefinite Pronouns
- Common Mistakes
- MCQs
- FAQ
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Definition (English)
Subject-Verb Agreement means that the verb must agree with the subject in number and person.
বাংলা সংজ্ঞা
Subject-Verb Agreement বলতে বোঝায়, বাক্যে Subject-এর Number (Singular/Plural) ও Person অনুযায়ী Verb-এর সঠিক রূপ ব্যবহার করা।
Basic Rule
Singular Subject → Singular Verb
Plural Subject → Plural Verb
Examples
Example 1
He plays football.
সে ফুটবল খেলে।
Example 2
She writes beautifully.
সে সুন্দর লিখে।
Example 3
The boy is honest.
ছেলেটি সৎ।
Example 4
They play football.
তারা ফুটবল খেলে।
Example 5
The students are reading.
ছাত্ররা পড়ছে।
📊 Basic Formula
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| Singular | Singular Verb |
| Plural | Plural Verb |
Rule 1: Singular Subject takes Singular Verb
Examples
The teacher teaches English.
Rahim goes to school every day.
My brother works in Kolkata.
The dog barks loudly.
The girl has a bicycle.
Rule 2: Plural Subject takes Plural Verb
Examples
The boys play football.
The teachers work hard.
The girls sing well.
My parents live in Kolkata.
The dogs bark loudly.
Rule 3: Two Subjects Joined by "And"
সাধারণত Plural Verb হয়।
Formula
Subject + and + Subject → Plural Verb
Examples
Rahim and Karim are friends.
Tea and coffee are available.
The teacher and the students have arrived.
My father and mother love me.
Cats and dogs are common pets.
Exception
যদি দুটি Subject একই ব্যক্তি বা একই জিনিসকে বোঝায়, তাহলে Singular Verb হবে।
Example
Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
Slow and steady wins the race.
The owner and manager is present.
(একই ব্যক্তি)
Rule 4: Subjects Joined by "Or", "Nor"
Verb কাছের Subject-এর সঙ্গে মিলবে।
Formula
Either...or
Neither...nor
Or
Nor
→ Verb agrees with the nearest Subject.
Examples
Either Rahim or his friends are coming.
Either the students or the teacher is responsible.
Neither the boys nor the girl is absent.
Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
Easy Trick
👉 Nearest Subject Rule
Rule 5: Each / Every
Each বা Every থাকলে সবসময় Singular Verb হবে।
Examples
Each student has a book.
Every boy is present.
Each of the players is fit.
Every child needs love.
Rule 6: One of
One of + Plural Noun + Singular Verb
Examples
One of the boys is absent.
One of the books was missing.
One of my friends lives in Delhi.
Rule 7: Many a
Many a + Singular Noun + Singular Verb
Examples
Many a student has failed.
Many a boy was injured.
Many a child has participated.
Rule 8: A Number of / The Number of
এই Rule Competitive Exam-এ খুবই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ।
| Expression | Verb |
|---|---|
| A number of | Plural Verb |
| The number of | Singular Verb |
Examples
A number of students are absent.
The number of students is increasing.
A number of books have been sold.
The number of applicants is very high.
📊 Quick Comparison
| Expression | Verb |
|---|---|
| Each | Singular |
| Every | Singular |
| One of | Singular |
| Many a | Singular |
| A number of | Plural |
| The number of | Singular |
🚫 Common Beginner Mistakes
❌ He go to school.
✔ He goes to school.
❌ They goes to school.
✔ They go to school.
❌ One of the students are absent.
✔ One of the students is absent.
❌ Every boys are present.
✔ Every boy is present.
❌ A number of students is absent.
✔ A number of students are absent.
💡 DC Mentor Smart Tips
⭐ He / She / It → Verb + s/es
⭐ I / We / You / They → Base Verb
⭐ Each / Every / One of / Many a → Singular Verb
⭐ A number of → Plural Verb
⭐ The number of → Singular Verb
⭐ And → সাধারণত Plural
⭐ Either...or / Neither...nor → Nearest Subject Rule
📖 Quick Revision
| Rule | Verb |
|---|---|
| Singular Subject | Singular Verb |
| Plural Subject | Plural Verb |
| And | Plural |
| Or / Nor | Nearest Subject |
| Each | Singular |
| Every | Singular |
| One of | Singular |
| Many a | Singular |
🎯 Important Points
- Subject ও Verb-এর Number এক হতে হবে।
- Each, Every, One of, Many a → Singular Verb।
- A number of → Plural Verb।
- The number of → Singular Verb।
- Either...or / Neither...nor → Nearest Subject Rule।
- Subject-Verb Agreement থেকে Competitive Exam-এ প্রায় প্রতি বছর প্রশ্ন আসে।
Rule 9: Collective Nouns
Collective Noun এমন Noun যা একদল ব্যক্তি বা বস্তুকে একসঙ্গে বোঝায়।
যেমন—
- Team
- Committee
- Jury
- Family
- Class
- Crowd
- Audience
- Staff
- Army
- Police
যখন Group-কে একটি Unit হিসেবে বোঝায়
➡ Singular Verb
Examples
The team is playing well.
The committee has taken a decision.
The family lives in Kolkata.
The class is silent.
The audience was excited.
যখন Group-এর সদস্যদের আলাদাভাবে বোঝায়
➡ Plural Verb
Examples
The team are arguing among themselves.
The jury have different opinions.
The committee have disagreed on the proposal.
DC Mentor Shortcut
একটি দল হিসেবে ভাবলে → Singular
সদস্যদের আলাদা করে ভাবলে → Plural
Rule–10: Indefinite Pronouns
Competitive Exam-এ এটি অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ।
সবসময় Singular Verb নেয়
- Everyone
- Everybody
- Someone
- Somebody
- Anyone
- Anybody
- No one
- Nobody
- Everything
- Something
- Nothing
- Each
- Either
- Neither
Examples
Everyone is happy.
Somebody has called you.
Nobody knows the answer.
Everything is ready.
Each has completed the work.
Neither is correct.
Easy Memory Trick
Rule–11: All, Some, Most, Half
এদের Verb নির্ভর করে পরের Noun-এর উপর।
Singular হলে
All the milk is fresh.
Some water is dirty.
Most of the work is completed.
Half of the cake is eaten.
Plural হলে
All the students are present.
Some books are missing.
Most of the boys have arrived.
Half of the apples are rotten.
Shortcut
Rule–12: None
Modern English-এ None Singular অথবা Plural—দুটো Verb-ই নিতে পারে।
Competitive Exam-এ সাধারণত নিচের Rule নিরাপদ।
Singular
None of the information is correct.
Plural
Rule–13: There is / There are
Verb নির্ভর করে There-এর উপর নয়, পরের Subject-এর উপর।
Examples
There is a book on the table.
There are five books on the table.
There is a boy and two girls.
(Nearest Subject = boy)
There are two girls and a boy.
(Nearest Subject = girls)
Easy Trick
Rule–14: Titles of Books, Movies, Newspapers
শিরোনাম Plural দেখালেও সাধারণত Singular Verb হয়।
Examples
The Ramayana is a great epic.
Gulliver's Travels is an interesting book.
Rule 15: Names Ending in "S"
কিছু Subject দেখতে Plural হলেও অর্থে Singular।
Examples
Mathematics is my favourite subject.
Physics is difficult.
Economics is interesting.
Politics is a complex subject.
The news is good.
Measles is a disease.
Common Exam Trap
❌ Mathematics are difficult.
✔ Mathematics is difficult.
❌ The news are true.
Rule16: Distance, Time, Money, Weight
একটি Unit হিসেবে বোঝালে Singular Verb হবে।
Examples
Ten kilometres is a long distance.
Five years is a long time.
One lakh rupees is enough.
Rule 17: Pair Nouns
যেমন—
- A pair of shoes
- A pair of scissors
- A pair of trousers
- A pair of spectacles
➡ Verb হবে Singular
Examples
A pair of shoes is lying outside.
A pair of scissors is on the table.
Rule 18: Plural-looking Nouns
নিচের শব্দগুলো Plural হলেও Singular অর্থে ব্যবহৃত হয়।
- News
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Economics
- Ethics
- Measles
Rule 19: Plural-only Nouns
এই শব্দগুলোর সাথে সাধারণত Plural Verb ব্যবহৃত হয়।
- Police
- People
- Cattle
- Poultry
- Clothes
- Riches
Examples
The police are investigating the case.
The cattle are grazing.
People are waiting outside.
📊 Master Comparison Table
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| Team (as one unit) | Singular |
| Team (members) | Plural |
| Everyone | Singular |
| Somebody | Singular |
| Nobody | Singular |
| Everything | Singular |
| All + Singular Noun | Singular |
| All + Plural Noun | Plural |
| There is | Singular Subject |
| There are | Plural Subject |
| Mathematics | Singular |
| News | Singular |
| Police | Plural |
| People | Plural |
| Ten kilometres | Singular |
| A pair of shoes | Singular |
🚫 Common Grammar Mistakes
❌ Everyone are ready.
✔ Everyone is ready.
❌ The police is investigating.
✔ The police are investigating.
❌ Five years are a long time.
✔ Five years is a long time.
❌ A pair of shoes are expensive.
✔ A pair of shoes is expensive.
❌ The news are shocking.
✔ The news is shocking.
❌ There is many students.
✔ There are many students.
❌ All the milk are spoiled.
✔ All the milk is spoiled.
❌ Physics are difficult.
✔ Physics is difficult.
🎯 DC Mentor Memory Tricks
⭐ Everyone, Somebody, Nobody
➡ সবসময় Singular Verb
⭐ Mathematics, Physics, News
➡ দেখতে Plural, কিন্তু Singular Verb
⭐ Police, People, Cattle
➡ সবসময় Plural Verb
⭐ A Pair Of
➡ Singular Verb
⭐ Distance, Time, Money
➡ একটি Unit হলে Singular Verb
⭐ There is / There are
➡ There নয়, পরের Subject দেখে Verb নির্বাচন করুন।
⚡ Competitive Exam Tips
এই Rule-গুলো থেকে WB Gram Panchayat, SSC, Railway, Banking, PSC, TET, Food SI, WBCS Preliminary এবং অন্যান্য Competitive Exam-এ নিয়মিত প্রশ্ন আসে—
- ✅ Everyone / Everybody
- ✅ One of
- ✅ A number of / The number of
- ✅ There is / There are
- ✅ Mathematics / News
- ✅ Police / People
- ✅ Collective Nouns
- ✅ Either...or / Neither...nor
📝 Solved Examples (Subject-Verb Agreement)
নিচের উদাহরণগুলো Competitive Exam-এর ধাঁচে তৈরি করা হয়েছে।
Example 1
He ____ to school every day.
A. go
B. goes
C. going
D. gone
✅ Answer: B. goes
Explanation: He = Singular Subject, তাই goes হবে।
Example 2
The boys ____ football every evening.
A. plays
B. is playing
C. play
D. has played
✅ Answer: C. play
Example 3
Each student ____ a notebook.
A. have
B. has
C. are having
D. having
✅ Answer: B. has
Example 4
One of the girls ____ absent today.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C. is
Example 5
A modern purple and white academic colornumber of students ____ present.
A. is
B. was
C. are
D. has
✅ Answer: C. are
Example 6
The number of applicants ____ increasing every year.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C. is
Example 7
Everyone ____ ready for the examination.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C. is
Example 8
Neither the teacher nor the students ____ ready.
A. is
B. was
C. are
D. has
✅ Answer: C. are
Explanation: Nearest Subject = students (Plural)
Example 9
Either the students or the teacher ____ responsible.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C. is
Example 10
Mathematics ____ my favourite subject.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C. is
✍️ Fill in the Blanks Practice
সঠিক Verb বসিয়ে বাক্য পূরণ করুন।
1.
The committee ______ decided the matter.
✅ Answer: has
2.
The police ______ investigating the case.
✅ Answer: are
3.
Each of the boys ______ a bicycle.
✅ Answer: has
4.
Five years ______ a long time.
✅ Answer: is
5.
The news ______ surprising.
✅ Answer: is
6.
A pair of shoes ______ on the floor.
✅ Answer: is
7.
The players ______ practising hard.
✅ Answer: are
8.
Bread and butter ______ my favourite breakfast.
✅ Answer: is
9.
Rahim and Karim ______ good friends.
✅ Answer: are
10.
Nobody ______ the answer.
✅ Answer: knows
🔎 Error Detection Practice
প্রতিটি বাক্যে ভুল অংশটি শনাক্ত করুন।
1.
Everyone are happy.
❌ Wrong: are
✔ Correct:
Everyone is happy.
2.
The news are shocking.
❌ Wrong: are
✔ Correct:
The news is shocking.
3.
One of the students are absent.
❌ Wrong: are
✔ Correct:
One of the students is absent.
4.
Each boys has completed the work.
❌ Wrong: boys
✔ Correct:
Each boy has completed the work.
5.
The police is investigating.
❌ Wrong: is
✔ Correct:
The police are investigating.
6.
There is many books.
❌ Wrong: is
✔ Correct:
There are many books.
7.
A number of books is missing.
❌ Wrong: is
✔ Correct:
A number of books are missing.
8.
The number of books are increasing.
❌ Wrong: are
✔ Correct:
The number of books is increasing.
9.
Neither the boys nor the girl are absent.
❌ Wrong: are
✔ Correct:
Neither the boys nor the girl is absent.
10.
Every students are present.
❌ Wrong: students are
✔ Correct:
Every student is present.
📖 Advanced Rules
Rule–20: As well as / Along with / Together with
এই Phrase-গুলো Plural Subject তৈরি করে না।
Verb হবে প্রথম Subject অনুযায়ী।
Examples
Rahim, as well as his friends, is present.
The teacher, along with the students, has arrived.
My father, together with my brothers, is going.
Rule–21: Not only...but also
Verb নির্ভর করে Nearest Subject-এর উপর।
Examples
Not only the students but also the teacher is present.
Not only the teacher but also the students are present.
Rule–22: Either / Neither (একাই Subject হলে)
সবসময় Singular Verb।
Examples
Either is acceptable.
Neither was correct.
Rule–23: More than One
More than one + Singular Noun + Singular Verb
Examples
More than one student has qualified.
More than one person was injured.
Rule–24: Many
Many + Plural Noun + Plural Verb
Examples
Many students have passed.
Many people are waiting.
📊 Important Comparison Table
| Expression | Verb |
|---|---|
| As well as | First Subject অনুযায়ী |
| Along with | First Subject অনুযায়ী |
| Together with | First Subject অনুযায়ী |
| Not only...but also | Nearest Subject |
| Either | Singular |
| Neither | Singular |
| More than one | Singular |
| Many | Plural |
⚠️ Most Common Competitive Exam Traps
| Wrong | Correct |
|---|---|
| Everyone are | Everyone is |
| Police is | Police are |
| News are | News is |
| Mathematics are | Mathematics is |
| Each boys | Each boy |
| One of the students are | One of the students is |
| More than one students have | More than one student has |
🎯 DC Mentor's Golden Rules
✔ He / She / It → Verb + s / es
✔ I / We / You / They → Base Verb
✔ Each / Every / One of / Many a → Singular Verb
✔ A number of → Plural Verb
✔ The number of → Singular Verb
✔ And → সাধারণত Plural Verb
✔ Bread and Butter → Singular (একটি Unit)
✔ Either...or / Neither...nor → Nearest Subject Rule
✔ As well as / Along with → First Subject Rule
✔ More than one → Singular Verb
🏆 Quick Revision Checklist
✅ Singular Subject → Singular Verb
✅ Plural Subject → Plural Verb
✅ Each / Every → Singular
✅ One of → Singular
✅ Many a → Singular
✅ A number of → Plural
✅ The number of → Singular
✅ Police → Plural
✅ News → Singular
✅ Mathematics → Singular
📝 Practice MCQs (Subject-Verb Agreement)
নিচের প্রশ্নগুলো WB Gram Panchayat, SSC, TET, PSC, Railway, Banking, Food SI এবং অন্যান্য Competitive Exam-এর ধাঁচে তৈরি।
MCQ 1
Each of the students ____ a notebook.
A. have
B. has
C. are having
D. were
✅ Answer: B. has
MCQ 2
The police ____ investigating the case.
A. is
B. has
C. are
D. was
✅ Answer: C. are
MCQ 3
Mathematics ____ an interesting subject.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C. is
MCQ 4
A number of students ____ absent today.
A. is
B. has
C. are
D. was
✅ Answer: C. are
MCQ 5
The number of applicants ____ increasing.
A. are
B. were
C. have
D. is
✅ Answer: D. is
MCQ 6
Neither Ram nor his friends ____ ready.
A. is
B. has
C. are
D. was
✅ Answer: C. are
MCQ 7
Either the students or the teacher ____ responsible.
A. are
B. have
C. is
D. were
✅ Answer: C. is
MCQ 8
Everyone ____ the answer.
A. know
B. knows
C. are knowing
D. have known
✅ Answer: B. knows
MCQ 9
Bread and butter ____ my favourite breakfast.
A. are
B. have
C. is
D. were
✅ Answer: C. is
MCQ 10
More than one student ____ selected.
A. are
B. were
C. has
D. have
✅ Answer: C. has
MCQ 11
One of the boys ____ absent.
A. are
B. is
C. were
D. have
✅ Answer: B. is
MCQ 12
The team ____ playing well today.
A. are
B. have
C. is
D. were
✅ Answer: C. is
MCQ 13
There ____ many books on the table.
A. is
B. are
C. was
D. has
✅ Answer: B. are
MCQ 14
Five years ____ a long time.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C. is
MCQ 15
The news ____ very surprising.
A. are
B. were
C. have
D. is
✅ Answer: D. is
📋 Last-Minute Revision Chart
| Rule | Remember |
|---|---|
| Singular Subject | Singular Verb |
| Plural Subject | Plural Verb |
| Each / Every | Singular Verb |
| One of | Singular Verb |
| Many a | Singular Verb |
| A number of | Plural Verb |
| The number of | Singular Verb |
| Everyone / Somebody / Nobody | Singular Verb |
| Police / People / Cattle | Plural Verb |
| News / Mathematics / Physics | Singular Verb |
| More than one | Singular Verb |
| Either...or / Neither...nor | Nearest Subject Rule |
| As well as / Along with | First Subject Rule |
| There is / There are | Subject অনুযায়ী Verb |
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Each students are present.
✔ Each student is present.
❌ Everyone know the answer.
✔ Everyone knows the answer.
❌ Police is searching.
✔ Police are searching.
❌ Mathematics are difficult.
✔ Mathematics is difficult.
❌ A number of boys is playing.
✔ A number of boys are playing.
💡 DC Mentor Exam Tips
- প্রথমে Subject খুঁজে বের করুন, তারপর Verb নির্বাচন করুন।
- Prepositional Phrase (with, along with, as well as) দেখে বিভ্রান্ত হবেন না; মূল Subject-ই Verb নির্ধারণ করে।
- Each, Every, One of, Many a দেখলে প্রথমেই Singular Verb ভাবুন।
- Either...or / Neither...nor-এ সবসময় Nearest Subject Rule মনে রাখুন।
- Error Detection-এ News, Mathematics, Police, People খুবই জনপ্রিয় প্রশ্ন।
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Answer: Subject ও Verb-এর Number এবং Person-এর মিলকেই Subject-Verb Agreement বলে।
Q2. Why is Subject-Verb Agreement important for competitive exams?
Answer: এটি Error Detection, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Improvement, Cloze Test এবং MCQ-তে নিয়মিত আসে।
Q3. Is "Everyone" singular or plural?
Answer: Everyone একটি Singular Indefinite Pronoun, তাই Singular Verb ব্যবহৃত হয়।
Q4. Which is correct: "A number of" or "The number of"?
Answer:
- A number of + Plural Verb
- The number of + Singular Verb
Q5. What is the Nearest Subject Rule?
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