Class 6 English - ICSE
Subject-Verb Agreement
Welcome to the chapter on Subject-Verb Agreement for Class 6 ICSE! This chapter teaches you the golden rule of English grammar: the verb must always match its subject in person and number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Mastering this chapter is essential for scoring high marks in your ICSE English Language board exams, especially in error-spotting, sentence correction, and fill-in-the-blank exercises. Clear grammar rules will also help you write flawless essays and stories.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Basic Rule
A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example, 'The dog barks' versus 'The dogs bark'.
Words Joined by 'And'
Two or more singular subjects joined by 'and' usually take a plural verb. For example, 'Ravi and Sita are playing'.
Collective Nouns
A collective noun (like team, family, or committee) usually takes a singular verb when it acts as a single unit. For example, 'The team is winning'.
Indefinite Pronouns
Words like everyone, someone, anybody, and each are always treated as singular and take singular verbs. For example, 'Everyone is welcome'.
Words Joined by 'Or' / 'Nor'
When singular subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb is singular. For example, 'Neither the boy nor the girl was late'.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the ICSE Class 6 English Language exam, Subject-Verb Agreement questions typically carry 5 to 10 marks. They commonly appear as fill-in-the-blanks with correct verb forms, error-correction tasks where you must rewrite sentences, and multiple-choice questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a singular verb have an 's' at the end (like 'she walks') while plural nouns have an 's'?
It is because nouns add 's' to become plural, but verbs add 's' to become singular! This is the opposite way around, which confuses many students.
What verb should I use with 'everybody' or 'everyone'?
Always use a singular verb with 'everybody' or 'everyone' because they refer to people individually (e.g., 'Everybody knows the answer').
How do I decide the verb when there are words between the subject and the verb?
Always look for the main subject and ignore extra descriptive phrases. For example, in 'The box of chocolates is open,' the subject is 'box' (singular), not 'chocolates'.
Learn Subject-Verb Agreement with Your AI Tutor
10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.
Lecture
Key Points
Interactive
Quiz
Flashcards