I

am

in the school hall.

We/You/They/The students

are

in the school hall.

He/She/It/Gopal/The teacher

is

in the school hall.

The teacher and the students

are

in the school hall.

The cow

eats

grass.

Cows, goats and sheep

eat

grass.

1(a)

Introductory "There" (ଆରମ୍ଭସୂଚକ "There")

The verb agrees with the real subject that comes after the verb.

• There is a book on the desk.

• There are four books on the desk.

1(b)

Introductory "It" (ଆରମ୍ଭସୂଚକ "It")

When "It" is the subject referring to time, distance, or weather, the verb is always singular.

• It is ten past twelve. (Time)

• It is two miles to the beach. (Distance)

• It was raining heavily. (Weather)

2

Plural Numbers as a Single Unit (ଏକକ ରାଶି ଭାବରେ ବହୁବଚନ)

When a plural number refers to distance, time, weight, or money as a single quantity, it takes a singular verb.

• Fifty kilometres is not a long distance.

• Sixty years is a long time.

• Five rupees is not a big sum.

3(a)

Two Nouns, One Idea (ଦୁଇଟି ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ, ଏକକ ଭାବ)

If two nouns are joined by 'and' but refer to a single object or notion, the verb is singular.

• Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.

• Truth and honesty is the best policy.

• Curry and rice was his favourite food.

3(b)

Two Subjects Joined by 'and' ('and' ଦ୍ୱାରା ଯୋଡ଼ା ଦୁଇଟି କର୍ତ୍ତା)

If two singular or plural subjects are joined by 'and' to make a plural subject, the verb is plural.

• Gopal and his sister have come.

• Two boys and three girls have written their essays.

4(a)

Collective Nouns (ସମଷ୍ଟିବାଚକ ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)

• If the group is seen as a single unit, the verb is singular.

• If the individual members are considered, the verb is plural.

• The jury has selected its chairman. (As one body)

• The jury were divided in their opinions. (As individuals)

4(b)

Specific Plural Nouns (ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ବହୁବଚନ ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)

Nouns like police, people, poultry, cattle usually take a plural verb.

• The police have not made any arrests.

• The cattle are grazing in the field.

5

Specific Singular Nouns (ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ଏକବଚନ ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)

Nouns like clothing, food, furniture, stationery, crockery, jewellery, scenery are treated as singular and take a singular verb.

• His clothing is very attractive.

• The furniture needs to be repaired.

• Stationery is sold in this shop.

6

Separating Clause (ବିଚ୍ଛିନ୍ନକାରୀ ବାକ୍ୟାଂଶ)

If a clause separates the subject from the verb, the verb must agree with the actual subject, not the words in between.

• All the books (which have been placed on that table) are mine.

• The radio (which you gave my children) works perfectly.

7(a)

Either of, Neither of, None of

When followed by a plural noun/pronoun, the verb is usually singular.

• Either of the boys has got a prize.

• Neither of them has come.

7(b)

Each of, One of

When followed by a plural noun, the verb is singular.

• Each of the students was given a prize.

• One of the girls was able to answer.

7(c)

No or Some

• If followed by a singular noun, the verb is singular.

• If followed by a plural noun, the verb is plural.

• No child has done his homework.

• No children have done their homework.

• Some water is left.

• Some girls have gone.

7(d)

Two Titles with 'and' ('and' ସହ ଦୁଇଟି ପଦବୀ)

• If they refer to the same person (only one 'the'), the verb is singular.

• If they refer to different people (two 'the's), the verb is plural.

• The Vice-President of India and Chairman... has given his consent.

• The Vice-President... and the Chancellor... were invited.

8

Fractions (ଭଗ୍ନାଂଶ)

When the subject begins with a fraction (e.g., Two-thirds of), the verb agrees with the noun that follows 'of'.

• Two-thirds of the acid has evaporated. (Acid = singular)

• Two-thirds of the apples are rotten. (Apples = plural)

9(a)

Quantifiers (ପରିମାଣ ସୂଚକ) (a lot of, plenty of, some of)

The verb agrees with the noun that follows 'of'.

• A lot of people were present. (People = plural)

• A lot of money was spent. (Money = singular)

9(b)

Group Phrases (ସମୂହ ବାକ୍ୟାଂଶ) (a crowd of, a group of)

These phrases take a singular verb, as the subject is 'a crowd' or 'a group', not the plural noun that follows.

• A crowd of people was shouting slogans.

• A herd of elephants was seen.

9(c)

A number of vs. The number of

• A number of + plural noun takes a plural verb (it means "many").

• The number of + plural noun takes a singular verb (the subject is "the number").

• A number of children are suffering...

• The number of sick children is increasing.

10

Uncountable Nouns (ଅଗଣନୀୟ ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)

Nouns like Physics, Mathematics, News, Measles, Mumps, Advice, Information are uncountable and take a singular verb.

• Physics is my favourite subject.

• Measles is an infectious disease.

• The news was bad.

11

Clause as Subject (ବାକ୍ୟାଂଶ କର୍ତ୍ତା ଭାବରେ)

When the subject of a sentence is an entire clause, the verb is singular.

• That she is alive is good news.

• What he does these days does not concern me.

12(a)

Connectives: with, as well as

The verb agrees with the first subject.

• The teacher (with all her students) has come.

• All the students (as well as the teacher) have come.

12(b)

Connectives: or, either...or, neither...nor

The verb agrees with the nearer subject.

• Not only the boy but also his friends are guilty.

• Either you or he has created this problem.

• Neither the old man nor his sons are prepared...

13

Nouns in Pairs (ଯୋଡି ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)

• Nouns like scissors, trousers, spectacles are treated as plural and take a plural verb.

• A pair of + (noun) takes a singular verb.

• My trousers have been cleaned.

• A pair of shoes was lying in the corner.

14

Adjective as Noun (ବିଶେଷଣ ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ ଭାବରେ)

When an adjective represents a class (e.g., the rich, the blind), it takes a plural verb.

• The rich have a lot of responsibility...

• The blind need escorts...

15

Plural Noun as Proper Name (ବହୁବଚନ ସଂଜ୍ଞା)

When a plural noun is a proper name for a single object (like a book) or a collective unit (like a country), it takes a singular verb.

• Gulliver's Travels was written by...

• The United States is a powerful country.

16

Relative Clause (ଆପେକ୍ଷିକ ବାକ୍ୟାଂଶ)

The verb in a relative clause agrees with its antecedent (the noun or pronoun it refers to).

• It is you who have wronged me.

• It is he who has torn my book.