Objective: This is the most heavily tested grammar topic in Law Entrance exams. By the end of this lesson, you will stop “going by ear” and start using mathematical rules to pick the right verb.

The Golden Rule:

A Singular Subject takes a Singular Verb. A Plural Subject takes a Plural Verb.

• He runs. (Singular Subject Verb ends in ‘s’)
• They run. (Plural Subject Verb has no ‘s’)

Trap 1: The “Number” Game (AMU Favorite)

This specific rule appeared in AMU 2021. Memorize it.

1. “The Number of…” Singular Verb
   • It refers to a specific digit/statistic.
   • Correct: The number of applicants is increasing. (Not ‘are’)
2. “A Number of…” Plural Verb
   • It means “many”.
   • Correct: A number of students are absent today.

Trap 2: The “Distractor” Phrase

Examiners love to put a long phrase between the Subject and the Verb to confuse you. They want you to make the verb agree with the nearest word, not the real subject.

The Fix: Ignore everything between the Subject and the Verb. Cross it out mentally.

• Trap: The box [of apples] are heavy. (Wrong! ‘Apples’ is not the subject).
• Fix: The box [~~of apples~~] is heavy. (Subject is ‘Box’).

Exam Example:

• The quality [of these mangoes] is poor. (Subject is ‘Quality’, not ‘Mangoes’).

Trap 3: The “Add-On” Words

When you join two subjects with these words, the verb acts like a loyal dog—it only listens to the FIRST Master (Subject).

Keywords: As well as, Along with, Together with, In addition to, Accompanied by.

• Rule: Subject 1 + (Keyword) + Subject 2 Verb agrees with Subject 1.
• Example: The Captain, [along with the players], was arrested.
  • (Ignore the players. The Captain is the main subject).

Trap 4: The “Nearest Neighbor” Words

When you use these connectors, the verb has a short memory. It agrees with the Subject closest to it.

Keywords: Either…Or, Neither…Nor, Not only…But also.

• Rule: Either Subject 1 or Subject 2 Verb agrees with Subject 2.
• Example: Neither the Captain nor the players were present.
• Example: Neither the players nor the Captain was present.

Trap 5: The “Uncountables”

Some nouns look plural or feel “heavy,” but they are always Singular. You cannot count them (1 water, 2 waters Impossible).

List: Information, Furniture, Luggage, Equipment, Advice, Poetry, Scenery, Knowledge.

• Wrong: The informations are wrong.
• Correct: The information is wrong.
• (JMI 2017 Reference: “…Her knowledge… had been acquired” – Treated as singular/uncountable).