Contents of this page.
In previous Chapter we have already discussed Infinitive, Gerunds and Participles, if you want to brush-up your concepts on these topics , you can visit VERB-1. In this chapter our main goal will be to learn different rules regarding Auxiliary and Helping Verbs.
Complete Grammar Rules
Rule 1 :
When two or more subjects are joined by
As well as, like, nothing but, more (men) than one, unlike, besides, in addition to, with, together with, along with, and not, rather than, no less than, except
The Verb is used according to the first subject.
Examples:
(a) The manager as well as the employees were present at the site.(X)
👉Use was in place of were.
(b) The father , and not his children have been found guilty of this crime.(X)
👉Use has in place of have.
(c) More men than one were present.(✓)
Rule 2 :
when either, neither, anyone, each, every, are used as pronoun or adjective . They should be followed by third person singular verbs.
(a) Either of the two boys has done it.(✓)
(b) Each of the students are intelligent.(X)
👉Each of the students is intelligent.(✓)
(c) Every girl and every boy are invited.(X)
👉Every girl and every boy is invited.(✓)
Rule 3 :
When two or more subjects are joined by
Not only-but also, neither-nor, either-or, none but.
The verb is according to the nearest subject.
(a) None but the children were playing in the field.(✓)
(b) Neither Ram nor his friends was present at theparty.(X)
👉Use were in place of was as its nearest subject is ‘his friends’.
Rule 4 :
When None is used with countable nouns both singular and plural verb are correct but with uncountable noun only singular verb is correct.
(a) None of the students has participated in games.(✓)
👉student is countable noun, has/have both are correct.
(b) None of the boys were present.(✓)
👉boys is countable noun, were/was both are correct.
(c) None of the work is done.(✓)
👉Work is uncountable noun, only singular verbs (is) is correct.
Rule 5 :
When Each is used just after subject , Plural verb is used.
(a) We each have been invited to this party.(✓)
(b) You each are advised to be punctual. (✓)
Rule 6 :
many a/an , more than one should be followed by a singular noun and singular verb.
Examples :
(a) Many a men were present.(X)
👉Many a man was present.
(b) More than one man was absent.(✓)
(c) More men than one were absent.(✓)
(d) Many an accident has taken place recently.(✓)
(e) Many accidents have taken place.(✓)
Rule 7 :
When plural nouns explains specific ‘amount, distance, time, quantity, sum’ as a whole the verb should be singular.
Example
(a) Two miles are a long distance.(X)
👉Two miles is a long distance.
(b) Fifty thousand rupees is a good amount of money.(✓)
(c) Fifty Rupees were lost.(✓)
👉In last sentence ‘fifty rupees ‘ is not expressed as a whole amount.
Rule 8 :
When two singular nouns are denoted by one article. They denote a single entity and singular verb is used.
(a) The Teacher and writer are present at the ceremony.(X)
👉The teacher and writer is present at the ceremony.
(b) What are the aim and object of this project ?(X)
👉What is the aim and object of this project ?
Rule 9 :
Some phrases or pair of words denoting same meaning are treated as singular noun and singular verb is used with them , however if they mean different things plural verb is used.
Examples:
(a) Bread and butter is difficult to earn.(✓)
👉Bread and butter meand Basic source of income.
(b) Time and tide waits for none.(X)
👉Time and tide wait for none.
(c) Bread and butter are sold here. (✓)
👉Bread and butter are two items.
(d) Slow and steady wins the race.(✓)
Rule 10 :
when two auxiliary verbs are mentioned in a sentence and their Tense, number and voice are different , two separate verbs are used for separate auxiliary verbs.
Examples:
(a) He has not and will not do this work tomorrow. (X)
👉He has not done and will not do this work tomorrow.
(b) He went to school and punished for not doing home work.(X)
👉He went to school and was punished for not doing home work.
(c) I did not and will not go there.(✓)
(d) He is smart but his sisters dull.(X)
👉He is smart but his sisters are dull.
(e) He is smart but his sister dull.(✓)
Rule 11 :
When the sentence begins with It, the verb is used according to subject it.
(a) It is the stars that guide our destiny.(✓)
(b) It was children who did the mischief.(✓)
(c) It is I who am to be blamed.(✓)
Rule 12 :
When sentence begins with there and Interrogative pronouns ( What, whose, which, etc.) the verb is used according to the subject (Doer).
(a) There lives a girl who is my best friend.(✓)
(b) What have the boys though about this act?(✓)
Rule 13 :
with below mentioned phrases, A singular or a plural verb may be used if it is used with countable nouns .But is case of uncountable nouns verb used is always singular.
Plenty of, a variety of, rest of, a lot of , lots of, two thirds of, most of , percent of, a half of
Examples:
(a) Plenty of books were available in the library.(✓)
(b) Plenty of milk is required for making butter.(✓)
(c) A variety of books are available in the library.(✓)
(d) A variety of food is available in this restaurant.(✓)
(e) A lot of work is yet to be done.(✓)
(f) A lot of students were present in the function.(✓)
(g) Three fourths of the students are intelligent.(✓)
(h) Two thirds of the book is easy to understand.(✓)
👉Note : Percentage when used as subject. Singular verb is used.
(a) The percentage of passing students this year is high.(✓)
Rule 14 :
In case of imaginary sentences, were or had is used with subject as per the structure of sentence.
(a) If I were a teacher, I would help students.(✓)
(b) I wish I had enough money.(✓)
(c) She behaves as if she were her mother.(✓)
(d) If I had wings, I would fly.(✓)
Rule 15 :
In sentence beginning with ‘it is high time’ past form of verb(V2) is used.
(a) It is high time you did something new.(✓)
👉It means : It is the time you should do something new.
Rule 16 :
When a negative idea is expressed in a sentence , it is preferred to make principal clause in negative.
(a) I am sure that he will not pass.(X)
👉I am not sure if he will pass.
(b) I think it will rain today.(X)
👉I don’t think it will rain today.
Rule 17 :
Adverb as is used with below verbs.
Regard , describe, define, know, treat, view.
(Shortcut to remember ⇾ RDD TVK)
R ⇾ Regard
D ⇾ Describe
D ⇾ Define
T ⇾ Treat
V ⇾ View
K ⇾ Know
R ⇾ Regard
D ⇾ Describe
D ⇾ Define
T ⇾ Treat
V ⇾ View
K ⇾ Know
Examples:
(a) I regard him as my best friend.(✓)
(b) He is treated as the best employee.(✓)
(c) Delhi is described as the soul of the India.(✓)
Adverb as is not used with below verbs.
Consider, name , elect, choose, make, think, call, appoint
(a) He is considered as the best employee.(X)
👉He is considered the best employee.
(b) She was appointed as a lecturer in this college.(X)
👉She was appointed a lecturer in this college.
(c) He thinks himself as an actor.(X)
👉He thinks himself an actor.
Rule 18 :
Plural verb is used in optative sentence irrespective of singular or plural subject.
Optative Sentence: expresses a prayer, keen wish, curse etc.
(a) May god give him strength ! (✓)
(b) May he passes the exam ! (X)
👉May he pass the exam !
(c) May he lives long ! (X)
👉May He live long.
Commonly used Verb-Noun combinations.
Rule 19 :
there are some nouns which are used with certain verbs only. There are also known as collocations. They are very common to native English speakers. Here are some examples.
| Verb | Noun |
|---|---|
| Make | A noise A gesture A promise A request A demand |
| Have | A good time Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast A dream A shower A conversation |
| Take | An exam Risk Your time An action Advantage |
| Impart | Education Knowledge |
| Launch | Scheme |
| Render | Help |
Some confusing Verb Forms
Below are some of the Verbs which are often confused with their different Verb Forms.
| Present (V1) | Past (V2) | Past Participle (V3) |
|---|---|---|
| Lie (To tell a lie ) | Lied | Lied |
| Lie (To lie down) | Lay | Lain |
| Lay (Lay something down) | Laid | Laid |
| Awake | Awoke | Awaken |
| Find | Found | Found |
| Found | Founded | Founded |
| Grind | Ground | Ground |
| Ground | Grounded | Grounded |
| Fall | Fell | Fallen |
| Befall | Befell | Befallen |
| Broadcast | Broadcast | Broadcast |
| Telecast | Telecast | Telecast |
| Forecast | Forecast | Forecast |
| Rend | Rent | Rent |
| Rent | Rented | Rented |
| Hang (Someone) | Hanged | Hanged |
| Hang (Something) | Hung | hung |
| Bear (To carry) | Bore | Borne |
| Bear (To Give birth) | Bore | Born |
| Wind | Wound | Wound |
| Wound | Wounded | Wounded |
| Strike | Struck | Struck |
| Stick | Stuck | Stuck |
| Overflow | Overflowed | overflowed |
| Raise | Raised | Raised |
| Rise | Rose | Risen |
| Arise | Arose | Arisen |
| Bind (Hold together) | Bound | Bound |
| Bound (surround) | Bounded | Bounded |
If you have gone through all the concept of this chapter you can practice questions based on this chapter for better understanding and clarity.