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Verb
Chapter Significance: English is an important subject for almost all sorts of competitive examinations like UPSC, State civil services, state PSC examinations, SSC (CGL, CHSL, MTS, CPO, Stenographer) examinations, Banking, Insurance examinations.
The topic verb is a part of speech and the rules regarding this must be learned in order to attempt questions coming in the error correction, close test, sentence improvements.
However, the students are requested to go through the following chapters for better understanding.
Noun, Pronoun, Adjectives, Adverb, Prepositions.
Introduction: Verb is a part of speech that tells us the action or state of an object.
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Rule 1:
If the following words are used in a sentence, as adjective or pronoun, then the verb should be third person singular.
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Example:
Either of my friends has helped me for the examination.
None of the girls has attended the meeting.
Rule 2:
# When more than one subject is linked by the following words, the first subject will decide the verb.
Subject1 + as well as/ besides/ like/ except/ along with/ in addition to/more men than one/ rather than/ together with + Subject2 → verb (based on subject 1)
Example:
Mira as well as her parents is coming today.
The mother with her children has suffered a lot due to the lockdown.
# When more than one subject are linked by the following words, the nearest subject will decide the verb.
Subject 1+ either-or/ neither-nor/ none-but/ not only -but also + Subject 2 → verb (based on the nearest subject i.e. subject 2 here)
Example:
Not only Raya but also I have supported him during the tough phase.
Neither Debanor his sisters are disciplined.
Rule 3:
Singular verb is used after many a, more than one.
Example:
Many a migrant worker has suffered due to the lockdown.
I will not take the class if more than one student is absent.
Rule 4:
If two singular nouns with the help of one article denote the same person or object, the verb should be singular.
Example: The dancer and painter is arriving Delhi tonight.
Rule 5:
Two verbs should be used in compound sentences if the helping verb and the main verb are different from each other with respect to the form, number, and voice.
Example:
I admire and will always admire my teacher.
Mona is upset but her friends are celebrating.
Rule 6:
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Example:
Drinking two liters is essential to stay fit.
Even five hundred rupees has no value today.
Rule 7:
Sentences beginning with It will have verbs as per the nature of the subject It.
Example:
It is I who has called you. (Wrong sentence as the subject of It is I here)
It is I who have called you. (Correct sentence).
Rule 8:
Sentences beginning with an interrogative pronoun and ‘there’ will have verbs as per the predicate of the sentence.
Example:
There is a beautiful park near my office.
There are girls trying to be independent.
What have the men done with the elephant?
Rule 9:
The expression ‘it is time’ ‘it is high time’ when used in the sense of ‘ought to’ or ‘should’, past tense is used.
Example:
It is time you started supporting your family.
It is high time you stopped wasting money.
Rule 10:
The helping verb ‘were’ is used to express a wish, regret.
Example: I wish I were an astronaut.
Exercise: Spot the error if any.
1. Neither of /my sisters /are visiting Kolkata /during Christmas. /No error
(Rule 1)
2. I don’t like my job, / I wish I was/ a photographer. /No error
(Rule 10)
3. It is I/ who is working/ the most/ in the department. /No error
(Rule7)
4. The teacher and/ mother is/ very hardworking. /No error
(Rule 4)
5. Neither the dog/ nor the puppies/ was fed when/ I was in my hometown. /No error
(Rule 2)
6. My doctor advises/ that walking/ two kilometers are /good for health. /No error
(Rule 6)
7. More than one/ person were/injured in the /super cyclone Nisarga. /No error
(Rule 3)
8. It is high time/ I start /packing my bag. /No error
(Rule 9)
9. Mr. Mohan as well as/ his sons have agreed/ to visit our NGO/ this month. /No error
(Rule 2)
10. There is a little girl/ and a kitten/ in the room. /No error
(Rule 8)
