In-Depth: Subject-Verb Agreement
CLAT Application & Relevance
Importance: Medium (Indirect). While CLAT focuses on comprehension rather than explicit grammar rules, understanding Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA) is crucial for correctly interpreting sentences and identifying subtle errors within passage-based questions. You won't typically see standalone sentence correction, but a nuanced understanding of SVA enhances your overall reading and analytical skills. Incorrect SVA can sometimes subtly change the meaning of a complex legal or philosophical sentence.
How it's tested: Implicitly, in reading comprehension questions that test the exact meaning of a sentence; possibly in a very basic 'spot the error' type question if included in a passage, or to discern the correct interpretation of an argument.
Section 1: Core Concepts & Key Rules
Subject-Verb Agreement means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
Fundamental Rule
- Singular Subject → Singular Verb: The judge delivers the verdict.
- Plural Subject → Plural Verb: The judges deliver the verdict.
- (Note: For most verbs, singular verbs in the present tense end with '-s' or '-es' (e.g., 'delivers', 'goes'), while plural verbs do not (e.g., 'deliver', 'go').)
Common Pitfalls & Specific Rules
- Intervening Phrases: Phrases between the subject and verb do NOT affect the verb.
Example: The lawyer, along with his clients, is present. (Subject: "lawyer", not "clients") - Compound Subjects:
- Joined by "and": Usually take a plural verb.
Example: Justice and fairness are crucial. - Joined by "or", "nor", "either...or", "neither...nor": The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Example: Neither the judge nor the lawyers understand the new rule. (Verb agrees with 'lawyers')
Example: Neither the lawyers nor the judge understands the new rule. (Verb agrees with 'judge')
- Joined by "and": Usually take a plural verb.
- Collective Nouns: (e.g., team, committee, jury, audience, family, government).
- Usually singular when acting as a single unit: The jury has reached a verdict.
- Plural when members are acting individually: The jury are debating among themselves. (Less common, but possible.)
- Indefinite Pronouns:
- Always singular: Everyone, everybody, everything, anyone, anybody, anything, no one, nobody, nothing, someone, somebody, something, each, either, neither.
Example: Each of the evidence pieces is compelling. - Always plural: Both, few, many, several.
Example: Many of the cases are complex. - Can be singular or plural (depending on what they refer to): All, any, most, none, some.
Example: Some of the brief is incomplete. (Refers to a singular, non-countable 'brief')
Example: Some of the briefs are incomplete. (Refers to plural, countable 'briefs')
- Always singular: Everyone, everybody, everything, anyone, anybody, anything, no one, nobody, nothing, someone, somebody, something, each, either, neither.
- Nouns Plural in Form but Singular in Meaning: News, politics, ethics, economics, measles, mumps, physics, statistics.
Example: Ethics is a core subject in law. - Amounts/Quantities: Singular when referring to a single unit or total; plural when referring to individual items.
Example: Ten thousand rupees is a fair fine. (Single sum)
Example: Ten thousand rupees were distributed to the victims. (Individual currency units) - "One of the..." constructions: The verb usually agrees with the plural noun preceding "who," "which," or "that."
Example: He is one of the lawyers who argue well. (The lawyers argue, not 'one')
Section 2: Solved CLAT-Style Examples (Contextual Application)
Example 1: Intervening Phrase and Compound Subject
Passage Context: "A recent ruling on property rights, along with several previous judgments, has significantly redefined the legal landscape. The verdict in this case, particularly its implications for future land acquisitions, creates a new precedent. Neither the government nor the individual landowners was fully prepared for the ramifications of this decision."
Question: "Identify the subject and verb in the sentence 'Neither the government nor the individual landowners was fully prepared...' and explain the agreement."
Detailed Explanation:
1. Identify the Subject(s): "Neither the government nor the individual landowners". This is a compound subject joined by "neither...nor".
2. Identify the Verb: "was".
3. Apply the Rule: When subjects are joined by "or" or "nor", the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. In this case, "individual landowners" is plural.
4. Correction: Therefore, the verb should be plural. The correct sentence should be: "Neither the government nor the individual landowners were fully prepared for the ramifications of this decision."
Relevance to CLAT: While you wouldn't directly correct it, recognizing that "landowners" (plural) should take "were" (plural verb) helps you understand that the sentence indicates multiple landowners were unprepared, not just a singular entity.
Example 2: Collective Noun and Indefinite Pronoun
Passage Context: "The newly formed committee of legal experts has begun its deliberations. Each of the members present offer valuable insights. The committee, despite some internal disagreements, ultimately decide to present a unified recommendation to the Supreme Court."
Question: "Analyze the subject-verb agreement in the sentences 'Each of the members present offer valuable insights' and 'The committee, despite some internal disagreements, ultimately decide to present a unified recommendation' within the context of the passage."
Detailed Explanation:
1. Sentence 1: "Each of the members present offer valuable insights."
Subject: "Each" (an indefinite pronoun).
Verb: "offer".
Rule: "Each" is always singular, regardless of the plural noun in the intervening phrase ("of the members").
Correction: The verb should be singular: "Each of the members present offers valuable insights."
2. Sentence 2: "The committee... ultimately decide to present a unified recommendation."
Subject: "The committee" (a collective noun).
Verb: "decide".
Rule: "Committee" acts as a single unit when presenting a "unified recommendation".
Correction: The verb should be singular: "The committee... ultimately decides to present a unified recommendation." (If the committee members were acting individually, like "The committee are arguing amongst themselves," then 'are' would be correct.)
Relevance to CLAT: Such subtle errors can alter the precise meaning (e.g., whether the committee acted as one body or as individuals), affecting your comprehension of a nuanced legal text.