What is a Singular Verb?

S2-SA1-0130

Grade Level:

Class 2

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

A singular verb is a verb form used with a singular subject (one person, place, animal, or thing). It shows that only one 'doer' is performing the action. Think of it as a verb that agrees with a 'single' subject.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have one cricket bat. You would say, 'The bat is new.' Here, 'is' is the singular verb because there is only ONE bat. If you had many bats, you'd say, 'The bats are new.'

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the singular verb in a sentence: 'My brother plays kabaddi very well.'

Step 1: Identify the subject. The subject is 'My brother'.
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Step 2: Decide if the subject is singular or plural. 'My brother' refers to one person, so it is singular.
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Step 3: Look at the verb, which describes the action. The action word here is 'plays'.
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Step 4: Check if the verb agrees with the singular subject. 'Plays' is the correct form for a singular subject like 'brother'. If it were plural (brothers), it would be 'play'.
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Answer: The singular verb in the sentence is 'plays'.

Why It Matters

Using singular verbs correctly makes your writing clear and professional. Journalists, lawyers, and content creators need perfect grammar to convey their message accurately. Good grammar helps you communicate effectively in any career, from writing news articles to preparing legal documents.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Using a plural verb with a singular subject (e.g., 'The boy run fast.') | CORRECTION: Use a singular verb with a singular subject (e.g., 'The boy runs fast.')

MISTAKE: Confusing 'is' and 'are' for singular and plural subjects (e.g., 'My dog are happy.') | CORRECTION: Use 'is' for singular subjects and 'are' for plural subjects (e.g., 'My dog is happy.')

MISTAKE: Forgetting to add '-s' or '-es' to verbs for singular subjects in the present tense (e.g., 'She like mangoes.') | CORRECTION: Add '-s' or '-es' to verbs for singular subjects in the present tense (e.g., 'She likes mangoes.')

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Fill in the blank with the correct singular verb: 'The auto-rickshaw _____ very fast.' (go/goes) | ANSWER: goes

QUESTION: Which word is the singular verb in this sentence: 'My mother cooks delicious biryani.' | ANSWER: cooks

QUESTION: Correct the sentence: 'One of the students were late for class today.' | ANSWER: One of the students was late for class today.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which sentence correctly uses a singular verb?

The children play in the park.

My sister loves to dance.

The books are on the table.

We eat dinner together.

The Correct Answer Is:

Option B is correct because 'My sister' is a singular subject, and 'loves' is the correct singular verb. Options A, C, and D use plural verbs or plural subjects.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you read news articles about a single politician or a specific event, the sentences use singular verbs to describe their actions. For example, 'The Prime Minister addresses the nation.' or 'The new metro line opens next month.' Clear communication in journalism relies heavily on correct subject-verb agreement.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

SINGULAR: referring to one person, place, or thing | SUBJECT: the person or thing performing the action in a sentence | VERB: a word that describes an action or a state of being | AGREEMENT: when the verb matches the number (singular or plural) of the subject

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand singular verbs, you should learn about 'What is a Plural Verb?'. This will help you understand how verbs change when there are many people or things doing an action, making your grammar even stronger!