Download Fixing Subject-Verb Agreement

E IV: Subject-Verb Agreement_________________________________
Problem 1: A subject that is separated from the verb by an intervening prepositional phrase
A blending of strong voices make the chorus unusually good.
Do not mistake the object of the preposition for the subject of a sentence.
Solution: Make the verb agree with the subject, which is never the object of the preposition.
A blending of strong voices makes the chorus unusually good.
Problem 2: A predicate nominative (noun that follows a linking verb—am, is, are, was, were,
be, being, been) that differs in number from the subject
Japanese gardens was her great joy.
Solution: Ignore the predicate nominative, and make the verb agree with the subject of the
sentence.
Japanese gardens were her great joy.
Problem 3: A subject that follows the verb
Here comes the two stars of the show.
Solution: In an inverted sentence look for the subject after the verb. Then make sure the verb
agrees with the subject.
Here come the two stars of the show.
Problem 4: A collective noun as the subject
The student council meet on a regular basis, every Thursday morning.
The pair is going separate ways.
Solution A: If the collective noun refers to a group as a whole, use a singular verb.
The student council meets on a regular basis, every Thursday morning.
Solution B: If the collective noun refers to each member of the group individually, use a plural
verb.
The pair are going their separate ways.
Problem 5: A noun of amount as a subject
Two dollars are the bus fare.
Ten years makes a decade.
Solution A: If the noun of amount refers to one unit, it is therefore singular.
Two dollars is the bus fare.
Solution B: If the noun of amount refers to a number of individual units, it is therefore plural.
Ten years make a decade.
Problem 6: A compound subject that is joined by “and”
Blue and red makes purple.
Ham and eggs are a popular breakfast.
Solution A: If the parts of the compound subject do not belong to one unit or if they refer to
different people or things, use a plural verb.
Blue and red make purple.
Solution B: If the parts of the compound subject belong to one unit of if both parts refer to the
same person or thing, use a singular verb.
Ham and eggs is a popular breakfast.
Problem 7: A compound subject that is joined by “or” or “nor”
Neither the chairs nor the sofa need cleaning at this time.
Solution: Make the verb agree with the subject that is closer to it.
Neither the chairs nor the sofa needs cleaning at this time.
Problem 8: A compound subject that is preceded by “many a,” “every,” or “each”
Many a stuffed animal and toy were in the baby’s playpen.
When “many a,” “each,” or “every” precedes a compound subject, the subject is considered
singular.
Solution: Use a singular verb when “many a,” “each,” or “every” precedes a compound
subject.
Many a stuffed animal and toy was in the baby’s playpen.
Problem 9: A subject that is separated from the verb by an intervening expression
Linda’s job, in addition to her schoolwork, take all her spare time.
Certain expressions, such as “as well as,” “in addition to,” and “together with,” do not change
the number of the subject.
Solution: Ignore an intervening expression between a subject and its verb. Make the verb
agree with the subject.
Linda’s job, in addition to her schoolwork, takes all her spare time.
Problem 10: An indefinite pronoun as the subject
Each of my nieces have written to thank me.
Indefinite pronouns can be singular, plural, or both, depending upon the noun they refer to.
Solution: Determine whether the indefinite pronoun is singular or plural, and make the verb
agree.
Each of my nieces has written to thank me.
Indefinite Pronouns
Single: each, either, neither, __one, __body, __thing
Plural: both, few, several, many
Singular or Plural: some, all, most, any, none