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Subject-Verb
Agreement
How to avoid common
errors
Common errors

Most errors with subject-verb agreement occur
because of a misunderstanding of how to properly use
the following subjects in a sentence:

Compound subjects


Indefinite pronouns


Refer to nonspecific persons or things
Collective nouns


A subject with two or more parts
Emphasize a group as a singular unit
Misleading nouns

Appear plural but are considered singular
Compound subjects

Joined by and


Subject is usually plural, unless preceded by every or
each

Mark and Ryan often hike together. (plural verb)

Each flower, vegetable, and shrub needs to be fed plant
food. (singular verb)
Joined by or or nor

Verb should agree with the subject that is nearer to the
verb

A photo ID or two credit cards are required. (cards is plural
therefore “are” is used rather than “is”)

Neither the three assistants nor the professor was able to
solve the student’s questions. (professor is singular therefore
“was” is used rather than “were”)
Indefinite pronouns

Most should be treated as singular even
though they appear plural

Indefinite pronouns individualize items being
spoken about and therefore are singular

Example: Everyone on the team supports the
team captain.


“everyone” is speaking of individuals separately , as
well as speaking of the group as a singular unit
Sample indefinite pronouns:

Anybody, anyone, each, either, everybody,
everyone, everything, neither, none, no one,
someone, something
Collective nouns

Emphasize the group as a singular unit and
therefore should be treated as singular

Sample collective nouns:


Jury, committee, audience, crowd, class, troop, family,
couple
Example sentences:
The class respects the teacher.
 The scout troop meets every Sunday afternoon at my
house.
 The young couple loves to shop yard sales with one
another.

Misleading nouns

When a plural noun represents a singular body of
knowledge it is singular


Mathematics, athletics, news, statistics, measles,
economics, physics

Statistics is one of the most difficult courses for an
undergraduate to take in college. (Statistics takes a singular
verb because it is speaking of a singular class)

Statistics on teenage violence are hard to read about as a
parent. (Statistics takes a plural verb because it speaking about
separate items and not a singular body of knowledge)
Titles often appear plural but should be treated as singular


Lost Cities is an excellent book that everyone should read.
Controlled substances is a euphemism for street drugs.