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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.