Download Rules for subject verb agreement

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
What is subject verb agreement?
Subject verb agreement refers to the fact that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in
number. In other words, they both must be singular or they both must be plural. You can’t have a
singular subject with a plural verb or vice versa. The tricky part is in knowing the singular and
plural forms of subjects and verbs.
Singular and plural subjects, or nouns, are usually pretty easy. In most cases the plural form of a
noun has an “s” at the end. Like this:
Car – singular
Cars – plural
Verbs don’t follow this pattern, though. Adding an “s” to a verb doesn’t make a plural. Here’s
what I mean:
Walk
Walks
Which one is the singular form and which is the plural form? Here’s a tip for you. Ask yourself
which would you use with the word they and which would you use with he or she.
He walks. She walks. They walk.
Since he and she are singular pronouns walks is a singular verb. The word they is plural so walk
is the plural form
Rules for subject verb agreement
1. Agreement Related to Person
First and second persons always takes plural verb, except when using 'was' with first person.
I take it you granted the permission for the play?
I have found it interesting.
I was having my meal when you came in yesterday.
I was there but missed your performance.
Were you in college yesterday? You are a good student.
Third person subjects always take the verb according to the number.
He is a good student.
Jim and Harry are good in singing.
They were talking about the latest movies.
These cats are mine, and that is Joe's.
2. Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs. If the following words come before the
subject, the verb is singular.
Every
Everyone
Everything
Everybody
Anybody
Anyone
Anything
Another
Somebody
Someone
Something
Other
No
No one
Nothing
Nobody
Each
Either
each one
Neither
Example:
Everybody knows the answer. Everybody helps when there is a crisis. Nobody speaks German here.
Nobody is here. Somebody was in the room. Somebody wants to speak to you. Each of the girls is
qualified for the prize. Neither knows how the competition will end. No smoking and drinking is allowed.
Every man and woman is required to check in. Each boy is excited about the meet. Each is well prepared.
Everybody wants to be loved. Every package is thoroughly searched by the customs officer.
Anyone has the right to do that also. Everything is fine for me. Somebody wants what you have
now.
3. When every and each come before a singular subject joined by and, the verb is singular.
Every man and woman has the right to vote.
Each student and teacher was aware of the difficulty.
Note 1: Do not be misled by what follows of.
Examples:
Each of the girls sings well.
Every one of the cakes is gone.
NOTE 2: Everyone is one word when it means everybody. Every one is two words when the meaning is
each one.
4. The indefinite pronouns such as few, Several, majority, all, some, many, several, both e.t.c
always take the plural form of verb.
Few were left alive after the flood. Some people in my office are very annoying.
Few mountain climbers have successfully reached the peak of Mt. Everest. Both are happy
with the grades they got. Many outcomes are possible. Many were lost on the way. Few have
done their homework.
Note 1: Use singular verbs with uncountable nouns that follow an indefinite pronoun:
“All the paint is dried up.”
Note 2: Use plural verbs with countable nouns that follow an indefinite pronoun:
“All the nails are spilled on the floor.”
5. The word none needs special attention. Sometimes it uses a singular verb, and at other
times, it uses a plural verb.
When none means no one or not one, use the singular form of the verb.
None of them is able to do that job. None of the book is reproducible without permission.
When none means or suggests more than one thing or person, use the plural form of the verb.
None are helpless because they can always try. None of the peas are left on Sean’s plate.
6. Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb usually do not affect agreement.
The colors of the rainbow are beautiful.
7. The only time when the object of the preposition factors into the decision of plural or
singular verb forms is when noun and pronoun subjects like some, half, none, more, all,
etc. are followed by a prepositional phrase. In these sentences, the object of the
preposition determines the form of the verb.
All of the chicken is gone. All of the chickens are gone.
8. Sometimes the relative pronoun (who, which, whose, that, or what) is the subject of a verb in the
middle of the sentence. The relative pronoun becomes singular or plural according to the noun
directly in front of them. So, if that noun is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a
plural verb.
Examples:
Lisa is one of the students who have passed with an A. (Many students passed with an A, Lisa
is one of them.)
Lisa is the only one of my students who has passed with an A.(Only Lisa passed with an A.)
Salma is the scientist who writes/write the reports.
The word in front of who is scientist, which is singular. Therefore, use the singular verb
writes.
He is one of the men who does/do the work.
The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb do.
9. If the subjects are both singular and are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor,
either/or, and not only/but also the verb is singular.
Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident.
My sister or my brother is meeting you at the airport.
Neither Carla nor Jeff is available to meet you at the airport.
Either Angie or Jeff is meeting at the airport.
10. If the subjects are both plural and are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor,
either/or, and not only/but also, the verb is plural.
Example: Dogs and cats are both available at the pound.
11. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or,
nor, either-or, neither/nor, not only. . .but also, the verb should always agree with the subject
nearest to the verb.
The athlete or his teammates sprint every day.
His teammates or the athlete sprints every day.
Either the man or his wife knows the answer.
Either the man or his friends know the answer.
Either the children or the man knows the answer.
Either Bill or his family members have to approve it.
Neither his dogs nor his cat has any disease.
Either Miss Brown or Jane writes on the blackboard.
Either the teacher or the students write on the blackboard.
Not only Julie but also Georgette wants to visit grandma.
Not only Julie but also all of the grandchildren want to visit grandma.
Neither Miss Brown n nor Jane writes on the blackboard.
Neither the teacher n nor the students write on the blackboard.
Do your sisters or your girlfriend want any pizza?
12. When a subject is made up of nouns joined by or, the verb agrees with the last noun.
Example: She or I run every day.
Potatoes, pasta, or rice pairs well with grilled chicken.
13. When I is one of the two subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor, put it second and
follow it with the singular verb am.
Example:
Neither she nor I am going to the festival.
14. When combining any two subjects with as well as, with, and except always agree the
verb with the first subject.
Examples:
Jim as well as his friends is a good swimmer. Jim's friends as well as Jim are good swimmers.
Emmerich's films as well as Spielberg's are interesting to me. My problem with you is you
don't listen! The teacher as well as the students was working on the problem. The mother
together with her children is waiting. The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected
shortly. Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.
Some examples of prepositional phrases that function like that are:
As well as, In addition to, Together with, Along with, No less than, combined with, coupled with,
besides, accompanied by, added to,
The students in addition to the teacher are all receiving special recognition for their excellent
research. Ford in addition to Mercedes Benz is lowering its car prices to encourage better
sales.
15. When a phrase/clause comes between the subject and verb, the verb has to agree with the
subject, not with the noun or pronoun in the phrase /clause. Don't get confused by the words that
come between the subject and verb; they do not affect agreement
Two of the puppies are whimpering.
The birthday boy, along with his friends, is anxious for the party to stop.
A can of lima beans sits on the shelf.
The women who went to the meeting were bored.
The pot of eggs is boiling on the stove.
The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.
16. The words here and there have generally been labeled as adverbs even though they
indicate place. Sentences that begin with there is or there are have the subject following
the verb since there is not a subject. Therefore, the verb must agree with the subject that
immediately follows the verb.
There is a tree in the garden. There are many trees in the garden. There is a pine tree and some
oaks in the garden. There goes the cat. There seems to be a relationship. There arise problems.
There arises a problem. There are many paths to success. There is one road out of town. There is a
problem with the balance sheet. Here are the papers you requested. Here is my jacket. (Jacket
is singular) Here are my shoes. (Shoes is plural)
17. “Introductory it” is always singular.
It is my sister who works in the hospital. It is my cats which cause the trouble.
18. Since doesn’t is a contraction of does not it should be used with a singular subject.
Mary doesn’t care for pizza.
19. Don’t is a contraction of do not and requires a plural subject.
They don’t know the way home.
20. If two subjects are joined by and, they typically require a plural verb form. (Except for
number 3).
My sister and brother live in Berlin. Both the teacher and the student were surprised. The cow
and the pig are jumping over the moon.
21. Plural form subjects
Some nouns are always plural and always take a plural verb.
This type of verb are -Trousers, pants, slacks, shorts, briefs, jeans, Glasses, sunglasses, Scissors, pliers,
tweezers
My jeans are old. This year shorts are in fashion. Where are my scissors? The tweezers are in the
cupboard. The scissors are on the table. But “The pair of scissors is on the table” is correct.
22. Some nouns look plural in form with –s but singular in meaning and take a singular verb.
Sciences
Abstract nouns
Diseases
Physics
News
Measles
Mathematics
Politics
Mumps
Statistics
Ethics
Economics
Maths is found difficult by many students. Statistics requires complicated methods.
Physics is my favorite subject. Mumps is a contagious disease.
23. Use singular or plural verbs for subjects plural in form but plural or singular in meaning
depending on the context: (e.g. politics, economics, etc.)
Example: Politics is an interesting subject.
In this example, politics is a single topic; therefore, the sentence has a singular verb.
The politics of the situation were complicated.
In this example, politics refers to the many aspects of the situation; therefore, the sentence has
a plural verb.
The economics of the situation are complicated,” but “Economics is a complicated topic.
24. Collecting noun phrases (a bunch of, a group of, a set of, etc.) take either a singular or plural
verb, depending on whether the emphasis is on the individual units or on the group as whole:
A group of boys were digging in my flower beds!
A set of 12 dishes is all you need for the dinner party.
25. The phrase more than one takes a singular verb (yes, I know that doesn’t sound logical; try to
remember that one is followed by something, whether explicitly or implicitly).
More than one box is sitting in the hallway.
More than one is sitting in the hallway.
26. Collective nouns take either a singular or plural verb, depending on whether the
emphasis is on the individual units or on the group as whole.
Collective nouns are usually singular when regarded as a unit.
The herd is stampeding. My family lives in Ankara. Our team has won every game this year.
His staff is assembled. Staffs are asked to go to the conference room immediately. The football
team is practicing night and day for the Super Bowl.
Sometimes when the members are seen as functioning independently, these collective nouns
may be plural.
My family have a lot of money. (Members of my family)
Our team are working hard to win every game they play. (team members)
Boston’s school committee disagree about what to cut from the school budget.
Some collective nouns in this group are:
Family, team, crew, class, government, committee, couple, staff, herd, senate, class, crowd,
group, jury
27. Some nouns have the same singular and plural form. They take singular or plural verb
depending on the meaning.
This species of monkeys lives only in India.
There are many species of monkeys.
Some nouns in this group are: Species, series, deer, fish, sheep e.t.c.
28. With money, if the amount is specific, use a singular verb; if the amount is vague, use a
plural verb.
Two hundred dollars is a lot of money.
One hundred dollars is a lot of money for a bottle of wine.
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
Within a year, $5 million was spent on building a new factory, and millions more were spent
on training future factory workers.
29. Expressions stating amount of time, distance, weight, volume are plural in form but take
a singular verb as in:
Examples:
Three weeks is a long time.
Two hours is a long time to wait to see a doctor.
93,000,000 miles is the distance from the sun to the earth.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.
30. With words that indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none,
remainder, and so forth —look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the preposition)
to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is
singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.
Examples:
Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared.
Pie is the object of the preposition of.
Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.
Pies is the object of the preposition.
One-third of the city is unemployed.
One-third of the people are unemployed.
One-fourth of the books are gone.
One-fourth of the sand is white.
31. Use singular verbs for the titles of single entities (books, novels, magazine, movies,
newspaper, compositions, plays /films, organizations, nations, countries, etc.) as they are
always singular.
Examples:
The Grapes of Wrath takes a long time to read.
Ali and the Bull is a fine story.
The Bangladesh times is a good magazine.
“The United Nations is headquartered in New York.”
The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.
The Folklore Society heads the research on folksongs in our province. Beyond All Frontiers
was written byEmma Drummond. Philippines is where my friend lives. The Adventures of
Tom Sawyer is an enjoyable book to read. Herbs and Apples by Santmyer fills me with
memories. The books that was written by Justin makes me decide to live more. His book
entitled "Discussions on Freedom" is my favorite. USA hits every enemy badly that
Afghanistan wasleft to ashes.
32. Non-count nouns require a singular verb.
Milk is important for healthy bones.
Milk is a non-count noun (you can't count it). Therefore the verb “is” is singular. However, if
there is a container, and the container is plural, the verb must be plural.
The two bottles of milk are in the refrigerator.
In the above sentence, the subject is bottles. Bottles, which is a container, is
plural. Therefore, the verb “are” is plural.
33. Generic references with “the” require plural verb.
The rich are not always happy.
The young like to listen to loud music.
The old hate loud music.
The English are distant and the French are humorous.
34. Certain nouns, which always have come together, may take singular verbs. / The verb is
singular if the two subjects separated by and refer to the same person or thing.
Examples: Bread and butter is what he takes in the morning. Red beans and rice is my mom's
favorite dish. Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich
35. Subjects don't always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately identify
the subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use.
Does Lefty usually eat grass? Where are the pieces of this puzzle?
36. If two infinitives are separated by and they take the plural form of the verb.
To walk and to chew gum require great skill.
37. When gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence they take the singular verb form of
the verb, but when they are linked by and they take the plural form.
Standing in the water was a bad idea. Swimming in the ocean and playing drums are my
hobbies.
38. The verb in an adjective clause must agree with the subject it is referring to.
The actors who are from China are attending the awards ceremony tonight.
The adjective clause is who are from China; the subject is actors. The word are must agree
with actors.
39. Some nouns can be both singular and plural depending on the intended meaning. Thus,
as the writer/speaker, you must think about what you want to say and what you mean.
For example, the word Chinese can be both singular and plural. Take a look:
Chinese has about 30,000 characters. (Here, Chinese means the language, which is singular.)
The Chinese have to learn at least 5,000 characters in order to read a newspaper. (Here,
Chinese means Chinese people, which is plural.)
Some phrases related to subject verb agreement.
40. Use plural verbs in constructions of the form “one of those (blank) who . . .”:
“I am one of those eccentrics who do not tweet.” Hannah is one of those people who like to read comic
books.
41. Use singular verbs in constructions of the form “the only one of those (blank) who . . .”:
“I am the only one of my friends who does not tweet.” Hannah is the only one of those people
who likes to read comic books.
42. Use singular verbs in constructions of the form “the number of (blank) . . .”:
The number of people here boggles the mind. The number of volunteers grows each year. The
number of people we need to hire is thirteen. The number of stars in the sky seems
countless.
43. Use plural verbs in constructions of the form “a number of (blank) . . .”:
“A number of people here disagree.” A number of people grow tomatoes each summer.
A number of people have written in about this subject.A number of people are waiting to see
you.
44. Use singular verbs in construction of the forms “every (blank) . . .” and “many a (blank)
. . .”:
“Every good boy does fine”; Every man, woman, and child participates in the lifeboat drill.
Many a child dreams about becoming famous one day. “Many a true word is spoken in jest.”
Monday, January 19, 2009
Lesson 29: Intervening Words and Phrases
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Example 1 Incorrect: Justin's attention to the plants and animals, deserve a consideration.
Correct: Justin's attention to the plants and animals, deserves a consideration.
>>>The subject of the sentence is 'Justin's attention' not 'the plants and animals'. Therefore we use 'deserves'.
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Example 2 Incorrect: Thinking about the typhoon's strong winds give Ana nightmares.
Correct: Thinking about the typhoon's strong winds gives Ana nightmares.
>>>The subject of the sentence is 'the thinking of Ana' not the 'typhoon's strong winds'. Therefore we use 'gives'.
---------Add-on: Sometimes subjects are followed by phrases set off with commas. These phrases, which
begin with words and expressions like like, as well as, along with, and together with, also do not
affect the normal subject-verb relationship.
Example 1: My parents, as well as my cousins, go to the party. ('as well as my cousins' is simply an
intervening phrase. Therefore we use 'go' since the subject of the sentence is plural - 'my parents'.)
Example 2: Justin, along with his friends, goes to the party. ('along with his friends' is simply an
intervening phrase. Therefore we use 'goes' since the subject of the sentence is singular - 'Justin'.)
--------
Exercise:
Choose the appropriate verb for the following sentences:
1.) A string on my electric guitar (is, are) out of tune.
2.) Days during summer (seem, seems) to pass very quickly.
3.) All stars, just like our sun, (has, have) a system of planets.
4.) Justin's stamp and coin collections, as well as his art gallery (was, were) saved from the flood.
5.) My brother Harry, along with Justin and Jesse, (has, have) forgotten to drink the milk.
6.) Those who drive to work always (complain, complains) about the traffic.
7.) The light from the new mercury lamps (brighten, brightens) the sidewalk.
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Sunday, January 18, 2009
Lesson 30: Compound Subjects
---------A Compound Subject is made up of two or more subjects that are connected by and, or,
nor, either..or, neither..nor. Two factors determine the form of the verb that agrees in number
with a compound subject: (1) which conjunction is used in the subject, and (2) whether the words
in the compound subject are singular or plural.
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Example Sentences:
•
The brothers and the sisters are all wonderful.
•
Justin and his friend take evening classes.
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Example Sentences:
•
The president and chairman is the man who established the company. ( This sentence tells us
that the man is both the president and the chairman of the company; therefore we use 'is' since it refers to a
one person only).
•
At one time bread and water was a common menu for any prisoner of war. (The phrase
'bread and water' tells us of a 1 unit; therefore we use 'was').
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Example Sentences:
•
Justin or his girlfriend sleeps every afternoon after lunch.
•
Neither the student nor the teacher always gives a very good opinion.
•
My brothers or your sisters sing that song all the time.
•
Neither the brothers nor the sisters have apologized.
--------
Example Sentences:
•
Neither my mother nor my aunts like to drive the car to work. (Since the plural subject 'aunts'
is nearer to the verb 'like'; therefore we use the plural form of 'like').
•
A teacher or 10 students were relocated to those places. (Since the plural subject '10 students' is
nearer to the verb 'be''; therefore we use the plural form of 'be').
[Review: Is, are, was, were are called be-verbs. They can also be called as linking verbs.]
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Exercise:
Choose the appropriate verb in the following sentences:
1.) His humor and curiosity (fill, fills) my days with smiles.
2.) Neither the children or Mrs. Smith (was, were) on the bus.
3.) Justin, Jesse, or Jay (do, does) the work every night.
4.) Either my parents or my older sister (plan, plans) to meet you tomorrow.
5.) Time and tide (is, are) of no importance.
6.) Either the principal or the teachers (is, are) planning to attend the conference.
7.) Justin could not remember whether the novel The Godfather or the the 3 Godfather movies
(was, were) more violent.
8.) Cheese and crackers (is, are) Justin's favorite snack.
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Sunday, January 18, 2009
Lesson 31: Indefinite Pronoun subjects
Example Sentences:
•
Both of you are going to my office right now.
•
Only few are standing as I can see it from here.
•
Many were terrified by your appearance.
•
Several have a crush on Justin.
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Example Sentences:
•
All of the magazine was fascinating. (refers to a part of one magazine)
•
All the magazines were fascinating. (refers to many magazines)
•
Most of my life is for you.
•
Most of our lives are for you.
---------Exercise:
Choose the appropriate verb in the following sentences:
1.) Each of the team's twelve members (was, were) given a small replica of the championship
trophy.
2.) Every man, woman, and child (eat, eats) everything at the party.
3.) All of the members (was, were) notified.
4.) Few of the apples (is, are) ripe enough to eat.
5.) Neither of the houses (was, were) burned.
6.) Many (volunteer, volunteers), but few (is, are) chosen.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Lesson 34: Words of Amount and Time
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