Subject Verb Agreement

Rule #1

• Use a singular verb after each, neither, everyone, 

everybody, nobody, and someone. – Nobody is here.– Everybody helps when there is a crisis.– Somebody wants to speak to you.

Rule #2• If you use either-or, look at the subject closest

to the verb.  If the subject closest to the verb is singular, use a singular verb; likewise, if the subject is plural, use a plural verb.– Either Miss Brown or Jane writes on the

blackboard.– Either the teacher or the students write on the

blackboard.

• his also applies to not only. . .but also, and neither. . .nor.  The subject closest to the verb determines whether the verb is singular or plural.– 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 or Jane writes on the

blackboard.– Neither the teacher n or the

students write on the blackboard.

Rule #3

• When using as well as, except, in addition to, no less than, and with, the noun before these phrases determines the number.– My problem with you is you don't listen!– Ford in addition to Mercedes Benz is lowering

its car prices to encourage better sales.– The students in addition to the teacher are all

receiving special recognition for their excellent research.  

Rule #4

• Measurements of money, time, and distance usually require a singular verb.– One hundred dollars is a lot of money for a

bottle of wine.– 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

Rule #5

• The following words almost always use the plural form of verbs: all, both, few, many, several, and some.– Some people in my office are very annoying– Few mountain climbers have successfully

reached the peak of Mt. Everest. 

Rule #6• 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. When none means or suggests more than one thing or person, use the plural form of the verb.– None of them is able to do that job.– None are helpless because they can always try.

Rule #7

Here and there cannot be subjects. Therefore, if a sentence begins with here or there, look for the subject and write the correct form of the verb.

Here is my jacket. (jacket is singular)Here are my shoes. (shoes is plural)

Rule #8

• When the word number is preceded with the word a, use a plural verb.  When the word number is preceded with the word the, use a singular verb.– A number of people are waiting to see you– .The number of stars in the

sky seems countless.

Subject Verb Agreement Quiz

Directions: Select the correct form of the verb in the sentence.

1.  Some people  is/are/am  very good at math.

2.  Somebody   have/has    the winning lottery ticket.

3.  The doctor who has visited dozens of countries and has helped thousands of patients all around the world   is/are/am   over there.

4.  There   is/are/am   two sides to every argument.

5.  5,280 feet   is/are/am   a mile. 

6.  Jill as well as Jack   is/are/am   up the hill.

7.  Either Heather or I   go/goes  .

8.  A:  There   is/are/am   a lot of people here.•   B:  Yeah.  Everybody   is/are/am   here for

you.  All of them   is/are/am  waiting to listen to your speech.

9.  Ten dollars   is/are/am   a nice raise.  I need the extra money.  

10.  Rice   is/are/am   a common food all over the world.  It   is/are/am   very cheap.  Two bags of rice   cost/costs  only $7.

11.  Either the bus driver or the motorcycle rider is/are/am responsible for the accident.

12.  Neither the 23 children in the class nor Tony seem/seems to be upset about failing the spelling bee.

13.  A large number of countries is/are/am members of the United Nations.

14.  Not only the fans but also the team's head coach was/were shocked to be in the championship game.

15.  The number of computer advances is/are/am increasing every year.

1.  Some people   are   very good at math. (see rule #5)

2.  Somebody   has    the winning lottery ticket.(see rule #1)

3.  The doctor who has visited dozens of countries and has helped thousands of patients all around the world   is   over there.

The subject is doctor.  The verb is is.  All of the words between doctor and is form to make an adjective clause that describes doctor.  

4.  There   are   two sides to every argument.(see rule #7)

5.  5,280 feet   is   a mile. (see rule #4)

6.  Jill as well as Jack   is   up the hill. (see rule #3)

7.  Either Heather or I   go   . (see rule #2)

8.  A:  There   are   a lot of people here.   B:  Yeah.  Everybody   is   here for you.  All of them  

are   waiting to listen to your speech. (see rules 7, 1, and 5)

9.  Ten dollars   is   a nice raise.  I need the extra money.  (see rule #4)

10.  Rice   is   a common food all over the world.  It   is   very cheap.  Two bags of rice   cost    only £7. 

(see rule #3)

11.  Either the bus driver or the motorcycle rider is responsible for the accident. 

(see rule #2)

12.  Neither the 23 children in the class nor Tony seems to be upset about failing the spelling bee. (see rule #2)

13.  A large number of countries are members of the United Nations. (see rule #8)

14.  Not only the fans but also the team's head coach was shocked to be in the championship game. (see rule #2)

15.  The number of computer advances is increasing every year. (see rule #8)