A singular subject takes a singular verb
Ex. The cat is brown.
A plural subject takes a plural verb
Ex. The apples are delicious
must have plural verbs
Example:
Apples and bananas are my favorite food.
My mother and I get up at 7 a.m. everyday.
require singular verb
Example: SingularBacon and eggs seems to be the most
popular item on the breakfast menu.
Require a singular verb
Example:
My classmate and friend treats me well.
same person
The subject closest to the verb should agree with the verb
Example: Either the president or the senators attend
the gathering.
Example:
My car or Ted’s car is always available.
Either the children or I walk home.
The subject comes after the verb
There are three apples in the basket.
three apples: subjectare: verb
Here are my friends.
As well as; along with; together with; and other words
Do not affect subject-verb agreement
The girl who loves flowers goes to church.
Don’t be confused by extra phrases!
Example:
The student, though she had lots of problems in other schools, finds/find (?) her new class easy. The student, though she had lots of problems in
other schools, finds her new class easy. The student finds her new class easy.
Don’t be confused by extra phrases!
May be singular or plural depending on meaning
Our school team has won all its games.
clue
Note: the team as a whole
May be singular or plural depending on meaning
The cast of the play are rehearsing their lines.
clue
Note: the individual members
Take singular verbs
Example:
Measles is a contagious disease.
Physics is a science subject.
Take plural verbs
Example: savings, stairs, scissors, trousers, pants, earnings, goods (and others)
Her trousers are on the sofa.
The goods were given to us.
Take singular verb
Transformers is my favorite movie.
Game of Thrones is my favorite t.v. series.
Take singular verbs
Ten years is too long for me to wait.
Two million pesos is enough to finance her growing expenses.
Twelve feet is the length of the room.
May take a singular or a plural verb depending on the noun it modifies
Example:
50 percent of the houses need major repairs.
Ten percent of the forest is destroyed.
Take singular verb
Example: another, anybody, anyone, anything, each,
every, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, something (and others)
Each of the students has received a passing grade.
Somebody has to decide whether topaint the kitchen this year.
[One person (one body) will make the decision.]
Take plural verb
both, few, many, several, others (and others)
I spent the afternoon shopping for a camera, but few were reasonably priced.
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