Subject Verb Agreement

ALS SY 2016

Rule 1: Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms the background of the concept.

Take note:

The subject and verb must agree in number both must be singular, or both must be plural.

Examples

The dog growls when he is angry.

The dogs growl when they are angry.

Rule 2: Don’t get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb; they do not affect agreement.

Example

The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.

Rule 3: Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb usually do not affect agreement.

Example

The colors of the rainbow are beautiful.

Rule 4: . When sentences start with “there” or “here,” the subject will always be placed after the verb, so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.

Examples

There is a problem with the balance sheet.

Here are the papers you requested.

Rule 5: 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.

Examples

Does Lefty usually eat grass?

Where are the pieces of this puzzle?

Rule 6: If two subjects are joined by and, they typically require a plural verb form.

Example

The cow and the pig are jumping over the moon.

Rule 7: The verb is singular if the two subjects separated by and refer to the same person or thing.

Example

Red beans and rice is my mom's favorite dish.

Rule 8: If one of the words each, every, or no before the subject, the verb is singular.

Examples

No smoking or drinking is allowed.

Every man and woman is required to check in.

Rule 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.

Example

Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident.

Rule 10: 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.

Examples

All of the chicken is gone.

All of the chickens are gone.

Rule 11: The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement or time.

Example

Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.

Rule 12: 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.

Rule 13: If one subject is singular and

one plural and the words are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also, you use the verb form of the subject that is nearest the verb.

Examples

Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the zoo. 

Neither the lion nor the bears have escaped from the zoo.

Rule 14: Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs. 

Examples

Everybody wants to be loved.

Someone is looking for you.

Rule 15: pronouns (few, many, several, both, all, some) that always take the plural form.

Examples

Few were left alive after the flood.

Many are called but few are chosen.

Rule 16: If two infinitives are separated by and they take the plural form of the verb.

Example

To walk and to chew gum require great skill.

Rule 17: 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.

Examples

Standing in the water was a bad idea. 

Swimming in the ocean and playing drums are my hobbies.

Rule 18: Collective nouns like herd, senate, class, crowd, etc. usually take a singular verb form.

Examples

The herd is stampeding. The senate is in session.

Rule 19: Titles of books, movies, novels, etc. are treated as singular and take a singular verb.

Example

The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.

Rule 20: Final Rule – Remember, only the subject affects the verb!

Let us answer the activities

Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #1

1. Sally (run, runs) to the park every day.2. The dogs (bark, barks,) at strangers.3. Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies.4. The game (was, were) exciting.5. They (worry, worries) too much.6. She (study, studies) every night.7. Black or white (is, are) your choice.8. That (was, were) incredible.9. Those (is, are) pretty shoes.10. The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.

Let us CHECK the activities

KEY on Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #1

Sally (run, runs) to the park every day. The dogs (bark, barks,) at strangers. Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies. The game (was, were) exciting. They (worry, worries) too much. She (study, studies) every night. Black or white (is, are) your choice. That (was, were) incredible. Those (is, are) pretty shoes. The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.

Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #2

Directions: Put a C if the sentence is correct, an X if it is not correct.

Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #2

1. ___ They have been waiting a long time.2. ___ The pen or the pencil are lost.3. ___ Someone don’t understand.4. ___ Those has been cheaper in the past.5. ___ Randy and Juan like sports.6. ___ These are really special.7. ___ You rides with me.8. ___ All of them goes to school.9. ___ Tony likes Mary.10. ___ That movie was awesome.

Let us Check!

KEY on Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #2

_C_ They have been waiting a long time. _X_ The pen or the pencil are lost. _X_ Someone don’t understand. _X_ Those has been cheaper in the past. _C_ Randy and Juan like sports. _C_ These are really special. _X_ You rides with me. _X_ All children goes to school. _C_ Tony likes Mary. _C_ That movie was awesome.

Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #3

Directions: Underline the correct verb in these sentences.

Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #3

1. The girl or her sisters (watch, watches) television every day.

2. Rob (doesn’t, don’t) like sports.3. His classmates (study, studies) before a test.4. One of the cookies (is, are) missing.5. A lady with 10 cats (live, lives) in that big house.6. Mumps (is, are) very serious.7. The committee (decide, decides) when to adjourn.8. Our team (is, are) the best.9. Everybody (enjoy, enjoys) a good song.10. Either (is, are) suitable.

Let us Check!

KEY on Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #3

The girl or her sisters (watch, watches) television every day.

Rob (doesn’t, don’t) like sports. His classmates (study, studies) before a test. One of the cookies (is, are) missing. A lady with 10 cats (live, lives) in that big house. Mumps (is, are) very serious. The committee (decide, decides) when to adjourn. Our team (is, are) the best. Everybody (enjoy, enjoys) a good song. Either (is, are) suitable

Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #4

Directions: Put a C if the sentence is correct, an X if it is not correct.

Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #4

1. ___ Cats and dogs love to run.2. ___ He don’t like chocolate.3. ___ Her friends or Sarah excel at volleyball.4. ___ Each of these have been ruined.5. ___ Trousers are baggy now.6. ___ The students, as well as the teacher, are nervous

about the test.7. ___ The news are on at 10.8. ___ My family are a lot of fun.9. ___ Mathematics is hard for many.10. ___ The director, with all the cast members, works

very hard.

Let us Check!

KEY on Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #4

_C_ Cats and dogs love to run. _X_ He don’t like chocolate. _X_ Her friends or Sarah excel at volleyball. _X_ Each of these have been ruined. _C_ Trousers are baggy now. _C_ The students, as well as the teacher, are nervous

about the test. _X_ The news are on at 10. _X_ My family are a lot of fun. _C_ Mathematics is hard for many. _C_ The director, with all the cast members, works

very hard.

Final Quiz

1. Some members of the teachers’ union (want, wants) to go on strike.

2. Jane’s raincoat, with all the rips and tears, (provide, provides) little protection.

3. There (is, are) a lot of trees on our block.

4. Where (is, are) my keys?

5. In the background (was, were) a big yellow sun.

6. A small black cat and a large yellow dog (sit, sits) on the front stairs.

7. The boss and her secretary (eat, eats) lunch at the same time.

8. For a delicious salad, fresh ingredients and a large bowl (is, are) essential.

9. Comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothing (was, were) reccommended by the instructor.

10. Not only the students but also the teacher (was, were) anxious to finish the lesson.

11. Neither of those hats (suit, suits) your face.

12. Somebody in the book club always (forget, forgets) to bring the book.

13. Something in that curry (make, makes) me sneeze.

14. One of those socks (is, are) lighter than the other.

15. Everyone (like, likes) Mary’s key lime pie.