SUBJECT – VERB AGREEMENT RULES

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Ma’am Aiza Santos

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Subject- Verb Agreement

A verb changes whenever its subject

changes in number and person.

Here are the rules:

1. A verb must agree with its subject in person and in number. A singular subject

takes singular verb, while a plural

Singular subject-one person or object.

Plural subject- two or more persons or objects

Singular verb- -s or –esformPlural verb- base or simple form

Linking Verbs / Helping verbs

Singular Plural

is are

was were

am

has have

does do

Examples:

•Marie asks many questions about life.

•Marie and Ana ask many questions about life.

•The students askmany questions about life.

2. Pronouns you and I always require the plural form of the verb even in

cases where they refer to only one person.

Examples:

•Jane, you need to listen attentively.

• Students, you need to listen attentively.

•I need to finish my work today.

3. Singular pronouns take singular verbs; plural pronouns take plural verbs.

Examples:

• She is a diligent worker.• They are diligent workers.

•He wants to be rich.

•We want to be rich.

4. Indefinite pronouns are singular. They always take the singular form of the verb.

each anybodynobody

everyone someoneeither

everybody somebody

Examples:

•Everyone is required to attend the workshop.

•Somebody knocks on the door.

•No one was absent during the

examination.

5. Subjects joined by and usually takes plural verbs. Those joined by and andmean a single idea take a singular verb.

Examples:

• John’s book and videotape were missing.

• Grilled ham and cheese iswhat I often have for breakfast.

• My sister and my best friend are very supportive.

• My sister and best friend isvery supportive.

6. Compound subjects joined by either-or and neither-nor take verbs that agree with the nearer subject.

Examples:

• Either the teacher or the students prepare for the mass action.

Neither the senators nor

7. When a compound subject includes one affirmative and one negative part, make the verb agree with the affirmative part.

Examples:

• You, not she, are allowed to leave.

•

8. The expression a numberrequires plural verb, while the number requires singular verb.

Examples:

• The number of people in the court represents the vigilant citizenry.

•A number of media men now begin to cover the event.

9. Some, half, all, none, part may take either a singular or plural verb depending on how they were used in the context.

Plural-if they mean a number

Singular- if they refer to an amount

Examples:

•Some of the apple piewas eaten.

•Some of the apple pieswere eaten.

•All is finished.•All were present in the ceremony.

10. If the subject and the verb are interrupted by an intervening phrase, such as including, along with, with, together with, etc. ,the verb must still agree with the simple

subject.

Examples:

•Mary, together with her children, prays the rosary.

•I, as well as my friends, am willing to help.

11. In inverted sentences, make the verb agree with the real subject, which usually follows the verb.

Examples:

• There was only one personwho disagreed with the president.

•There are three

Examples:

•Here comes Rex.

•Here come Rex and Tim.

•There goes the culprit.

•There go the culprits.

12. Nouns plural in form but singular in number require singular verbs.

news gymnastics

mathematicseconomics

physics measles

species athletics

politics mumps

Examples:

• Our politics needs sensible and compassionate leaders.

• Mathematics is easy if you are diligent.

•Last night’s news wasshocking.

13. A collective noun takes a singular verb if it is regarded as a unit. However, it takes a plural verb if it refers to the individuals in the group.

team committee

jury army

choir audience

Examples:

• The school makes its stand regarding the controversial issue.

• The committee debate on the matter.

•The jury havedisagreed on the criteria.

14. Units such as amounts, size, time, quantities or distances, when used as a subject of the sentence require the singular form of

the verb.

Examples:

• Five million pesos is the pot money for today’s game.

• The first three months was crucial.

• Two liters of water isrequired for the

experiment.

15. For titles of movies, songs, books, etc., use the singular form of the verb.

Examples:• “The Three Musketeers” was

written by Alexander Dumas.

•“Charlie’s Angels” is her favorite movie.

16. Fractions require verbs depending on the headword in the of-phrase. If the headword is singular, the verb required is singular. If the headword is plural, a plural verb is

Examples:

• Four-fifths of the mangoes have been sold.

• Two-fourths of the pizza was already consumed.

•One-half of the watermelons are rotten.

17. Nouns plural both in form and meaning such as tongs, scissors, trousers, pliers, shears, pants, require plural verbs.

Examples:

• The scissors I borrowed from you are very sharp.

• The pliers needlubrication.

• The pants are expensive.

18. Pronouns many, several, a few, some, and both take plural verbs.

Examples:

• Many are called but feware chosen.

•Both of them need to take time off.

19. Adjectives used as nominals require plural verbs.

Examples:

•The poor are to be helped.

•The brave make good leaders.

20. The pronoun it is always followed by a singular verb.

Examples:

•It is you they want to see.

•The floor has cracks already. It needs

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