Subject verb agreement
# Basic rule
• Singular subjects must have singular verbs.
Plural subjects take plural verbs
•
1. The pronoun “YOU” always
takes a plural verb.
Examples:
•
You were invited to come.
•
You are asked to clean the room.
•
You sing so well.
•
2. If a sentence begins with HERE or THERE, the verb agrees with the
subject which follows it.
Examples:
•
Here are the ways on how to preserve meat.
•
There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor.
•
3.If two subjects , one single and one plural, are connected by EITHER/
OR or NEITHER /NOR , the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Examples:
•
Neither the players nor the coach is joining.
•
Either the conductor or the singers are attending the concert.
•
4. A singular subject followed by interviewing words or phrases such as
WITH, AS WELL AS, IN ADDITION TO, ACCOMPANIED BY , TOGETHER WITH and NO LESS
THAN, takes a singular verb.
Examples:
•
Jake, accompanied by his sisters , is enrolling in PCC.
•
Daddy, as well as my brothers, is enjoying the party.
•
5. Singular subjects joined by AND require a plural verb , except when
they mean one thing.
Examples:
•
Larry and Mercy are reading novels.
•
My teacher and friends is here.
•
6.Two singular subjects joined by EITHER/OR or NEITHER /NOR take a singular
verb.
Examples:
•
Either Mommy or Daddy is coming with me at the outbound.
•
Neither Ferdie nor Dulce is waiting for you.
•
7. If a singular subject is followed by a phrase containing a plural
noun,the verb is singular.
Examples:
•
One of the boys is yelling so loud.
•
One of the members is against the rule.
•
8. The indefinite pronouns SEVERAL, FEW, BOTH, MANY, OTHERS are always
plural.
Examples:
•
Both were asking to be freed.
•
Several are seeking justice.
•
9. The indefinite pronouns SOME, MOST, ALL, NONE are singular or plural
according to the meaning of the sentence.
Examples:
•
Some of the girls were absent.
•
Some of the ice cream is left.
•
10.When any of the following indefinite pronouns is the subject , the
verb is singular: EVERYBODY, EACH, NO ONE, ANOTHER, ANYBODY, NOBODY,
EVERY,NOTHING, EVERYTHING, ANYONE EITHER, NEITHER, EVERYONE, SOMEBODY, SOMEONE.
Example:
•
Every man and woman in this hall
is a member.
•
11. Expressions of time, money, weight, and distance are singular even
if the form is plural.
•
Examples:
•
Two years is a long time to wait.
•
One million dollars was given back to the owner.
•
12. When the amount of money refers to separate units, the verb is
plural.
•
Examples:
•
Five 25-centavo coins were found.
•
Sixty 100- peso bills were added to the budget.
•
13. The following words are always plural: PANTS,TROUSERS, PLIERS,
SCISSORS, SHEARS, TONGS. However, if the word PAIR is used , the verb is
singular.
•
Examples:
•
The pants are torn into two.
•
The pair of scissors was placed on the table.
• 14. Certain nouns , though
plural in form , are singular in meaning and therefore take singular verbs.
• Examples:
• Mathematics is my favorite
subject.
• The latest news is alarming to
the public.
•
15. When the word is preceded by A, it takes a plural verb. When it is
preceded by THE , it takes a singular verb.
•
Examples:
•
A number of students are waiting outside.
•
The number of students outside is not recorded yet.
•
16. When fractions are used , the verb agrees with the object of the OF
PHRASE.
•
Examples:
•
One half of the cake was consumed.
•
One fourth of the employees were attending the seminar.
•
17.These nouns may be singular or plural in meaning: ATHLETICS ,
GENETICS,POLITICS, GYMNASTICS, STATISTICS. When the noun refers to an organized
activity , it is singular; When the noun refers to the activities of
individuals within a group, or to varied activities, it is plural.
•
Examples:
•
Gymnastics is very popular among girls.
•
The gymnastics shown in the field today were outstanding.
•
18. The name of a country is always regarded as singular.
•
Examples:
•
The Bahamas has beautiful
beaches.
•
Philippines is a wondrous place.
•
19. Adjectives used as nouns are considered plural.
•
Examples:
•
The poor are to be helped .
•
The efficient are what this country needs.
•
20. Collective nouns may be singular or plural depending on whether the
individual members are acting individually or collectively. These nouns are :
COMPANY, GROUP, COMMITTEE, CROWD, JURY, FLOCK, TEAM.
•
Examples:
•
The committee is against the plan( acting collectively-singular)
•
The committee are of different
opinion.( acting individually-plural)
21. If a sentence begins with the expletive IT, the verb is always
singular even if the subject that follows
the verb is plural.
•
Examples:
•
It is the schools which must assume the responsibility.
•
It is us who must take care of the environment.
22. Names of organizations
take a singular verb when the whole organization is referred to, and a plural
verb when the members are referred to.
•
Examples:
•
Lopez and Sons is a successful organization.
•
Lopez and Sons are holding a two-day annual meeting.
•
•
23.Titles of books, plays,
articles, movies,etc. are regarded as
singular even though words in the title may be plural.
•
Examples:
•
“In Dreams Begin Responsibilities”
is a story by D. Schwartz.
•
“ Great Expectations” is a must read
novel.
•
24.In the use of mathematical
expressions, the following are accepted.
•
Examples:
•
Seven plus three is ten.
•
Seven and three are ten.
•
Five times two are ten.
•
Five minus two is three.
•
25.Many a/an+ singular common noun + singular verb
•
Examples:
•
Many a man has done so.
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