23 Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
23 Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
Present Tense Verb Forms
Rule 1.A present tense of verb form agrees with the subject noun pronoun of the sentence. Use a singular verb form with singular noun subjects and with the pronoun subjects he, she, and it. Rule 2. Use a plural verb form with plural noun subjects and with the pronoun subjects I, you, we, and theyExample: They went to market yesterday.
Indefinite Pronoun Subject
Rule 3.The indefinite pronouns in the box below are singular. When one of these indefinite pronoun is the subject of the sentence, use a singular verb form.Example: 1. Everybody participates in class. 2. Either pamphlets is available
Another each everything nothing someoneAnybody either neither one somethingAnyone everybody nobody otherAnything everyone no one somebody
Rule 4.The indefinite pronoun in the box below are plural. When one of these indefinite pronoun is the subject of the sentence, use a plural verb form.Example: Many of them are bring pencil.
Both few many severalRule 5. The indefinite pronouns in the box below may be singular or plural. Use a singular verb form if the indefinite pronoun refers to a singular noun. Use a plural verb form if the indefinite pronoun refers to a singular noun. Use a plural verb form if the indefinite pronoun refers to a plural noun.Example :1. All of the book was fascinating. 2. All of the book were fascinating. all any most none some suchCollective noun subjectsRule 6.Usually a collective noun is used as singular noun. It refer to a group as a singular verb form.Example:1. The family upstairs is never quite. 2.The public is on the match.
Rule 7. Sometimes a collective noun used as a plural noun. It refers to the individual members of a group. When a collective noun with tis meaning is the subject of a sentence, use a plural verb form.Example: 1. The family were quarrelling as usual. 2. The audience disagree with one another.
Intervening words and PhrasesRule 8. A verb form agrees with the subject whether the verb comes next to the subject or is separated from it by other words. Such words in phrases do not change the number of the subject, not with some word in the intervening phrase.Example: Radio, not newspaper is my source of info.
Compound Subject
Rule 9. Use a plural verb with most compound subject connected by and.Example: 1.Good company and good discourse are the powers of virtue all and I were could w/ mud.
Rule 10 . Use a singular verb with a compound subject that refers to one person or one thing that is generally considered as unit-that is ,plural in form but singular in meaning.Example: My new friend is generous and intelligent.
