Subject – verb agreement rules

SUBJECT – VERB AGREEMENT

RULESPresented by:

Ma’am Aiza Santos

Why do we need to be English-proficient?

Watch this…

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 subject takes plural verb.

Singular subject-one person or object.

Plural subject- two or more persons or objectsSingular verb- -s or –es formPlural verb- base or simple form

Linking Verbs / Helping verbs

SingularPlural

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 ask many 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

everyonesomeone either

everybodysomebody neither

anyone no one

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 and mean a single idea take a singular verb.

Examples:• John’s book and videotape were missing.

• Grilled ham and cheese is what I often have for breakfast.

• My sister and my best friend are very supportive.

• My sister and best friend is very 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 the President agrees to sign the bill.

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.

•I, not you, am responsible for the error.

8. The expression a number requires 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 pie was eaten.

•Some of the apple pies were 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 person who disagreed with the president.

•There are three important issues to be discussed.

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.

newsgymnastics

mathematicseconomics

physicsmeasles

speciesathletics

politicsmumps

Examples:• Our politics needs sensible and compassionate leaders.

• Mathematics is easy if you are diligent.

•Last night’s news was shocking.

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 committeejury armychoir audienceschool orchestra

Examples:• The school makes its stand regarding the controversial issue.

• The committee debate on the matter.

•The jury have disagreed 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 is required 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

required.

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 need lubrication.

• The pants are expensive.

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

Examples:• Many are called but few are 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.

•The meek are blessed.

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 to be repaired.

Activity

Thank You!