SIMPLE GUIDE TO A SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT
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Subject and Verb Agreement:
Teacher: Virginia Bautista
1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by AND, use a Plural verb.
Ex. Beth and Wilma are sisters.
2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by OR or NOR, use a Singular verb.
Ex. The bad weather or flood is the reason for the suspension of classes.
3. A compound subject containing both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun, or pronoun joined by OR or NOR, the verb should agree with the nearest subject.
ex. A cup of coffee or slices of bread anybody not what Cynthia wants for snacks.
4. Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.
Ex. None of the applicants is certain to be hired for the position.
5. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.
Ex. Neither of the boys is coming with us.
Everyone enjoys the dinner.
6. Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and news require singular verbs.
Ex. The news does not sound interesting.
Mathematics requires deep analysis.
7. Time, distance, and money require a singular form of the verb.
Ex. Five hundred pesos is not enough for me to buy grocery items in the mall.
8. In sentences beginning with 'there is or there are', the subject follows the verb. Since 'there is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.
Ex. There are many questions raised about the new invention.
9. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular and take a singular verb, such as group, team, committee, class, and family.
Ex. The red team is always winning.
The committee formulates new guidelines for the department.
10. Sometimes modifiers will get between a subject and its verb, but these modifiers must not confuse the agreement between the subject and its verb.
Ex. The seminar which aims to strengthen the work ethics of the employees; is scheduled this morning.
11. Fractional Expressions such as half of, a part of, a percentage of, or a majority of are sometimes singular and sometimes plural, depending on the meaning.
Ex. Half of the students are attending the seminar.
12. The relative pronouns (who, whom, which and that) are either singular or plural, depending on the words they refer to.
Ex. The UP contestants are students who perform well in the singing competition.
13. The phrase A Number always takes a plural form of the verb and The Number requires a singular form of the verb.
Ex. A number of the participants come from the National Capital Region.
14. Adjectives used as nouns always take a plural form of the verb.
Ex. Only the strong survive.
15. Some subjects with AND may be considered as one. In such cases, the verb is singular.
Ex. Bread and butter is a common breakfast for Filipinos.
16. In subjects with EITHER OR or NEITHER NOR, the verb should agree with the nearest subject.
Ex. Neither the students nor the teacher knows that the classes are suspended tomorrow.
17. Proper nouns including titles of books, movies, plays, films, and operas are generally considered singular even if they are in plural form.
Ex. Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorite plays.
18. The word All should not create confusion. Just remember that if the noun that "All" modifies is non-countable, then the verb to be used is singular. But, if "All" modifies a count noun which is in plural form, then the verb must agree with the subject.
Ex. All Filipino physicians go to the USA to practice their profession.
All of my life is spent loving you.
19. Phrases and clauses that function as a subject usually require a singular form of the verb.
Ex. Texting while driving is a dangerous thing to do.
20. Don't forget that the verb agrees with the subject noun, never with the predicate noun.
Ex. Joanne's expensive books are a valuable asset. (VerGarciaBlogs)
If you think this article helps in any way. Please make comment below.
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