Rules of Subject Verb Agreement

Rules of Subject Verb
Agreement
Subject
• The one being talked about in the
sentence.
• Example:
• He walks with his pet.

• Subject:
• He
• The baker makes yummy
cakes.
• Subject:
• baker
Verb
• The action done in a sentence.
• Example:
• He walks with his pet.

• Verb:
• walks
• The baker makes the
cake.
• Verb:
• makes
BASIC RULE
• Singular subject takes singular
verb.
• She writes everyday.
• Plural subject takes plural verb.

• They write everyday.
Singular
• She talks.
• The boy walks.
• The box is big.
• The baby cries.
• My mom bakes cookies.
Plural
• They talk.
• The boys walk.
• The boxes are big.
• The babies cry.
• My mom and dad bake cookies.
1. The pronoun “you” always
takes a plural verb.
• Examples:
• You are pretty.
• You sing so well.
• You are asked to resign.
• You make me happy.
• You eat so fast.
2. If a sentence starts with “there”
or “ here”, the verb agrees with
the subject which follows it.
There is a meeting today.
•Here are the ways on how to bake brownies.

•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.
• Neither the players nor the coach is
joining.
• Neither the player nor the coaches are

joining.
• Either the conductor or the
singers are attending the
concert.
• Either the conductors or the

singer is attending the
concert.
4. A singular subject followed by
intervening words or phrases such
as, WITH, AS WELL AS, IN
ADDITION TO, ACCOMPANIED BY,
AND TOGETHER WITH, takes
singular verb.
• Mommy, as well as my sisters, is enjoying
the party.
• Jin, accompanied by his brothers, is
enrolling in Ateneo.
• Agnes, together with her
friends, celebrates her birthday.
5.Singular subjects joined by
AND require a plural verb, except
when they mean one thing.
• Shanik and James are attending the
seminar.
• My teacher and friend is here.

6. Two singular subjects joined
by EITHER/OR or
NEITHER/NOR take a singular
verb.
• Either Josh or Bimby is coming with me
at the school concert.
• Neither Kim nor Alice is waiting for you.

7. If a singular subject is followed
by a phrase containing a plural
noun, the verb is singular.
• 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.
• Both are asking to be automous.
• Several are seeking justice.
• Few learners fail their examination.
9. The indefinite pronouns
SOME, MOST, ALL, NONE are
singular or plural according to the
meaning of the sentence.
• Some of the books are imported.

• Some of the snow has melted.
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 and SOMEONE.
• Examples:
• Every man and woman in this hall is a
member.
• You may wear either of the dresses to
the party.
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.
• Four 25- centavo coins were
found.
• Fifty 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.
• 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 a singular verb.
• 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 its
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.
• A number- plural/ The number- singular
• The number of the pencils
is/are ten.
• A number of chairs is/are

provided to the students.
16. When fractions are used, the
verb agrees with the subject of the
OF PHRASE.
• Example:
• One-half of the cinnamon roll was
eaten.
• One-fifth of the staffs were attending the
conference.
17. The name of a country is
always regarded as singular.
• Examples:
• Bahamas has beautiful beaches.
• Philippines is an archipelago.
18. Adjectives used as nouns are
considered plural.
• Examples:
• The poor are to lend a hand.
• The efficient are what this company
needs.
• The humble are loved by all.
• The wicked will eventually

repent of their misdeeds.
• The unemployed are losing

hope.
19. 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)
• Collective nouns (Singular)
(The members of the group are acting
together as a unit.)
• The couple eats out once a
month.
• The jury has reached a
decision.
• Collective nouns (Plural)
• (The members of the group are
acting as individuals.)
• The couple are taking separate
cars to work today.
• The jury were allowed to go home
to their families each day.
20. 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.
Let’s check how well you
understand!
• 1. My sister and my brother (live, lives)
in Panay, Capiz.
• 2. Either the man or his friends( knows,
know) the answer.
• 3. Three weeks (is, are) a long time.
• 4. The news (surprise, surprises) me
today.
• 5. Mumps (is, are) a viral disease.
• 6. Everyone (look, looks) happy and
contented.
• 7. Neither the lion nor the bears (has, have)
escaped from the zoo.
• 8. The Burbs (is,are) a movie starring Tom
Hanks.
• 9. Several people (observe, observes) the
earthquake drill.
• 10. Here (is, are) the papers you
requested.

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Rules of Subject Verb

• He walks with his pet.

• He walks with his pet.

• Plural subject takes plural verb.

•Here are the ways on how to bake brownies.

• Neither the player nor the coaches are

• Either the conductors or the

• My teacher and friend is here.

• Neither Kim nor Alice is waiting for you.

• One of the boys is yelling so loud.

• One of the members is against the

• Some of the books are imported.

• Fifty 100- peso bills were added

• The pants are torn into two.

• A number of chairs is/are

• The wicked will eventually

• The unemployed are losing

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