What are the 20 rules of subject-verb agreement?

Answer 1

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

The subject and the verb must agree in number: both must be singular or both must be plural. Students have problems with subject verb agreement when the verb is a form of be or have, or when the verb is in present tense.

Rules for subject verb agreement

1. When words like the following are used as subjects, they take singular verb.

Everybody

Anybody

Somebody

Nobody

Each

Everyone

Anyone

Someone

No one

Either

Everything

Anything

Something

Nothing

Neither

Everybody knows the answer.

Nobody speaks German here.

Somebody was in the room.

1. When every and each come before a singular subject joined by and, the verb is singular.

Every man and woman has the right to vote.

Each student and teacher was aware of the difficulty.

1. Prepositional phrases that come between the subject and the verb do not change the number of the subject.

The teacher as well as the students was working on the problem.

The mother together with her children is waiting.

Some examples of prepositional phrases that function like that are:

As well as

In addition to

Together with

Along with

Except

1. When the verb comes before the subject as in there or here sentences, it agrees with the subject that immediately follows the verb.

There is a tree in the garden.

There are many trees in the garden.

There is a pine tree and some oaks in the garden.

There goes the cat.

There seems to be a relationship.

There arise problems.

There arises a problem.

1. "Introductory it" is always singular.

It is my sister who works in the hospital.

It is my cats which cause the trouble.

1. Subjects joined by and take a plural verb (except for number 2).

My sister and brother live in Berlin.

Both the teacher and the student were surprised.

1. Several, many, both, few are plural words and take a plural verb.

Both are happy with the grades they got.

Many were lost on the way.

Few have done their homework.

1. Some nouns are always plural and always take a plural verb.

• Trousers, pants, slacks, shorts, briefs, jeans
• Glasses, sunglasses
• Scissors, pliers, tweezers

My jeans are old.

This year shorts are in fashion.

Where are my scissors?

1. Some words such as none, any, all, more, most, some, majority, half may take either singular or plural verbs depending on the meaning.

All the money has been spent.

All of the students know the answer.

1. When subjects are joined by words such as neither, either, not only the verb must agree with the closer subject.

Either the man or his wife knows the answer.

Either the man or his friends know the answer.

Either the children or the man knows the answer.

1. Collective nouns are usually singular when regarded as a unit.

My family lives in Ankara.

Our team has won every game this year.

Sometimes when the members are seen as functioning independently, these collective nouns may be plural.

My family have a lot of money. (members of my family)

Our team are working hard to win every game they play. (team members)

· Some collective nouns in this group are:

Family, team, crew, class, government, committee

1. Some nouns have the same singular and plural form. They take singular or plural verb depending on the meaning.

This species of monkeys lives only in India.

There are many species of monkeys.

· Some nouns in this group are:

Species, series, deer, fish, sheep

1. Expressions stating amount of time, money, weight, volume are plural in form but take a singular verb as in:

Three weeks is a long time.

Two hundred dollars is a lot of money.

1. Some nouns look plural with -s but they take a singular verb.

Sciences

Abstract nouns

Diseases

Physics

Mathematics

Statistics

Economics

News

Politics

Ethics

Measles

Mumps

Maths is found difficult by many students.

Statistics requires complicated methods.

1. Generic references with the require plural verb.

The rich are not always happy.

The young like to listen to loud music.

The old hate loud music.

The English are distant and the French are humorous.

Answer 2

1. Subjects and verbs must have the same number. Thus, a singular subject requires a singular verb form, and a plural subject requires a plural verb form.

The girl plays the clarinet. The dogs bark. The juggling of family obligations and career responsibilities makes college difficult for many students.

2. Don't let words that come between the subject and verb affect agreement.

The various types of drama were not discussed. Jerome, who hit the two homeruns last night, is the best player.

The price of those shoes is too high.

3. Don't be confused when certain prepositions occur between the subject and verb (e.g., along with, as well as, besides, in addition to, including, together with).

The coach, along with the players, protests the decision. The biology teacher, in addition to some parents, is taking the bus to the science museum with the class. The accountant as well as his office manager is attending the conference in Seattle.

4. In sentences beginning with "there" or "here," the subject will follow the verb. Take care to identify the subject before deciding which verb form to use. Remember "there" and "here" can never be subjects.

There is an abundance of azaleas in the back garden this spring. Here are the keys to your car.

5. In a question, where the usual subject-verb word order is not followed, be careful to find the subject before deciding which verb form to use.

Was the bus on time? Do mother and dad really want to renew their marriage vows this spring?

Is there a purpose to this assignment? Does James always work so efficiently? Where are my shoes? Are Jim and his sister at home? Was Mary planning to enter the competition?

6. Subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb.

The cook and the waitresses are asking for a raise. My sister and her children were swimming all afternoon.

Exceptions:

a. If the two subjects refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular.

The owner and manager of the 7-Eleven on the corner was robbed last night. Sue's friend and advisor was surprised by her decision. Macaroni and cheese is my favorite Friday night dinner. Peanut butter and jelly was always my son's favorite sandwich. Spaghetti and meatballs is the specialty of the house in this Italian restaurant. Strawberries and cream was added to the menu.

b. If words like each, every, many a, or no come before the subject, the verb is singular:

Every boy and girl at the party was given a present to take home. Each envelope and piece of paper has the name of the company on it. Each dog and each cat has been immunized. No talking and no laughing is permitted in the library.

7. Subjects joined by or, nor, either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also are handled in the following manner:

a. If the subjects are both singular, the verb is singular.

Julie or Tisha is responsible for baking the birthday cake. Neither the doll nor the tea set is too expensive.

b. If the subjects are plural, the verb is plural.

Roses or geraniums are going to be planted under the picture window in the front yard. Neither the students nor the teachers were impressed by his comments.

c. If one subject is singular and one plural, the verb is matched with the nearer subject:

Neither Daniel nor his brothers plan to go deep-sea fishing this morning. Neither his brothers nor Daniel plans to go deep-sea fishing this morning. Does Joe or his friends want some pizza? Do your sisters or Joe want some pizza?

**Good shortcut--for rule #7 above, just look at the subject closest to the verb. If the subject is singular, choose the singular form of the verb; if the subject is plural, choose the plural form of the verb.

8. An infinitive used as a subject of a sentence takes the singular form of the verb. However, two infinitives joined by "and" take the plural form of the verb.

To be a good husband was Jim's ambition. In Basketball, to dribble well and to shoot accurately require practice.

9. A gerund that is used as the subject of a sentence takes the singular form of the verb. (Gerunds are "ing" words that function as nouns, not verbs.) However, two gerunds linked by "and" take the plural form of the verb.

Saddling the wild horse was no easy task for the cowboy. Tuning the engine on this old car requires patience.

Preparing a resume and interviewing with prospective employers are two important steps in the job-hunting process. Collecting antique jewelry and playing the banjo are my hobbies.

**But be careful: Note the following two sentences. In each of these, there is no gerund acting as the subject.

Perching in the moonlight on the tall tree branch was an old owl. ("owl" [subject] was perching [verb])

Running down the street were two police officers. ("officers" [subject] were running [verb])

10. In general, use a singular verb with collective nouns regarded as a unit. (Examples of common collective nouns are audience, jury, herd, senate, public, council, crowd, family, class, board, assembly, committee, panel, orchestra, group.)

The team plays well after a good night's sleep. (team refers to the whole group)

The jury has been deliberating for two days. (jury refers to the whole group)

Exception: Use the plural form of the verb if the collective noun refers to individuals in a group.

The majority of the students were studying in the computer lab. (majority refers to many individual students)

Note this special rule: The phrase "the number" is treated as singular; "a number" is treated as plural.

The number of employees has decreased this year. (number regarded as a unit)

A number of employees are being fired this year. (number refers to many individual employees)

11. Some nouns that end in "s" are singular in meaning and take singular verbs (e.g., news, civics, measles, diabetes, AIDS, gymnastics, aerobics, electronics, statistics, ethics, physics, and politics). Also, titles of books, movies, short stories, newspaper and magazine articles, poems, and plays may be plural in form but are considered singular in number. The names of some businesses, geographical entities, and words referred to as words are treated similarly.

Statistics is not being offered this semester. The Birds is one of Alfred Hitchcock's most well-known thrillers.

The Wings of the Dove, a complex novel by Henry James, was recently shown on network television.

Finkle Brothers has a sale this week. The Philippines has a tropical climate. "Homo sapiens' is often misspelled.

12. Indefinite pronouns like each, either, neither, one, no one, nothing, nobody, anyone, anything, anybody, everyone, everything, everybody, someone, something, and somebody usually take singular verbs.

Each of the hunters wears a red jacket. Everybody on patrol tonight needs to be on high alert.

Neither of the women has a reliable car. Anyone is permitted to participate in the race.

13. Some indefinite pronouns are always plural (both, few, many, several).

Both were at fault in the opinion of the army general. Many of my classmates are going on the trip to Mexico.

14. Noun and pronoun subjects like all, any, most, none, more, part, some, half, one-half, two-thirds, a lot of may take either a singular or plural verb, depending on the prepositional phrase that follows them. (This is the only circumstance in which the object of the preposition is ever considered.)

All of the pie is gone. All of the cookies are gone. None of the oil from the car has dripped onto your driveway. Some of the cake was eaten. Some of the puzzle's pieces were found in the closet.

15. A relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that) used as the subject of a clause takes a singular or plural verb depending on its antecedent. In other words, you must know which word the pronoun refers to before you decide which verb to use.

Every volunteer who works tonight must wear safety glasses. I bought the peach that was ripe. I bought the peaches that were ripe. She is a competent employee who is expected to succeed.

Note: For phrases like "one of the students who" or "one of the things that," logic must dictate. (A phrase with "only one" takes a singular verb.)

16. When units of measurement for distance, time, volume, height, weight, money, etc. are used as subjects, they usually take the singular verb form.

Two teaspoons of sugar was all that the cake recipe called for. Four pounds of rice seems to be more than we really need. Five dollars is too much to pay for a hot dog.

17. Only the subject affects the form of the verb.

My dog's biggest problem in this hot weather is fleas.

Answer 3

1. The subject and verb must agree in number.

*Gelo sings gracefully.

2. Compound subject take plural verb.

*Rosa and Carmen are the best friends in school.

3. A compound subject referring to a single person takes a singular verb.

*My confidant and adviser is my mother.

4. Compound subjects modified by eachand every are singular.

*Every Father and mother carries out the assigned role.

5. The verb agrees with its subject, not with the predicate nominative.

*Books and magazines are the only material for his report.

6. When compound subjects are joined by or, nor, either-or, neither-nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer it.

*Neither the singers nor the composer is benefited by the concert.

7. When regarded as a unit, a collective noun is singular.

*The committee stands firm to impose its decision.

8. When regarded as individuals, a collective noun is plural.

*The audience are clapping their hands after each number.

9. When preceded by the article a, the subject number is plural.

*A number of poor children are afflicted by the epidemic.

10. When preceded by the article the, the subject number is singular.

*The number of absentees from the English class is reduced.

11. The verb agrees with the affirmative, not with the negative subject.

*You, not I, are accountable for the loss of the book.

12. Singular indefinite pronouns like someone, anyone, each, neither, either, take singular verbs.

*Someone is by your side to support you at the confrontation.

13. The plural indefinite pronouns such as all, both, several, few, many, take plural verbs.

*Few have come and attended however.

14. Many a followed by a singular noun takes singular verb.

*Many a novel has been written on love.

15. Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning takes singular verb.

*Statistics provides the numerical data in question.

16. Scissors, refreshments, clothes, pliers, etc. are always plural.

*Refreshments are now served at the canteen.

17. Impersonal pronoun it at the beginning of a sentence is followed by a singular verb.

*It is his suggestions that finally take precedence.

18. An amount of money, space of time or unit of measurement even in plural form, take a singular verb.

*Three meters of cloth makes a dress for my size.

19. Fractions are singular or plural depending upon the of phrase.

*One half of the class misses out the first period.

20. Adjectives used as a nouns are considered plural.

*The old need some recognition to feel that they are belong.

21. Singular verbs are used with mathematical abstractions.

*Four times eight is thirty two.

22. The indefinite pronoun none is singular but may occasionally require plural verb.

*None of the students have done their homework.

23. A relative pronoun used as a subject of the verb takes a verb that agrees with the antecedent of the pronoun.

*He, who isyour brother and friend, understands your situation.

Answer 4

1. Singular subject takes a singular verb. Plural subject takes plural verb. Unlike nouns, verbs take the 's' in singular form and not for the plural. For eg:- Student learns but Students learn.

2. Compound subjects always take the plural verb.

3. In case of correlative (paired) conjunctions, the verb should agree with the noun closer to itself. For eg:- Either the book or the papers are kept in the shelf. OR Either the papers or the book is kept in the shelf.

4. Collective nouns always take a singular verb. But, in some cases where there is disagreement, can be considered as plural. For eg:- The staff has done all the work. OR The staff (members) have not been in good terms.

5. In some cases, the verb precedes the subject. For eg:- There is a basket. OR There are a few baskets.

6. With indefinite pronouns, always use a singular verb.

7. Cross out prepositional phrases. They are not part of the subject. For eg:- The mother, along with her children, is going. OR The The spoons, as well as the bowl, are kept on the table.

8. With quantities, the verb has to be used in accordance with the noun that follows the quantity. For eg:- Some of the cake was eaten. OR Some of the cakes were eaten.

9. For distances, time periods, measurements, height, weight, sums of money age, always use a singular verb as it is considered to be a unit.

10. With questions, the verb precedes the subject.

11. Uncountable and abstract nouns always take a singular verb. For eg:- Water is very precious. Anger leads to violence.

12. The expression'A number' is considered as plural because it means 'A few' whereas 'The number' is considered as singular because it refers to a specific number.

13. Ordinal numbers always take a singular verb, no matter how big the number is. For eg:- There are twenty bottles on the table. The eighth one is mine.

14. With 'one of those who', use a plural verb. -For eg:- She is one of those students who attend class regularly.

15. With 'the only one of those who', use a singular verb. For eg:- She is the only one of those students who attends class regularly.

16. Paired objects take a plural verb if mentioned by themselves, but take a singular verb if the word 'pair' is mentioned. For eg:- My sunglasses are in the cupboard. OR My pair of sunglasses is in the cupboard.

Answer 5

The most important rule is that subjects and verbs must agree in number and person. See the related link below for a more detailed list.