Subject and Verb Agreement
What is subject-verb agreement? Review What is subject-verb agreement?
Review In general, subject-verb agreement means… -If the subject is singular, than the verb is singular -If the subject is plural, then the verb is plural Of course, there are always exceptions.
Rules & Examples
*** Orange = the subject Red = the verb Rule #1 - The indefinite pronouns such as anyone, nobody, and someone, must be accompanied by singular verbs since they are singular, as well. Examples: Everyone has arrived to the game. Each of the athletes is talented.
Rule #2 Depending on the subject, some indefinite pronouns can be plural, such as all, some, and none. Examples: All of the papers are scattered. All of the cake is sliced.
Rule #3 -Sentences using as well as, together with, and similar phrases are not interchangeable with the word and. Examples: The teacher as well as her students is going to the assembly. The teacher and her students are going to the assembly.
Rule #4 The words neither and either are accompanied by singular verbs, since they are also singular. Example: Neither of the defenders is playing well.
Rule #5 -In sentences with nor or or, the subject closest to the verb determines whether the verb is singular or plural. Example: Either my mother or my sisters are coming to my play. Either my sisters or my mother is coming to my play.
Rule #6 -Sentences starting with here or there must have a subject that follows the verb; there and here will never be the subject. Example: There are two applications on the desk.
Rule #7 -Verbs in third person and in present tense that are accompanied by singular subjects (such as he, she, and it) should end in -s; other verbs do not end in -s. Example: She likes taking walks on the beach. They like taking walks on the beach.
Rule #8 -Do not let modifiers/descriptions confuse you with the subject-verb agreements. Example: Sally, who must set several alarms, is not used to waking up early.
Rule #9 -Unless specified as “a pair of”, words such as pants, glasses, and scissors are viewed as plural. Example: The pair of white pants is in the basket. The white pants are in the basket.
Rule #10 -Some words that end in -s are actually singular and need singular verbs. Example: Diabetes is a disease that can be deadly.
Rule #11 -Although some words with s-endings are talking about a specific item, the words are still plural and need a plural verb. Example: My earnings have tripled in the past year.
Rule #12 - Phrases speaking of fractions such as a percentage of, half of, and a majority of, can be singular or plural depending on the content. -Products or sums in math will always be singular and have singular verbs. -The phrase “more than one” will always have a singular verb in the sentence. Examples: A majority of the citizens vote in the Presidential Elections. One plus one is two. More than one of the boxes had fallen.
Rule #13 -If there is a positive and negative compound subject in a sentence, and one is plural while the other is singular, the verb must agree with the positive subject. Example: The students, not the teacher, have to write in black ink.
Works Cited Aaron, Jane E. "Using Subjects and Verbs Effectively." The Little, Brown Compact Handbook: With Exercises. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2007. 141-43. Print. Paiz, Joshua M., Chris Berry, and Allen Brizee. "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree." Purdue OWL: Subject/Verb Agreement. Purdue OWL, 01 Apr. 2014. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. "Subject-Verb Agreement." Subject-Verb Agreement. Capital Community College Foundation, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. "Usage - Subject-Verb Agreement." Subject-Verb Agreement. Towson University, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. Warriner, John E. "Agreement of Subject and Verb." Holt High School Handbook. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1995. 77-87. Print.
Each of the athletes is/are talented.
The pair of scissors is/are in the basket.
Either my sisters or my mother is/are coming to my play.
The players, not the coach, has/have to nominate the MVP..
Neither of the students is/are ready for the quiz.