Subject verb agreement

The meaning of subject The simple subject consists of the specific noun or pronoun that is doing the action or whose state of being is being described. The complete subject includes the simple subject along with all words that modify it.

Example : The most diligent student in my class never sleeps much Example : The most diligent student in my class never sleeps much. (The simple subject of the sentence is student because the student performs the action. The complete subject of the sentence includes the simple subject and all words that modify it: The most diligent student in my class.)

The meaning of verb   A verb is a word that describes the action or state of being of its subject.   Example : The most diligent student in my class never sleeps much. (The verb, sleeps, describes the action of the sentence.) Consequently, she is always tired. (The verb, is, describes the state of being of the subject, she.)

The definition of subject/verb agreement The subject and verb of a sentence should always agree with each other. If the subject is in singular, so the verb must be in singular. In other hand, if the subject is in plural, so the verb must be in plural. For example:   The students, with 20 classes left in the semester, intend to attend all the plural subject plural verb remaining classes. The student, with 20 classes left in the semester, intends to attend all the singular subject singular verb remaining classes.  

Subject and Verb Agreement Rules 1 Subject and Verb Agreement Rules 1. If the subject is singular (refers to one person or thing), the verb will have an -s ending. Examples: The boy walks home. He throws the ball. The cat plays. 2. If the subject is plural (refers to more than one person or thing), the verb will not end in s. Examples: The girls write long essays. The computers work well.

3. The pronouns each, either, neither, one, everyone, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, everybody, and much are singular and will require a verb with an -s ending. Examples: Everyone in the class is going on the trip. Neither teacher plans to cover the entire textbook. 4. The pronouns several, few, both, many, and others are plural and require a verb without an -s ending. Examples: Several of my friends work in the library. Many on the honor roll study long hours.

5. The pronouns some, any, none, all, and most may be either singular or plural. Examples: Some of the cake was eaten. All of the contestants were present. 6. When a sentence has two or more subjects joined by and, a verb without an s is needed. Examples: Students and teachers park in front of the auditorium. Pizza, cake and ice cream have always been his favorite foods.

7. When a sentence has two or more subjects joined by or or nor, choose a verb that agrees with the subject closest to it. Examples: Fudge or cookies are a good choice for dessert. Neither Tammy nor her sister likes to travel. 8. When every or many a comes before a subject, the verb should have an -s ending. Examples: Every man, woman and child remembers that cold winter. Many a woman chooses motherhood over a career. 9. There and here are never subjects when they appear at the beginning of a sentence. The subject will come later in the sentence. Make certain to identify the correct word as the subject before choosing a verb. Examples: There is the jacket I lost. Here are the library books you needed.  

Subject + (prepositional phrase) + verb     Subject and verb as in “Main Verb” Subject separated from the verb Subject and verb must be match, but subject and verb sometimes are separated by some words which are prepositional phrase. But, The prepositional phrase does not influence the verb.     Example: The study of language is very interesting. The danger of forest fires is not to be taken lightly. The effects of that crime are likely to be devastating. Subject + (prepositional phrase) + verb

These words which also do not influence to the verb, such as: together with, as well as, along with, accompanied by.   Example : - The mayor as well as his brothers is going to prison. - The actress, along with her manager and some friends, is going to party tonight. - Mr. Robin, accompanied by his wife and children is arriving tonight. Note : If the conjunction AND is used in a sentence, so the verb must be in plural. Example: the actress and her manager are going to the party tonight.  

Word that always take singular verbs and pronoun Some words which put the verb and singular pronoun. Examples: Everybody who has not purchased a ticket should be in this line. Something was under the house. Anybody who has lost his ticket should report to the desk. Everyone has done his or her homework. Somebody has left her purse. Anybody nobody somebody everybody Anyone no one someone everyone Anything nothing something everything

Each is often followed by a prepositional phrase ending in a plural word (Each of the cars), thus confusing the verb choice. Each, too, is always singular and requires a singular verb. Example: Each of the students is responsible for doing his or her work in the library.

None + of the + non-count noun + singular verb 1. None/no On the other hand, there is one indefinite pronoun, none, that can be either singular or plural; it often doesn't matter whether you use a singular or a plural verb — unless something else in the sentence determines its number. Example: none of the counterfeit money has been found. None + of the + non-count noun + singular verb

Example: None of the students have finished the exam yet. None + of the + plural count noun + plural verb

No + plural noun + plural verb Example: No example is relevant to this case. Example: no examples are relevant to this case. No + singular noun + singular verb Noun count noun No + plural noun + plural verb

2. Either/neither Either/neither is followed by or/nor 2. Either/neither Either/neither is followed by or/nor. So, the verb can be in singular or plural. It depends on the noun after or/nor is in singular or plural. Example: Neither john nor his friends are going to the beach today. Either my sisters or my brothers live in texas. Neither + noun + nor + plural noun + plural verb Either + noun + or + plural noun + plural verb

Example: Either my father or my brothers are going to sell the house Example: Either my father or my brothers are going to sell the house. Neither my brothers nor my father is going to sell the house. Are either my brothers or my father responsible? Is either my father or my brothers responsible?    

3. Gerund as subject If a sentence is started by gerund (verb-ing), so the verb must be in singular. Example: growing flower is her body. Writing many letters makes her happy. Washing with special cream is recommended for scalp infection. but, there are two or more subjects as subject, so the verb must be in plural. Example: writing and reading are interesting subject. Drawing and painting are Tom’s hobbies.

4. Collective nouns Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but that are considered singular nouns. These include group, team, committee, class, and family, organization, government, army, jury, congress, club, minority, public, crowd. These collective nouns take a singular verb.   Example: the family has a big house. The organization has lot many members this year. Our team is going to win the game.

Collective noun is also shown in time, money, distance Collective noun is also shown in time, money, distance. They are in singular. Example: twenty five dollars is too much to pay for that shirt. Fifty minutes is not enough time to finish this test. Two miles is too much to run in one day.   If individual members or parts of a group are considered separate, a plural verb without an s is needed. Examples: The dance team buy their own costumes. The Honor Society compete in the math competition.    

5. A number of/the number of           Example: a number of students are going to the class picnic. A number of members have schedule to come in a meeting.       Example: the number of days in a week is seven. The number of boys play football in the yard.   A number of + plural noun + plural verb The number of + plural noun + singular verb

6. Noun that are always plural These noun are always in plural, but they usually have singular meaning if there is “a pair of….” Example: the pants are in the drawer. A pair of pants is in the drawer. These scissors are dull. A pair of scissors is dull.         Scissors shorts pliers jeans Trousers glasses pants tweezers

7. There is/there are There is There was + singular subject/noun count. There was has been Example: there is a storm. There was an accident last night. There are There were + plural subject……. There have been Example: there have been a number of telephone calls today. There were too many people at the party last night.