Subject & Verb Agreement Rules 2a-2f

Rule 2a A verb should always agree with its subject in number A verb should always agree with its subject in number

Rule 2a Singular subjects take singular verbs Singular subjects take singular verbs Ex. She searches for the necklace. Ex. He wants pizza for dinner.

Rule 2a Plural subjects take plural verbs Plural subjects take plural verbs Ex. They search for the necklace. Ex. They search for the necklace. Ex. We want pizza for dinner Ex. We want pizza for dinner

Remember: Nouns that end in s are plural Nouns that end in s are plural ex. Pens, books, cars Verbs that end in s are singular ex. She runs… ex. He calls

Rule 2B The number of the subject is not changed by a phrase following the subject The number of the subject is not changed by a phrase following the subject Ex. The sign near the glass doors explains the theme of the exhibit Ex. The sign near the glass doors explains the theme of the exhibit

Rule 2C The following indefinite pronouns are singular: The following indefinite pronouns are singular: Anybodyanyoneanything Anybodyanyoneanything Each eithereverybody Each eithereverybody Everyoneeverythingneither Everyoneeverythingneither Nobodyno onenothing Nobodyno onenothing onesomebodysomeone onesomebodysomeone something something

Rule 2C Ex. Each of the poems about farm workers was written by Gary Soto. Ex. Each of the poems about farm workers was written by Gary Soto. Everyone in the group likes chocolate. Everyone in the group likes chocolate.

Rule 2d The following indefinite pronouns are plural: The following indefinite pronouns are plural: bothfewmany bothfewmany several several Ex. Both of the poems were written by Soto. Ex. Both of the poems were written by Soto.

Rule 2e The indefinite pronouns all, any, most, none, and some can be singular or plural depending on the words they refer to The indefinite pronouns all, any, most, none, and some can be singular or plural depending on the words they refer to Ex. Some of the movie is funny. Ex. Some of the movie is funny. Ex. Some of the acts are hilarious. Ex. Some of the acts are hilarious.

Rule 2f A compound subject, which is two or more subjects that have the same verb, may be either singular or plural A compound subject, which is two or more subjects that have the same verb, may be either singular or plural

Rule 2f Subjects joined by and usually take the plural form of the verb Subjects joined by and usually take the plural form of the verb Ex. Both Max and Erin like chocolate milk. Ex. Both Max and Erin like chocolate milk.

Rule 2f A compound subject that names only one person or thing takes a singular verb A compound subject that names only one person or thing takes a singular verb Ex. Macaroni and cheese makes a good side dish. Ex. Macaroni and cheese makes a good side dish. Ex. My pen pal and best friend is my cousin. Ex. My pen pal and best friend is my cousin.

Rule 2f Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb Ex. Either the principal or the coach has to approve it. Ex. Neither Della nor Jim was disappointed.

Rule 2f When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb Ex. Neither the losers nor the winner was happy with the outcome of the match. Ex. Neither the losers nor the winner was happy with the outcome of the match.

Rule 2f Ex. Neither the winner nor the losers were happy with the outcome of the match. Ex. Neither the winner nor the losers were happy with the outcome of the match.

Rule 2h A collective noun takes a singular verb when the noun refers to the group as a unit and takes a plural verb when the noun refers to the individual parts or members of the group A collective noun takes a singular verb when the noun refers to the group as a unit and takes a plural verb when the noun refers to the individual parts or members of the group

Rule 2h-Collective Nouns Armyclub Armyclub Assemblycommittee Assemblycommittee Audiencecouple Audiencecouple Bandcrew Bandcrew Castcrowd Castcrowd Chorusfamily Chorusfamily

Rule 2h Collective Nouns Classflock Classflock Grouppublic Grouppublic Herdsquad Herdsquad Jurystaff Jurystaff Majorityswarm Majorityswarm Numberteam Numberteam Packtroop Packtroop

Rule 2h Collective Nouns Pairwildlife Pairwildlife

Rule 2h Ex. The class has/have elected its officers. Ex. The class has/have elected its officers. What is the subject of this sentence? What do you need to know about the subject to determine which verb you will use?

Rule 2h Class is acting as a unit/singular Answer: The class has elected its officers.

Rule 2h Ex. The jury is/are still arguing among themselves. Ex. The jury is/are still arguing among themselves. What is the subject of this sentence? What is the subject of this sentence? What do you need to know about the subject to determine which verb you will use? What do you need to know about the subject to determine which verb you will use?

Rule 2i A verb agrees with its subject, not with its predicate nominative A verb agrees with its subject, not with its predicate nominative Predicate nominative-follows a linking verb and explains or identifies the subject of the verb Predicate nominative-follows a linking verb and explains or identifies the subject of the verb Ex. The main attraction is the marching bands. Ex. The main attraction is the marching bands.

Rule 2j A verb agrees with its subject, even if the verb comes before the subject as in sentences that begin with here or there A verb agrees with its subject, even if the verb comes before the subject as in sentences that begin with here or there Ex. Here is my drawing of the Cyclops. Ex. Here is my drawing of the Cyclops. Ex. Here are my drawings of the Cyclops. Ex. Here are my drawings of the Cyclops.

Rule 2k An expression of an amount (length of time, a statistic, or a fraction) can be singular or plural depending on what it refers to An expression of an amount (length of time, a statistic, or a fraction) can be singular or plural depending on what it refers to Ex. Twenty dollars is/are stuck together. Ex. Twenty dollars is/are stuck together.

Rule 2k Ex. Three fourths of the barrels have/has been loaded. Ex. Three fourths of the barrels have/has been loaded. Ex. Twenty dollars is/are the amount Della receives for her hair. Ex. Twenty dollars is/are the amount Della receives for her hair.

Rule 2l The title of a creative work (book, song, film, or painting) or the name of an organization, a country, or a city (even if its plural in form) takes a singular verb The title of a creative work (book, song, film, or painting) or the name of an organization, a country, or a city (even if its plural in form) takes a singular verb

Rule 2l Ex. “Marigolds” is a story by Eugenia W. Collier. Ex. “Marigolds” is a story by Eugenia W. Collier. Ex. The Netherlands has thousands of canals. Ex. The Netherlands has thousands of canals.

Rule 2m A few nouns, although plural in form, take singular verbs A few nouns, although plural in form, take singular verbs Ex. The news of the nominee for the Supreme Court was a surprise to many observers. Ex. The news of the nominee for the Supreme Court was a surprise to many observers.

Rule 2m Some nouns that end in –s take a plural verb even though they refer to a single item Some nouns that end in –s take a plural verb even though they refer to a single item Ex. The scissors need to be sharpened. Ex. The scissors need to be sharpened. Ex. Were these pants on sale? Ex. Were these pants on sale? Ex. The pliers are next to the wrench. Ex. The pliers are next to the wrench.