Subject-Verb Agreement - Grammar - Academic Guides at Walden University
Subject-Verb Agreement - Grammar - Academic Guides at Walden University
Subject-Verb Agreement - Grammar - Academic Guides at Walden University
Subjects and verbs must agree in number. In addition to the explanations on this page, also see the post on Subject—Verb
Agreement (https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/formandstyle/multilingualwritingtip/blog/february-2020-subject-verb-
agreement).
3. When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb.
Example: The doctoral student and the committee members write every day.
Example: The percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of employees who left their jobs
within 2 years are reflective of the level of job satisfaction.
4. When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the subject.
Example: Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of
participants.
Example: An assumption is something that is generally accepted as true and is an important consideration when
conducting a doctoral study.
5. When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the verb still agrees with the subject, not the
noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of the sentence.
Example: The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.
Example: The student with all the master’s degrees is very motivated.
Example: Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage classroom participation include using small groups and
clarifying expectations.
Example: The focus of the interviews was nine purposively selected participants.
6. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by "or" or "nor," use a singular verb.
Example: The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.
7. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should
agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity.
Example: The student or the committee members write every day.
8. The words and phrases "each," "each one," "either," "neither," "everyone," "everybody," "anyone," "anybody," "nobody,"
"somebody," "someone," and "no one" are singular and require a singular verb.
Example: Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.
Example: Neither alternative hypothesis was accepted.
Example: The information obtained from the business owners was relevant to include in the study.
10. Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables only
have a plural form and take a plural verb.
Example: The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.
Example: The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless population in the city.
11. In sentences beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the verb. Since "there" is not the subject, the
verb agrees with what follows the verb.
Example: There is little administrative support.
12. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular and take a singular verb. Some
examples are "group," "team," "committee," "family," and "class."
Example: The group meets every week.
However, the plural verb is used if the focus is on the individuals in the group. This is much less common.
Example: The committee participate in various volunteer activities in their private lives.
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Related Resources
Knowledge Check
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