Subject Verb Agreement

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Identify the subjects and verbs in the following sentences:
1. The boys have left for school.

2. Sugar and flour are needed for the recipe.
3. Basketballs roll across the field.
4. The creator and producer is arriving soon.
5. The cats are meowing at the door.
6. Neither my father nor my brothers know how to ski.
7. My mom or dad is coming to the play.
8. Neither grey nor white is my favourite colour.
9. There is little administrative support.
What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement simply means that the subject and verb in a sentence must
agree in number. They both need to be singular, or they both need to be plural.
1. A singular subject needs a singular verb and a plural subject needs a plural verb.
Examples: My dog waits for the postal carrier.
My dogs wait for the postal carrier.
A good student knows the value of communication skills.
Good students know the value of communication skills.
Note: Nouns which are plural in form but singular in meaning usually take a singular verb.
Example: Measles is an infectious disease.
2. The pronoun ‘you’ (second person subject) always takes a plural verb.
Examples: You were invited to come.
You are asked to clean the room.
You sing so well.
3. If the subject is an uncountable noun, the singular form of the verb is used.
Examples: Honesty is the best policy.
Fear begins to haunt him.
4. When the subject consists of ‘one of + plural noun’ , the verb is singular.
Examples: One of the students was talking.
One of the smart-boards is malfunctioning.
5. 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.
Examples: There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor.
There are many factors affecting teacher retention.
6. Collective nouns like group, crowd, flock, regiment, etc. are generally followed by a
singular verb.
Examples: A group of performers was rushing inside the venue.
7. 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.
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.
8. 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.
An assumption is something that is generally accepted as true and is an important
consideration when conducting a doctoral study.
9. 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, who is one of the committee members, is excited.
The student with all the master’s degrees is very motivated.
10. 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.
11. 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.
The committee members or the student writes every day.
12. 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.
13. 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.
Example: The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.
14. A collective noun such as jury, committee, family, etc. takes a singular verb
when it is considered one unit. But when they are regarded as individuals, they
take a plural verb.
Examples: The jury is about to give its decision.

The jury are divided in their o
15. When some nouns are regarded as one unit, they take a singular verb:
Examples: Bread and butter is a wholesome food.

Brick and stone is lying scattered all over the place.
16. For distances, weight, height or amount of money, we use a singular verb even
when the subject is plural.
Examples: Ten thousand rupees is not a small sum.
Three kilometres is a short distance.
17. Some nouns which appear to be plural in form when preceded by ‘a pair of’ take a
singular verb. However, when these nouns are used without ‘a pair of’, they take a
plural verb.
Examples: A pair of shoes was found at the crime scene.
His shoes were found at the crime scene.
NOTE: Subject-verb agreement means that the sentence is grammatically correct.

Subject-verb agreement is usually more of a problem in present-tense sentences. Verbs
in the past tense don't change as much when the number of the subjects change ("He
walked" is the same verb form as "They walked," for example).
•My dog waits for the postal carrier.
•My dogs wait for the postal carrier.
•I understand the assignment.
•Peter likes vegetables.
Subject-verb agreement examples with plural subjects and verbs include:
•Basketballs roll across the floor.
•These clothes are too small for me.
•The cats meow at the door.

Subject Verb Agreement

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SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Identify the subjects and verbs in the following sentences:

1. The boys have left for school.

Examples: The jury is about to give its decision.

Examples: Bread and butter is a wholesome food.

NOTE: Subject-verb agreement means that the sentence is grammatically correct.

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