SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

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Subject verb agreement

Subjects and verbs must AGREE with one another in number (singular or plural). Thus, if a subject is singular, its verb must also be singular; if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural.

Being able to find the right subject and verb will help you correct errors of subject-verb agreement.

Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.

 

Example: The list of items is/are on the desk.
If you know that 
list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.

 

 

Rule 1. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. This is a key rule for understanding subjects. The word of is the culprit in many, perhaps most, subject-verb mistakes.

Hasty writers, speakers, readers, and listeners might miss the all-too-common mistake in the following sentence:

Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and fragrance to the room.

Correct: A bouquet of yellow roses lends . . . (bouquet lends, not roses lend)

 

 

Rule 2. Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb.

Examples:
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.

 

 

Rule 3. The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the Noun or Pronoun closest to it.

Examples:
Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
Neither the serving bowl nor the plates 
go on that shelf.

This rule can lead to bumps in the road. For example, if I is one of two (or more) subjects, it could lead to this odd sentence:

Awkward: Neither she, my friends, nor I am going to the festival.

If possible, it’s best to reword such grammatically correct but awkward sentences.

Better:
Neither she, I, nor my friends are going to the festival.
OR
She, my friends, and I are not going to the festival.

 

 

Rule 4. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.

Example: A car and a bike are my means of transportation.

But note these exceptions:

Exceptions:
Breaking and entering is against the law.
The bed and breakfast 
was charming.

In those sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are compound nouns.

 

 

Rule 5a. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.

Examples:
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Excitement, as well as nervousness, 
is the cause of her shaking.

 

Rule 5b. Parentheses are not part of the subject.

Example: Joe (and his trusty mutt) was always welcome.

If this seems awkward, try rewriting the sentence.

 

Rule 6. In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.

Examples:
There are four hurdles to jump.
There 
is a high hurdle to jump.
Here 
are the keys.

NOTE:

The word there’s, a contraction of there is, leads to bad habits in informal sentences likeThere’s a lot of people here today, because it’s easier to say “there’s” than “there are.” Take care never to use there’s with a plural subject.

 

 

Rule 7. Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of Money, etc., when considered as a unit.

Examples:
Three miles is too far to walk.
Five years 
is the maximum sentence for that offense.
Ten dollars 
is a high price to pay.
BUT
Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) 
were scattered on the floor.

 

 

Rule 8. With words that indicate portions—e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all—Rule 1 given earlier in this section is reversed, and we are guided by the noun after of. If the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.

Examples:
A lot of the 
Pie has disappeared.
A lot of the 
pies have disappeared.
A third of the 
city is unemployed.
A third of the 
people are unemployed.
All of the 
pie is gone.
All of the 
pies are gone.
Some of the 
pie is missing.
Some of the 
pies are missing.

 

NOTE

In recent years, the SAT testing service has considered none to be strictly singular. However, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage: “Clearly none has been both singular and plural since Old English and still is. The notion that it is singular only is a myth of unknown origin that appears to have arisen in the 19th century. If in context it seems like a singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond serious criticism.” When none is clearly intended to mean “not one,” it is followed by a singular verb.

Rule 9. With collective nouns such as groupjuryfamilyaudiencePopulation, the verb might be singular or plural, depending on the writer’s intent.

Examples:
All of my family has arrived OR have arrived.
Most of the 
jury is here OR are here.
A third of the 
population was not in favor OR were not in favor of the bill.

 

 

NOTE

Anyone who uses a plural verb with a collective noun must take care to be accurate—and also consistent. It must not be done carelessly. The following is the sort of flawed sentence one sees and hears a lot these days:

The staff is deciding how they want to vote.
Careful speakers and writers would avoid assigning the singular 
is and the plural they to staffin the same sentence.

Consistent: The staff are deciding how they want to vote.

Rewriting such sentences is recommended whenever possible. The preceding sentence would read even better as:

The staff members are deciding how they want to vote.

 

 

 

Rule 10. The word were replaces was in sentences that express a wish or are contrary to fact:

 

 

Example: If Joe were here, you’d be sorry.

Shouldn’t Joe be followed by was, not were, given that Joe is singular? But Joe isn’t actually here, so we say were, not was. The sentence demonstrates the subjunctive mood, which is used to express things that are hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually contradictory. The subjunctive mood pairs singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs.

 

 

 

 

 

Examples:


I wish it were Friday.
She requested that he 
raise his hand.

In the first example, a wishful statement, not a fact, is being expressed; therefore, were, which we usually think of as a plural verb, is used with the singular subject I.

Normally, he raise would Sound terrible to us. However, in the second example, where a request is being expressed, the subjunctive mood is correct.


Note: The subjunctive mood is losing ground in spoken English but should still be used in formal speech and writing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Level-I


 Subject and Verb Agreement Exercise

Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.

1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.

2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.

3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.

4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.

5. George and Tamara (doesn’t, don’t) want to see that movie.

6. Benito (doesn’t, don’t) know the answer.

7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.

8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.

9. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.

10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.

11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.

12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.

13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I’ve seen.

14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?

15. Mathematics (is, are) John’s favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea’s favorite subject.

16. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.

17. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?

18. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner’s.

19. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!

20. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.

21. The committee (leads, lead) very different lives in private.

22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press cordially.

23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case

 

 

Level-II

 

  1. Sally (run, runs) to the park every day.
  2. The dogs (bark, barks,) at strangers.
  3. Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies.
  4. The game (was, were) exciting.
  5. They (worry, worries) too much.
  6. She (study, studies) every night.
  7. Black or white (is, are) your choice.
  8. That (was, were) incredible.
  9. Those (is, are) pretty shoes.
  10. The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.
  11. Carlos is the only one of those students who (has, have) lived up to the potential described in the yearbook.
  12. The International Club, as well as the Choral Society and the Rowing Club, (need, needs) to submit a new constitution.
  13. One of my best friends (is, are) an extra on Seinfeld this week.


 

 

Level-I


Answers :

1. Annie and her brothers are at school.

2. Either my mother or my father is coming to the meeting.

3. The dog or the cats are outside.

4. Either my shoes or your coat is always on the floor.

5. George and Tamara don’t want to see that movie.

6. Benito doesn’t know the answer.

7. One of my sisters is going on a trip to France.

8. The man with all the birds lives on my street.

9. The movie, including all the previews, takes about two hours to watch.

10. The players, as well as the captain, want to win.

11. Either answer is acceptable.

12. Every one of those books is fiction.

13. Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.

14. Is the news on at five or six?

15. Mathematics is John’s favorite subject, while Civics is Andrea’s favorite subject.

16. Eight dollars is the price of a movie these days.

17. Are the tweezers in this drawer?

18. Your pants are at the cleaner’s.

19. There were fifteen candies in that bag. Now there is only one left!

20. The committee debates these questions carefully.

21. The committee lead very different lives in private.

22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, greets the press cordially.

23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, are in this case.

 

 

 

Level -II


Answers:

  1. runs
  2. bark
  3. are
  4. was
  5. worry
  6. studies
  7. is
  8. was
  9. are
  10. is
  11. has
  12. needs
  13. is

,

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar. It refers to the principle that the verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in number. In other words, a singular subject must have a singular verb, and a plural subject must have a plural verb.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, subject-verb agreement is a straightforward concept. Here are a few tips to help you master it:

Following these tips will help you master subject-verb agreement. With a little practice, you’ll be able to avoid common errors and write clear, concise sentences.

  1. What is the subject of a sentence?
    The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It is usually a noun or pronoun.

  2. What is the verb of a sentence?
    The verb of a sentence is the action or state of being that the subject is doing or experiencing. It is usually a word that shows action, such as “run” or “jump,” or a word that shows a state of being, such as “be” or “is.”

  3. What is subject-verb agreement?
    Subject-verb agreement is the rule that states that the subject and verb of a sentence must agree in number. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

  4. What are some common mistakes people make with subject-verb agreement?
    Some common mistakes people make with subject-verb agreement include:

  5. Using a plural verb with a singular subject. For example, “The dog are barking.”

  6. Using a singular verb with a plural subject. For example, “The children is playing.”
  7. Using a singular verb with a compound subject that is joined by “and.” For example, “The boy and girl is playing.”
  8. Using a plural verb with a compound subject that is joined by “or” or “nor.” For example, “The boy or girl are playing.”

  9. How can I avoid making mistakes with subject-verb agreement?
    There are a few things you can do to avoid making mistakes with subject-verb agreement:

  10. Make sure you know the difference between singular and plural nouns.

  11. Make sure you know the difference between singular and plural verbs.
  12. Pay attention to the subject of the sentence before you choose a verb.
  13. If you are unsure whether a subject and verb agree, you can always consult a grammar guide or dictionary.

  14. What are some common exceptions to the rule of subject-verb agreement?
    There are a few common exceptions to the rule of subject-verb agreement. These include:

  15. When the subject is a collective noun, such as “team” or “family,” the verb can be either singular or plural. For example, “The team is playing” or “The team are playing.”

  16. When the subject is a noun that ends in “-s” or “-es,” but is singular, the verb can be either singular or plural. For example, “The news is good” or “The news are good.”
  17. When the subject is a noun that is plural in form, but singular in meaning, the verb must be singular. For example, “Mathematics is a difficult subject.”
  18. When the subject is a noun that is plural in form, but is used with a singular verb, the verb must be singular. For example, “The statistics show that crime is on the rise.”

  19. What are some other things I should know about subject-verb agreement?
    Here are a few other things you should know about subject-verb agreement:

  20. When the subject is a pronoun, the verb must agree with the pronoun in number. For example, “I am going” or “We are going.”

  21. When the subject is a clause, the verb must agree with the subject of the clause. For example, “The fact that he is late is not important.”
  22. When the subject is a phrase, the verb must agree with the head of the phrase. For example, “A group of students are here.”
  23. When the subject is a compound subject, the verb must agree with the subject that is closest to the verb. For example, “The boy and girl are playing” or “The girl and boy are playing.”
  24. When the subject is a subject with an inversion, the verb must agree with the subject that is implied. For example, “Here come the students” or “There goes the bus.”

  25. What are some Resources I can use to learn more about subject-verb agreement?
    There are a number of resources you can use to learn more about subject-verb agreement. These include:

  26. Grammar books

  27. Dictionaries
  28. Online resources
  29. Tutors
  30. Teachers
  1. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The data are conclusive.
    (B) The data is conclusive.

  2. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The number of people who have seen the movie is impressive.
    (B) The number of people who have seen the movie are impressive.

  3. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The committee has made its decision.
    (B) The committee has made their decision.

  4. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The children are playing in the park.
    (B) The child is playing in the park.

  5. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The police are looking for the suspect.
    (B) The police is looking for the suspect.

  6. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The jury has reached a verdict.
    (B) The jury has reached verdicts.

  7. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The majority of the students have finished their exams.
    (B) The majority of the students has finished their exams.

  8. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The number of students who have finished their exams is impressive.
    (B) The number of students who have finished their exams are impressive.

  9. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The team has won the championship.
    (B) The team has won championships.

  10. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The deer is grazing in the field.
    (B) The deer are grazing in the field.

  11. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The series of books is very popular.
    (B) The series of books are very popular.

  12. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The news is that the war is over.
    (B) The news are that the war is over.

  13. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) Politics is a dirty business.
    (B) Politics are a dirty business.

  14. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) Mathematics is a difficult subject.
    (B) Mathematics are a difficult subject.

  15. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) Measles is a contagious disease.
    (B) Measles are a contagious disease.

  16. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) Physics is a fascinating subject.
    (B) Physics are a fascinating subject.

  17. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) Economics is a complex subject.
    (B) Economics are a complex subject.

  18. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) Statistics is a valuable tool.
    (B) Statistics are a valuable tool.

  19. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) English is a difficult language to learn.
    (B) English are a difficult language to learn.

  20. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The United States is a great country.
    (B) The United States are a great country.

  21. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The United Nations is an important organization.
    (B) The United Nations are an important organization.

  22. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The American people are a diverse group.
    (B) The American people is a diverse group.

  23. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The Chinese government is a powerful force.
    (B) The Chinese government are a powerful force.

  24. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The Japanese economy is a major player in the global economy.
    (B) The Japanese economy are a major player in the global economy.

  25. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The Russian people are a proud people.
    (B) The Russian people is a proud people.

  26. Choose the sentence that has correct subject-verb agreement.
    (A) The Indian subcontinent is a land of contrasts.
    (B) The Indian

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