What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Basic Rule: Singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural
verbs.
Example:
1. John walks to the store.
2. Jack and John walk to the store.
Rule #1
The subject and verb separated by
several words should not affect the
agreement.
Rule #2
Collective nouns usually take the
singular verb form.
Rule #3
If two subjects are joined by and,
they typicall require a plural verb
form.
Rule #4
Singular indefinite pronouns always
takes singular verbs.
Rule #5
Indefinite pronouns depend on the
context.
Rule #6
With compound subjects joined by
nor/or, the verb agrees with the
subject nearest to it.
Rule #7
There and here are never subjects.
In sentences that begin with these
words, the subject is usually found
later on in the sentence.
Rule #8
Some nouns, while plural in form, are
actually singular in meaning.
Rule #9
A verb that has a relative pronoun
as its subject agrees with the
antecedent of that pronoun.
Example:
1. One of the eggs is broken.
2. The room with flowers is absolutely beautiful.
(Subject and Verb are both singular.)
Collective nouns: herd, class, group, team, flock
Example:
1. The group of students is walking to the store.
2. The class is quiet.
Example:
1. The cow and pig are jumping over the moon.
2. Apple and mango are my favorite fruits.
Singular indefinite pronouns: anyone, everyobe, no one, someone,
everybody, somebody, nobody, everything, something, nothing,
each, every, no, several, few, both, many.
Example:
1. Everyone wants to be loved.
2. Each of the animals is unique.
3. No smoking or drinking is allowed.
Indefinite pronouns: all, some, none, either neither
Example:
1. All the cake has been eaten.
2. All the pieces have been eaten.
Example:
1. Neither the cats nor dog is here.
2. Neither the cat nor dogs are here.
Example:
1. There were five books on the shelf. (were, agrees with the subject
book)
2. Here is the report you wanted. (Is agrees with subject report)
(Nouns that are plural in form, but actually singular in meaning)
Mumps, home, economics, social studies, economics, measles,
calisthenics, statistics, civics, physics, news, acrobatics, thesis,
mathematics.
Example:
1. Mathematics is (not are) an easy subject for some people.
Relative pronouns: who, whom, which, whoever, whomever,
whichever, and that.
Example:
1. Henry is one person who works hard.
2. Dina is one of the girls who usually arrive early.