ACTIVITY #___

Subject-Verb Agreement or SVA (Part 2: Rules 7-10)

NAME:____________________________ DATE:_________

RULE 7: “Neither…nor, neither…or” require a singular verb, if both subjects are singular. It not, the verb
follows the subject closer to it.

Example: Either James or the ladies are ready for the presentation.
Neither the guest speaker nor the coordinator was present.

RULE 8: Indefinite pronouns like “anybody, everybody, anyone, no one, each, nobody,
somebody, everyone, not one, someone, every,” etc., always require a singular verb.

Example: Everyone loves going to the beach.

Each of the packages has been disconnected.

RULE 9: “Few, both, several, many” always require a plural verb.

Example: A few of them think we should go as planned.

Many of them go to the movies on weekends and holidays.
Both have the right to complain.

RULE 10: “A number of” requires a plural verb; “the number of” requires a singular verb.

Example: A number of customers have already complained.

The number of agents receives a free vacation package to Hong Kong.

Exercise: Supply the correct form of the verb based on the given word in the parenthesis.

1. Neither the passengers nor the flight steward (be) _____________ aware of yesterday’s
problem.
2. Despite his annoying habit, no one in the department (have) ___________ called his
attention.
3. The number of applicants (expect) ____________ to get the 50% discount from last week’s
promo.
4. Several issues (have) ____________ been raised at the meeting.
5. Not one of these choices (be) __________ promising.
6. For the past weeks now, neither my customers nor my team leader (have) ________
complained.
7. I am pretty sure! Both (be) __________ getting Vacation Package B.
8. A number of flights (have) _______________ been canceled.
9. Each of the participants (get) _____________ a package tour to Rhode Island.
10. Either the consultant or the clients (be) ____________ making it difficult for the
company.