CHAPTER 2:

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

In all patterns, there must be agreement of subject and verb. Avoid using a verb that agrees
with the modifier of a subject.

1. USING EXPRESSION OF QUANTITY (BE AS VERB)

SINGULAR VERB PLURAL VERB

(a) Some of the book is (c) Some of the books are The verb is determined by
good. good. the noun (or pronoun) that
(b) A lot of the (d) A lot of my friends are follows of in most
equipment is new. here. expressions of quantity.
Notice in (a) and (c)
Some of + singular noun
+ singular verb
Some of + plural noun +
plural verb
(e) One of my friends EXCEPTION:
is here one of, each of, every
(f) Each of my friends one of take singular
is here verbs.
(g) Every one of my
friends is here one of, each of, every one
of + plural noun +
singular verb
(h) None of the boys is (i) None of the boys Subjects with none of are
here are here. (informal) considered singular in
very formal English, but
plural verbs are often used
in informal speech and
writing.
((9 COMPARE:
(j) The number of (k) A number of In (j) the number is the
students in the class is students were late for subject. In (k) a number
fifteen. class of is an expression of
quantity, meaning “a lot
of.” It is followed by a
plural noun and a plural
verb.
2. USING MAIN VERB

SINGULAR VERB PLURAL VERB

(a) The student always (d) The students If a main verb is used:
borrows the book. always borrow the Singular noun + main
(b) The book has a book. verb+ s/es
good story. (e) The books have Plural noun + main verb
(c) The child usually good story. (without s/es)
sleeps at 9 am. (f) The children
usually sleep at 9 am.

3. SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT: SOME IRREGULARIES

SINGULAR VERB
(a) The news is interesting. Sometimes a noun that ends in –s is singular.
(b) Mathematics is easy for her. Notice the examples: If the noun is changed to
Physics is easy for her, too. a pronoun, the singular pronoun it is used (not
(c) Ghosts is the best film I have the plural pronoun they).
ever watched.
(d) The United Nations has its Note: Fields of study, as in (b), that end is
headquarters in New York City. -ics take singular verbs.
(e) Eight hours of sleep is Expression of time, money, and distance
enough. usually take a singular verb.
(f) Ten dollars is too much too
pay.
(g) Five thousand miles is too far
to travel.

PLURAL VERB
(h) Those people are from Canada People and police do not end in –s but are
(i) The police have been called. plural nouns and take plural verbs

SINGULAR VERB PLURAL VERB

(j) English is (l) The English drink In (j): English – language
spoken in many tea. In (l): the English – people
countries. (m) The Chinese have from England
(k) Chinese is his an interesting history Some nouns of nationality that
native language end in –sh, -ese, and –ch can
mean either language or
people.
E.g. English, Spanish,
Chinese, Japanese,
Vietnamese, Portuguese,
French
(n) The poor have A few adjectives can be
 many problems. preceded by the and used as a
(o) The rich get plural noun (without final –s)
richer. to refer to people who have
this quality.
Other examples:
the young, the old, the living,
the dead, the blind, the deaf,
the handicapped.