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1. Subjects and verbs must agree

in number.
• Singular subject = singular verb
20 Rules of Subject Verb
• Plural subject = plural verb
Agreement • Cow= singular, eats= singular
• Ducks= plural, quack= plural
• *Hint*= SVS- singular verbs have an S
• Singular yes?- the verb has an “S”!
• Singular no? The “S” has to go!
Can’t we all just get
along?

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2. Don’t get confused by the

words that come between the
3. Prepositional phrases between
subject and verb.
the subject and verb usually do
not affect the agreement.
The detective who was called to the case
is usually very good.
The biker in this race is very competitive.

The bikers in this race are very competitive.

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4. If a sentence starts with “there” 5. Subjects can come after the

or “ here”, the subject will always verb in questions.
be placed after the verb. • Does Betty always play with dolls?

There is a meeting today.

• How are the Bosco sticks today?

Here are the results from this past month.

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6. If two subjects are joined by
“and”, they typically require a
plural verb.
• The puppy and the lady are friends.
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8. If both subjects are singular and
connected by or, nor, neither/nor,
either/or and not only/but also, the
verb is singular.
• Sally or Bubba has stolen the
scarecrow.
• Not only the guitar player but also the
drummer was soaked with sweat.
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10. If one subject is singular and one
plural and are connected by the words or,
nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but
also, use the subject that is nearest the
verb.
• Either my sisters or my mom has sent
me a present.
• Not only Bob but also the Smiths want
some hamburgers for supper.
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7. If two subjects are separated
by “and” refer to the same thing,
the verb is singular.
• Spaghetti and meatballs is my favorite
pasta dish.
9. If both subjects are plural and
connected by the words or, nor,
neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but
also, the verb is plural.
• Cookies or brownies are nice treats for
your teacher.
11. Units of measurement usually
use a singular verb.
• Six gallons of paint was used on the
house.
• Five dollars is too much for a cup of
coffee.
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13. Titles of books, movies,

12. Collective nouns usually
novels, etc. are treated as
take a singular verb.
singular.
• The herd is stampeding.
• Holes was one of my favorite books.I
want to see the movie.

The class was ready for the test.

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15. Gerunds alone take a

14. Two infinitives separated
singular verb. Gerunds linked
by and take a plural verb.
by and take a plural verb.
• To run and to read are my two favorite
“Free-time” activities. • Dancing is not something everyone can
do as well as I can!

• Dancing and singing come naturally to

me!

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16. If the words each, every or no

17. Most indefinite pronouns take
come before the subject, the verb
singular verbs.
is singular.
one body thing
• Each boy and girl has to take the test.
someone somebody something
anyone anybody anything
• Every frog and toad turns into a prince.
No one nobody nothing

• No paper and pen is required. everyone everybody everything

(But an apple would be nice!:) Little One * Everybody is happy.
Another Neither * No one has a dime.
Much Either * Nothing was going to help.
Each

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19. When the subject is all, any, more,

18. Both, few, many, others, most, none, or some, this is the ONLY
and several take a plural verb. time you must look at the object of the
• Several need to finish the race. prepositional phrase to determine whether
it is singular or plural.
• All of the chickens have laid eggs.

• Some of the milk has spilled.

• A few have the right answer.

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20. Final rule- Remember, only the

SUBJECT affects the verb! 1) The unique blend of herbs and spices (brings / bring) out the flavor of
the food.
2) Under the file cabinets ( lies / lie ) the missing document.
3) The mayor of Minneapolis, along with those of other major cities, (has /
have) asked the President for assistance.
4) One of our managers (is / are) preparing the budget.
5) The company, in addition to the employees, (is / are) hoping there will
be no strike next week.
7) The students, including Matt, (hopes / hope) there will be a party soon.
8) The company (is / are) planning (its / their) annual Christmas party.
9) No one (wants/ want) (his or her / their) GPA to go down.
10) The students, as well as the instructor, (keeps / keep) very busy.
11) The administrators, who wrote the books, (sticks /stick) to the rules.
12) The Pirates of the Caribbean (is / are) released next week.
13) A driver’s license or two credit cards (is /are) required.
14) A number of the excuses (seems /seem) unacceptable.

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1) Mathematics (was / were) never my favorite school subject. 1) The unique blend of herbs and spices ( / bring) out the flavor of
2) Each of the plants (has / have) been sold. the food.
3) Some of the rocks (is / are) slippery. 2) Under the file cabinets ( / lie) the missing document.
4) Neither of the teachers (is / are) interested in excuses. 3) The mayor of Minneapolis, along with those of other major cities, (
5) Dr. Barker knew that Frank was the only one of his sons who (was / / have) asked the President for assistance.
were) responsible enough to handle the family business. 4) One of our managers ( / are) preparing the budget.
6) The statistics (indicates /indicate) that crime is decreasing in the city. 5) The company, in addition to the employees, ( / are) hoping there will
7) Each tree, shrub, and vine (need / needs) to be trimmed. be no strike next week.
8) Jill’s natural ability and her desire to help others (has / have) led to a 7) The students, including Matt, (hopes / ) there will be a party soon.
career in the ministry. 8) The company ( / are) planning ( / their) annual Christmas party.
9) There (is / are) surprisingly few children in our neighborhood. 9) No one ( / want) ( / their) GPA to go down.
10) High levels of air pollution (causes / cause) damage to the respiratory 10) The students, as well as the instructor, (keeps / ) very busy.
system. 11) The administrators, who wrote the books, (sticks / ) to the rules.
11) Neither the students nor their teacher (wants / want) to postpone the 12) The Pirates of the Caribbean ( / are) released next week.
exam. 13) A driver’s license or two credit cards (is / ) required.
12) Everyone (is / are) hoping that (he or she / they) may leave school early 14) A number of the excuses (seems / ) unacceptable.
on Friday.

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1) Mathematics ( / were) never my favorite school subject.

2) Each of the plants ( / have) been sold.
3) Some of the rocks (is / ) slippery.
4) Neither of the teachers ( / are) interested in excuses.
5) Dr. Barker knew that Frank was the only one of his sons who ( /
were) responsible enough to handle the family business.
6) The statistics (indicates / ) that crime is decreasing in the city.
7) Each tree, shrub, and vine (need / ) to be trimmed.
8) Jill’s natural ability and her desire to help others (has / ) led to a
career in the ministry.
9) There (is / ) surprisingly few children in our neighborhood.
10) High levels of air pollution (causes / ) damage to the respiratory
system.
11) Neither the students nor their teacher ( / want) to postpone the
exam.
12) Everyone ( / are) hoping that ( / they) may leave school
early on Friday.

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