SUBJECT – VERB

AGREEMENT RULES
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Subject- Verb Agreement

A verb changes
whenever its subject
changes in number
and person.
Here are the rules:
1. A verb must agree
with its subject in
person and in number.

A singular subject
takes singular verb.
✓Singular subject-
one person or object.
✓Plural subject-
two or more persons or objects

✓ Singular verb-
-s or –es form
✓Plural verb- base or
simple form
✓Linking Verbs / Helping verbs
Singular Plural
is are
was were
am
has have
does do
Examples:
• Marie asks many
questions about life.
• Marie and Ana ask many
questions about life.
• The students ask many
questions about life.
2. Pronouns you and
I always require
the plural form of
the verb even in
cases where they
refer to only one.
Examples:
• Jane, you need to
listen attentively.
• Students, you need to
listen attentively.
•I need to finish my
work today.
3. Singular pronouns take
singular verbs; plural
pronouns take plural verbs.
Examples:
• She is a diligent worker.
• They are diligent workers.
• He wants to be rich.
• We want to be rich.
4. Indefinite pronouns are
singular. They always take
the singular form of the
verb.
each anybody
nobody someone
everyone
either
Examples:
• Everyone is required to
attend the workshop.
• Somebody knocks on the
door.
• No one was absent
during the examination.
5. Subjects joined by and
usually takes plural verbs.
Those joined by and and
mean a single idea take a
singular verb.
Examples:
• John’s book and videotape
were missing.
• Grilled ham and cheese is
what I often have for
breakfast.
• My sister and my best friend
are very supportive.
6. Compound subjects joined
by either-or and neither-
nor take verbs that agree
with the nearer subject.
Examples:
• Either the teacher or the
students prepare for the
mass action.
7. When a compound subject
includes one affirmative
and one negative part,
make the verb agree with
the affirmative part.
Examples:
• You, not she, are allowed to
leave.
8. The expression a number
requires plural verb, while
the number requires
singular verb.
Examples:
• The number of people in the
court represents the vigilant
citizenry.
• A number of media men now
are now here.
9. Some, half, all, none, part may
take either a singular or plural
verb depending on how they
were used in the context.

Plural-if they mean a

number
Singular- if they refer to
an amount
Examples:
• Some of the apple pie
was eaten.
• Some of the apple pies
were eaten.
• All is finished.
• All were present in the
ceremony.
10. If the subject and the
verb are interrupted by
an intervening phrase,
such as including, along
with, with, together with,
etc. ,the verb must still
agree with the simple
subject.
Examples:

• Mary, together with her

children, prays the rosary.
• I, as well as my friends, am
willing to help.
11. In inverted sentences,
make the verb agree with
the real subject, which
usually follows the verb.
Examples:
• There was only one person
who disagreed with the
president.
Examples:
• Here comes Rex.
• Here come Rex and Tim.
• There goes the culprit.
• There go the culprits.
12. Nouns plural in form but
singular in number require
singular verbs.
news gymnastics
mathematics
economics measles
physics athletics
species
Examples:
• Our politics needs sensible and
compassionate leaders.
• Mathematics is easy if you are
diligent.
• Last night’s news was
shocking.
13. A collective noun takes a
singular verb if it is
regarded as a unit.
However, it takes a plural
verb if it refers to the
individuals in the group.
team committee
jury army
Examples:
• The school makes its stand
regarding the controversial
issue.
• The committee debate on the
matter.
14. Units such as amounts,
size, time, quantities or
distances, when used as
a subject of the
sentence require the
singular form of the verb.
Examples:

• Five million pesos is the

pot money for today’s
game.
• The first three months
was crucial.
15. For titles of movies, songs,
books, etc., use the singular
form of the verb.
Examples:

• “The Three Musketeers” was written

by Alexander Dumas.
• “Charlie’s Angels” is her
favorite movie.
16. Fractions require verbs
depending on the headword
in the of- phrase. If the
headword is singular, the
verb required is singular. If
the headword is plural, a
plural verb is required.
Examples:
• Four-fifths of the mangoes
have been sold.
• Two-fourths of the pizza was
already consumed.
• One-half of the
watermelons are rotten.
17. Nouns plural both
in form and meaning
such as tongs,
scissors, trousers,
pliers, shears, pants,
require plural verbs.
Examples:
• The scissors I borrowed
from you are very sharp.
• The pliers need
lubrication.
• The pants are expensive.
18. Pronouns many,
several, a few, some,
and both take plural
verbs.
Examples:
• Many are called but few
are chosen.
19. Adjectives used as
nominals require plural
verbs.
Examples:
• The poor are to be
helped.
• The brave make good
20. The pronoun it
is always
followed by a
singular verb.
Examples:
• It is you they want
to see.
Activity
ThankYou!