St. Cecilia’s College- Cebu, Inc.

A LASSO Supervised School

Poblacion, Minglanilla, Cebu
SY 2020-2021
First Semester

Instructional Study Module

(ISM) # 3

Course/Subject: ENGLISH PLUS 101- Grammar and Effective Writing

1ST Semester AY: 2021 - 2022

__________________________ 1ST YEAR - ____________ Due: October 6, 2021
Student Name Year Level and Section

I. Rationale

In order to communicate better using English as a medium, one must be able to use
correct grammar in both spoken and written forms of communication. It is important
that one is aware with the proper use of the different parts of speech in a sentence, be
able to identify the subject and predicate within a sentence, and even use correct
punctuation marks. This module in particular covers the rules of correct grammar
usage-- subject-verb agreement.

II. Learning Objectives

Through the study of this module and discussions, you will be able to:
A. identify the different rules in subject-verb agreement;
B. use effectively each rule in various forms for effective communication; and
C. develop confidence in spoken and written communication.

III. Learning Resources

A. References/Resources

Betts, J. (n.d.). Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement Simply Explained.

Https://Grammar.Yourdictionary.Com. Retrieved July 29, 2021, from
 https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/sentences/20-rules-of-subject-
verb- agreement.html

B. Instructional Materials
1. Computer
2. Internet
3. PowerPoint Presentation
4. Module

IV. Learning Experience

A. Terms to Study

 Conjunction - connects words/clauses to other words/clauses

 Gerund - verbal that ends in -ing and acts as a noun
 Noun - refers to names of people, animals, places, things, ideas
 Predicate - part of the sentence containing a verb; talking about the
subject
 Preposition - shows relationship of one word to another
 Pronoun - stands in for nouns
 Subject - represents what or whom the sentence is about; person
performing action
 Verb - expresses an action or occurrence

B. Presentation and Discussion

Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement
simply means that the subject and the
verb within a sentence must agree with
each other in number in order for a
sentence to make sense. Take for
example the singular subject she, you
would use the singular is in the
sentence, “She is gorgeous.” If you
use a plural subject they, you would
use the plural are as in “They are
silent.” Do you think it will make
sense to say “They is silent.” or “She
are gorgeous.”? No, right?
 Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
1. Number Agreement - the subject and verb must agree in number. If the subject is
singular, the verb must be singular. Only the subject affects the verb.
 Mary giggles a lot.
 The birds sing in harmony.

2. Words Between Subject and Verb - subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases
that come between the subject and verb do not affect their agreement.
 The colors of the rainbow are beautiful.
 The guy, who wears pink jeans, is really cute.

3. There and Here - when sentences start with either of these words, the subject follows
the verb.
 Here are the documents you requested.
 There is an error with the machine.

4. Subject After Verb in Questions - make sure to accurately identify the subject before
deciding on the proper verb form to use. Subjects don’t always come before verbs in
questions.
 Where is the love?
 Who are the participants of the pageant?

5. Two Subjects or Nouns - when two nouns, though not synonymous, express the
same idea, they are followed by a singular verb.
 Humba and lechon is my son’s favorite food.
 Chicken and waffles is a delicious combination.

6. Each, Every, No - if these words come before the subject, the verb is singular
 No eating or drinking is allowed inside the theatre.
 Every man and woman is required to register first.

7. Subjects Connected with Conjunction - If the subjects are both singular and are
connected by the words "or," "nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," or "not only/but also,"
the verb is singular. If the subjects are both plural and are connected by the words "or,"
"nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," or "not only/but also," the verb is plural.
 Either George or Jodi is to blame for the accident.
 Not only young children but also adults are welcome at the shelter.
 If one subject is singular and the other is plural and the words are connected by "or,"
"nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," or "not only/but also," use the verb form of the
subject that is nearest the verb.
 Either the elephants or the tiger has escaped from the rescue center.
 Neither the tiger nor the elephants have escaped from the rescue center.

8. Units of Measurement & Titles - the singular verb form is usually reserved for units
of measurement or time; also for titles of books, movies, novels, and other similar
works
 Five liters of gas was required to get the vehicle running.
 20 minutes is enough to get here.
 The God of Small Things is written by Arundhati Roy.
 500 Days of Summer is a personal favorite movie.

9. Object of the Preposition - The only time the object of the preposition decides plural
or singular verb forms is when noun and pronoun subjects like "some," "half," "none,"
"more," or "all" are followed by a prepositional phrase. Then the object of the
preposition determines the form of the verb.
 All of the escabeche is gone.
 All of the escabeches are gone.

10. Pronouns - Indefinite Pronouns typically take singular verbs. The exceptions to the
rule include pronouns “few”, “many”, “several”, and “both” because these always take
the plural form.
 Everybody wants to be understood.
 Few were left after the tsunami.
 Third person Singular requires the ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ form of the verb.
 He swims.
 She looks at him with endearing eyes.

11. Gerunds - when used as the subject of the sentence, they take the singular form of
the verb. However, when they are linked by “and”, they take the plural form.
 Screaming on top of a mountain was a good idea.
 Reading books and solving puzzles are his favorite past time activities.

12. Collective Nouns - such as "team" or

"staff," can be either singular or plural
depending upon the rest of the sentence.
Typically, they take the singular form, as
the collective noun is treated as a cohesive
single unit.
 The assembly is conducting a
meeting.
 A pack of hounds is growling.

C. Feedback
What part of the discussion were not very clear to
you?
What part of the discussion confuses you?
V. Activities/Assessments

POST-TEST

Part I. Read the sentences to decide whether the verbs should be singular or plural.
Underline the correct answer.
1. One of my wallets (is, are) missing.
2. Each student (is, are) required to bring his ID.
3. 15 minutes (is, are) not enough to answer this test.
4. The boss, as well as his colleagues, (has, have) been included in the seminar.
5. Neither his father nor his mother (play, plays) scrabble.
6. Bread and butter (is, are) our daily food.
7. The athlete who won the two medals (was, were) my classmate before.
8. The famous singer and composer (has, have) arrived.
9. The company (invest, invests) in stocks.
10. Here (is, are) the coffee you ordered.
11. 28 Weeks (is, are) such a scary movie.
12. Arranging his bed (is, are) the first thing he does every morning.
13. Every wife (want, wants) a good husband by her side.
14. The whole family (was,were) consulted before a decision could be reached.
15. Everybody (is, are) responsible for (his, their) homework assignment.
16. Mary (doesn’t, don’t) know how to play the violin.
17. Twenty plus nine (is ,are) twenty-nine.
18. Cleaning (make, makes) Alex’s mind clearer.
19. Some of the students (stay, stays) in the school.
20. The kids, together with their mom, (arrive, arrives) at school early in the morning.

Part II. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of verbs in the parenthesis.

1. Amy as well as her brother _____ (have) attended the university exam.
2. Each of my uncles ______ (want) to buy a big house in the subdivision.
3. Not only my uncles but also my Aunt Susan ____ (be) arriving today.
4. Physics ____ (be) the most difficult subject at school.
5. A great amount of money ____ (be) needed for the new conference hall.
6. Somebody ____ (have) telephoned and asked for you.
7. Of all the carpenters in the community, Michael ____ (do) the best work.
8. 101 Dalmations ____ (be) my favorite animated movie.
9. The doctor and the patient’s parents both _______ (expect) a good result.
10. The singer and songwriter ________ (record) her albums by herself.

VI. Assignment
Choose ONE TOPIC from below and make an essay about it
containing at least 10 EXAMPLES of the Subject- Verb Agreement rules.
Underline the sentence and indicate what number of the rule in Subject-
Verb Agreement.

 My Favorite Movie/Show/Book
 My Most Unforgettable Birthday Experience
 My Favorite Travel Experience

VII. Wrap-Up

- What have you learned in this module?

- What is the muddiest part of the lesson?
- What is the clearest portion of the lesson?
- What are the rules in Subject-Verb Agreement?