Date: 07/10/21

Subject Verb Agreement

 English
Subject Verb Agreement
 If the subject is singular, the verb must
be singular too
Example: She writes every day.
EXCEPTION: WHEN USING THE SINGULAR
"THEY," USE PLURAL VERB FORMS.
Example: The participant expressed satisfaction with
their job. They are currently in a managerial role at
the organization.
 If the subject is plural, the verb must
be plural too
Example: They write every day.
Sometimes, however, it seems a bit more complicated
than this.
 When the subject of the sentence is
composed of TWO or MORE nouns or
pronouns connected by and, use a plural
verb.
Example: The doctoral student and the committee
members write every day.
Example: The percentage of employees who
called in sick and the number of employees who
left their jobs within 2 years are reflective of the
level of job satisfaction.
 When there is one subject and more than one
verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must
agree with the subject.
Example: Interviews are one way to collect data and allow
researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of participants.
Example: An assumption is something that is generally
accepted as true and is an important consideration when
conducting a doctoral study.
 When a phrase comes between the subject and
the verb, remember that the verb still agrees
with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the
phrase following the subject of the sentence.
Example: The student, as well as the committee members, is
excited.
Example: The student with all the master’s degrees is very
motivated.
Example: Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage
classroom participation include using small groups and
clarifying expectations.
Example: The focus of the interviews was nine purposively
selected participants.
The phrase “more than one” takes a singular verb.
Example: MORE THAN ONE box is sitting in the hallway.
Example: MORE THAN ONE car was involved in the race.
 Subject Verb Agr.
A subject made up of nouns joined by takes a plural subject, unless that subject’s
intended sense is singular.
Examples:

 She and I run every day.

 Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich. (Intended sense of singular)

When a subject is made up of nouns joined by or, the verb agrees with the last
noun.
 She or I run every day.
 Potatoes, pasta, or rice goes well with grilled chicken. (Last noun: rice)

Collective nouns (team, couple, staff, etc.) take a singular verb.

 The football TEAM is practicing night and day for the Super Bowl.
 Boston’s school COMMITTEE disagrees about what to cut from the school budget.

 Connectives, phrases such as combined with, coupled with, accompanied by,

added to, along with, together with, and as well as, do not change the number
of the subject. These phrases are usually set off with commas.
 Oil, AS WELL AS gas, is a popular heating choice.
 Peanut butter COMBINED WITH bread and jelly is a tasty snack. (Here, the peanut butter,
bread, and jelly are one unit, a sandwich, so no commas are needed and we keep the singular
verb.)

“None” takes a singular verb if what it refers to is singular and a plural verb if its
referent is plural.
 NONE of the book is reproducible without permission.
 NONE of the peas are left on Sean’s plate. (“peas” is the referent and is plural)

With money, if the amount is specific, use a singular verb; if the amount is
vague, use a plural verb.
 Within a year, $5 MILLION was spent on building a new factory, and millions more were spent on
training future factory workers. (“$5 million” is a specific amount. Therefore, the verb is
singular.)
 FUNDS are allocated each year to help medical research. (“Funds” is a vague term rather than a
specific amount. Therefore, the verb is plural.)