ABU DHABI INDIAN SCHOOL - BRANCH 1, AL WATHBA

Grade 6
GRAMMAR: SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT- NOTES

Learning Objective: Learners will be able to edit sentences for correct subject/verb agreement and use
complete sentences.

Competence: Critical Thinking

Values: Care

Subject Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject and predicate of the sentence.
Subjects and verbs must always agree in two ways: tense and number.
Subject Verb Agreement Rules:
1. Singular and Plural Subject
A singular subject (she/ Lisa/car) takes a singular verb (is/goes/shines) whereas a plural subject takes a
plural verb.
Example:
The light in the lamppost flickers each night.
In this sentence, the subject light is singular; therefore, the verb that describes the action of the subject
must also be singular: flickers.
If the subject was plural, the verbs would have to change form to agree with the subject.
Example:
The lights in the lampposts flicker each night.
In this sentence, since the subject is now plural, the -s must be removed from the verb in order to have
subject-verb agreement. (The nouns placed prior to the words or and nor have no effect on the verbs.)

2. Subjects joined by “or, either/or, neither/nor”

Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, neither/nor require a singular verb.
For Example
a. My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
b. Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
c. Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.
The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.
For Example:
a. Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
In this sentence, serving bowl (singular) is the closest noun and hence the verb goes take plural form.
b. Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.
In this sentence, plates (plural) are the closest noun and hence the verb go takes singular form.

3. Sentences with Collective nouns

Singular Verb: When all the members of a collective noun are performing an action as a unit (and that’s
usually the case), use a singular verb.
Examples:
a. The cast is celebrating the success of the play with a party after the performance.
b. A wolf pack hunts as a group.
c. The fleet was anchored in the channel.
Plural Verb: When the members of a collective noun are performing an action as individuals, use a plural
verb. In this case, all or some members of the group are doing something independently of the other
members; the group is not acting together as a unit.
Examples:
a. The orchestra are tuning their instruments.
b. The cast have been practicing their lines.
c. The staff disagree with the proposal.

4. Units of Measure:
The singular verb form is usually reserved for units of measurement or time.
Examples:
a. Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.
b. Ten minutes is enough time to get there.

5. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs. The exceptions to the rule include the pronouns "few,"
"many," "several," and "both." These always take the plural form.
Examples:
a. Everybody wants to be loved.
b. Few were left alive after the flood.
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