Subject Verb Agreement

Subject verb agreement simply means the subject and verb must agree in number. This
means both need to be singular or both need to be plural.
The list of items is on the desk.
Basketballs roll across the floor.
I don't understand the assignment.
Rules

If two subjects are joined by "and," they typically require a plural verb .
Sugar and flour are needed for the recipe.
Neither my dad nor my brothers know how to ski.
Pepperoni and cheese are great on a pizza.

The verb is singular if the two subjects separated by "and" refer to the same
person or thing as a whole.
Red beans and rice is my mom's favorite dish.

Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a

singular verb.
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.

When using "or" or "nor" in a compound subject containing a singular and plural
subject, the verb agrees with the closest subject.
My mom or dad is coming to the play. (singular)
Neither gray nor white is my favorite color. (singular)
Either Grandpa or my sisters are going to the park. (closest subject is plural)

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As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are
connected by and.
A car and a bike are my means of transportation.
But note these exceptions:
Breaking and entering is against the law.
The bed and breakfast was charming.
In the above sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are compound nouns.

Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as along with,
as well as, besides, not, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the
subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.
There are four hurdles to jump.
Here are the keys.
There is a problem with the balance sheet.
Here are the papers you requested.

Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when
considered as a unit.
Three miles is too far to walk.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
BUT
Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.

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With words that indicate portions - e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all - we are
guided by the noun after of. If the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb. If
it is plural, use a plural verb.

A lot of the pie has disappeared.

A lot of the pies have disappeared.
A third of the city is unemployed.

The word were replaces was in sentences that express a wish or are contrary to
fact:
If Joe were here, you'd be sorry.
I wish it were Friday.

The indefinite pronouns anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody are

always singular and, therefore, require singular verbs.
Everyone has done his or her homework.
Somebody has left her purse.

None - when means - not any - will take a plural verb, as in "None of the engines
are working," but when None - means - not one – then it takes a singular verb,
as in "None of the food is fresh.")
None of you claims responsibility for this incident?
None of you claim responsibility for this incident?
None of the students have done their homework.

If one of the words "each," "every," or "no" comes before the subject, the verb is
singular.
No smoking or drinking is allowed.
Every man and woman is required to check in.

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few, many, several, both, all, some half of, a third of, 40% of, most - always take
plural verb but at times are singular or plural depending on what they're referring
to. (Is the thing referred to countable or not?)
Some of the beads are missing.
Some of the water is gone.
Few were left alive after the flood.
Both of my brothers are older than me.

Anyone, each, everyone, someone, no one, nobody - always require singular

verbs
Everyone has problems.
I don’t know if anybody is in the office right now.

club / team / family / army - These subjects are also singular, even though they
are talking about a group of people.
My family is visiting me for the holidays.
The basketball team has a new coach.

Usually, “police” is plural

The police are investigating the murder.
Police have arrested three suspects.

people / children / men / women / mice / feet - These words are irregular plural
nouns (nouns that are not formed by adding -s) and they take the plural form of
the verb
Our children are very well-behaved.
The people like the new president.
Men don’t usually enjoy shopping for clothes.
My feet are cold.

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Words such as glasses, pants, pliers, and scissors are regarded as plural (and
require plural verbs) unless they're preceded the phrase pair of (in which case
the word pair becomes the subject).
My glasses were on the bed.
My pants were torn.
A pair of plaid trousers is in the closet.

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License. This presentation is released under Creative Commons-A6ribute,on 4.0 License. You are free to use,
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