Subject-Verb Agreement Review
When there is one subject and more
Like socks, the subject and predicate of a
sentence have to match and agree. The subject
(a noun or a pronoun) tells us the focus of the
sentence while the verb makes a statement
about it. With correct subject-verb agreement,
the relationship between these two important
sentence parts is unified thus making the
idea of the sentence easier to understand.
Essential to mastering the rules governing
subject-verb agreement are the following
Verb Basics.
The Three Main Types of Verbs:
1. Action Verb/s
Tells what action something or someone is
performing.
2. Linking Verb/s
Connects a noun or a pronoun with a word that
identifies and describes it.
3. Helping Verb/s
Added before another verb to make it a verb
phrase.
Helping Verbs
to be – am, is, are, was, were
to do – do, does, did
to have – has, have, had
Sensory Words Verbs - look, feel, taste etc.
Know the Rules!
1. If the subject is singular, the verb
must be singular.
Example: She writes every day.
2. If the subject is plural, the verb must
be plural.
Example: They write every day.
3. 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.
4.
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 in-depth
understanding of participants.
5. Intervening words like together with,
in addition to, along with, as well as,
including and similar constructions
following the subject do not affect the
number of the subject.
Examples: The student, as well as
the committee members, is
excited.
Strategies that the teacher uses
to encourage classroom participation
include using small groups and clarifying
expectations.
6. When two or more singular nouns
or pronouns are connected by "or"
or
"nor," use a singular verb.
Example: The chairperson or the CEO approves
the proposal before proceeding.
7. When a compound subject contains
both a singular and a plural noun or
pronoun joined by "or" or "nor,"
the
verb should agree with the part of the
subject that is closest to the verb. This is
also called the rule of proximity.
Examples: The student or the
committee members write every day.
The committee members or the
student writes every day.
8. The words and phrases "each,"
"each one," "either," "neither,"
"everyone," "everybody," "anyone,"
"anybody,"
"nobody," "somebody," "someone," and
"no one" are singular and require a
singular verb.
Examples: Each of the participants
was willing to be recorded.
Neither alternative
hypotheses was accepted.
I will offer a 5000php gift
card to everybody who participates in
the study.
 No one was available to meet 13. In the present tense, verbs agree with
with me at the preferred time. their subjects in NUMBER
(singular/plural) and in PERSON (first,
9. Non-count nouns take a singular second, or third). The present tense
verb. Examples: Education is the key to ending –s (or –es) is used on a verb if
success. the subject is THIRD PERSON SINGULAR.
Diabetes affects many people Otherwise, the verb takes NO ENDING.
around the world.
The information obtained from the
business owners was relevant to include in the Singular Plural
study. First I Love We Love
Person
The research I found on the topic was Second You Love You Love
limited. Person
Third He/She/It Loves They Love
Person
10. Some countable nouns in English such
as earnings, goods, odds,
surroundings, proceeds, contents, and 14. A few indefinite pronouns such as All,
valuables only have a plural form and Any, None and Some may be singular
take a plural verb. or plural DEPENDING on the noun or
Examples: The earnings for this pronoun they refer to.
quarter exceed expectations. Examples: Some of the apples were sold.
The proceeds from the sale Some of the flour was spilled.
go to support the homeless
population in the city. 15. Titles of works, story, article or
Locally produced goods have establishment, even when plural
the advantage of shorter supply chains. in form, takes a singular subject
Example: BSP Enterprises is owned by Mr.
11. In sentences beginning with "there Santos.
is" or "there are," the subject follows
the verb. Since "there" is not the 16. Adjectives used as subjects take
subject, the verb agrees with what plural verbs.
follows the verb. Example: The brave are honored.
Examples: There is little
administrative support. 17. Fractions may take singular or
There are many factors plural verbs depending on the of-
affecting teacher retention. phrase.
Examples: Two-thirds of the school’s
12. A collective noun acting as a single population speaks Pangalatok.
unit takes a singular verb. However, Two-thirds of the children are in
the grade school.
plural verb is used when the focus is
on the individuals in the group. 18. Words or phrases expressing periods of
Examples: The group meets every week. time, weight, measurement and
The committee participate amounts of money are usually
in various volunteer activities in regarded as singular.
private lives. Examples: Five years is a long
engagement period.
Five thousand pesos is the prize
money.
 19. The expression the number takes a
singular verb; the expression a number
takes a plural verb.
Examples: The number of applicants is big.
A number of applicants are very
young.

20. Nouns plural in form but singular

in meaning.
Examples: Statistics (am, is, are)
showing an increase in inflation.