SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

RULES
1. The subject and verb must agree in
number.
NOTE: This is the basic rule!
Examples:
He goes to work by bus.

They visit us every other

week.
 2. These are not part of the subject:

The word “with” and the phrases like “as well

as”, “together with” and “along with”.
2. These are not part of the subject:

Examples:
 The police officer, along with his troops,
is unexpected shortly.
The children, together with their teacher,
are playing.
3. Two subjects joined by “and” are
plural.
Examples:
 Mary and Joan are quite different.
 Rizza and Mae love teaching.

EXCEPTION: Subjects that looks like plural but is

singular.
 Bacon and eggs is my favorite breakfast.

 Procter and Gamble donates goods for charity.

4. With collective nouns, the verb might be singular or plural, it
depends upon the meaning.

Examples:
 The audience was clearly enchanted by her

performance.

 The audience are strangely subdued, clapping

politely at each song.
5. Take the verb that agrees with the subject
closest to it.

NOTE: Two subjects joined by “or/not” ,

“either...or/neither...nor” and “not only...but
also”.
5. Take the verb that agrees with the subject
closest to it.
Example:
 Either teaching or advising is what teachers do.

 Neither my mother nor my father goes to

university.
6. The true subject follows the verb.
NOTE: In sentences beginning with “here” or
“there”.
Example:
 There is a bush near the school playground.

 Here are some examples of Subject-Verb

Agreement.
7. A) Singular verb if the subject is a singular
indefinite pronoun.

Such as each, either, no one, everyone, nobody,

everybody and etc.
Examples:
 Everybody is busy making requirements to be
passed.
 Nobody gets to the top without passing the bottom.
B) Plural verb if the subject is plural
indefinite pronoun.
Such as several, few, both and many.
Example:
 Several villages have been isolated by the heavy
snowfall.

 Many apples were eaten to avoid the scoldings of

mother.
C) Some indefinite pronouns may be either
singular or plural
Depending upon their use in a sentence.
Examples:
 Some of the books are out of place. Please put
them in the right corner. (Books are countable.)

 Some of the music was weird. (Music is

uncountable.)
8. Use a singular verb for expressions of
measurement.
By means of time, money and weight when the
amount is considered one unit.
Examples:
 Fifty dollars seems a reasonable price.

But: Five dollars were scattered on the ground.

9. Plural form subjects with a singular
meaning take a singular verb.
Such as mumps, measles, calisthenics, statistics,
civics, gymnastics and etc.
Examples:
 Gymnastics is her favorite sport.

 Mumps, as well as measles, is contagious.

10. Titles of single entities are always
singular.
Such as books, organizations, countries, clubs and
etc.
Examples:
 Harry Potter is an interesting novel.

 Cleveland Cavaliers goes to Philippines on summer.

LIT 1: CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENT
LITERATURE
Rizza Mae R. Guerra, MaEd - Instructor

PREPARED BY: NHOVA BALDERAMOS-JOSE BSED2 C2