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SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

1. A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
Examples:
Allan teaches geometry.
The organizer of the trip is not liable in case of accident.
The students are going on a field trip.
All paths lead to a single destination
2. A phrase or a clause that comes between the subject and its verb does not affect subject- verb
agreement.
Examples:
The leader of the kidnappers was killed in the encounter.
The guards whom the organizer hired to maintain peace and order were responsible for that accident.
3. When both parts of a compound subject by or or nor are singular, a singular verb is required.
Examples:
Marianne or her representative is coming for the ribbon cutting.
My mother or my father is pinning my academic medal.
4. When both parts of a compound subject joined by or or nor are plural, a plural verb is required.
Examples:
Old toys or used clothes are accepted as donations.
The athletes or their fans were responsible for the stampede.
5. When the compound subject joined by or or nor is made up of singular and plural nouns or pronouns
the verb agrees with the subject nearer or nearest the verb.
Examples:
Val or his friends are fetching me from the airport.
The athletes, the sports officials or the head coach manages the funds of the team.
6. A compound subject joined by and is generally plural and requires a plural verb.
Examples:
The principal and the teachers are having a meeting.
Father and Mother are going on a world tour.
7. If the parts of the compound subject joined by and are thought of as one item or unit, the singular for
m of the verb is used.
Examples:
Track and field is my favorite athletic event.
Ham and cheese is my usual breakfast.
8. If the word every or each comes before a compound subject, the singular form of the verb is used.
Examples:
Every man, woman, and child was given the vaccine.
Each boy and girl needs to wear a costume.

9. If the parts of the compound subject refer to the same person, place, thing or event, the singular form
of the verb is used.
Examples:
The owner and manager of the construction firm is her husband.
The presentation and coronation of the muses is the highlight of the celebration.
10. If the compound subject is made up of an affirmative and a negative past, the verb arees with the
affirmative subject.
Examples:
The cats and not the dog are sleeping on the rug.
Not the soldiers but their commanding officer is at fault.
11. When a collective noun is regarded as a single unit, acting as one, the singular form of the verb is used
Examples:
The panel was unanimous in its decision.
The jury has decided on the case.
12. When a collective noun is regarded as a collection of separate units, acting separately, the plural form
of the verb is used.
Examples:
The committee are deliberating on the matter.
The jury have been weighting the pros and cons of the issue.
13. This and that are singular; these and those are plural.
Examples:
This is what I really want.
This movie depicts a lot of values
That is my objective why I am here.
That belief is adhered to by many.
These look appetizing.
These books are good for both children and for adults.
Those are made of local materials.
Those houses are scheduled for demolition.
14. The indefinite pronouns each, everyone, someone, nobody, everybody, nobody, somebody require
singular verbs.
Examples:
Everyone is expected to arrive.
Someone is knocking at the door.
15. The indefinite pronouns both, few, many, several, and others require plural verbs.
Examples:
Both of the suspects were captured.
Several of the workers were sent home.

16. The indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, and some may require a plural or a singular verb
depending on the noun they refer to.
Examples:
All of the house was burned.
All of the rooms are occupied.
17. Nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning require singular verbs.
Examples:
Mathematics is a difficult subject.
Mumps is highly contagious.
Other Examples: measles, acoustics, series
18. Some nouns are always plural and should have plural verbs.
Examples:
My tweezers need to be replaced.
Grandfathers eyeglasses are lost.
Other Examples: jeans, pajamas, shorts, briefs, clippers, pincers, socks, archives, alms, eyeglasses, ashes, binoc
ulars, proceeds, riches, pants, trousers, pliers, sheers, tweezers, tongs, forceps, scissors, savings, clothes, goods,
quarters, remains, belongings, and surroundings.
19. Some nouns may be plural or singular depending on the meaning of the sentence.
Examples:
Economics is my major field of study.
The Presidents economics are not working as expected.
Statistics is easier than geometry.
20. Titles of books, films, plys, etc. are considered singular.
Examples:
The Sinners was a box office hit.
Little Women is a touching novel.
21. Intervening words like together with, in addition to, as well as, etc. do not affect the number of the
subject.
Examples:
Emil, together with his brothers, is bound for the States.
The students, as well as their adviser, are joining the parlor games.
22. The expression the number is singular; the expression a number is plural.
Examples:
The number of enrollees has increased.
A number of enrollees have accomplished the registration form.
23. Expression of time, amount of money, weight, distance are considered singular.
Examples:

Fifty pesos is my daily allowance.


Two hours is a long time to wait.
24. Expressions of fraction or percentage may be singular or plural depending on the number of the noun
that goes with the fraction or percentage.
Examples:
One-half of the building was gutted by fire.
One-half of the students have failed Math.
25. When the expressions each of the, one of the, everyone of the are used as subject, the singular form of
the verb is used.
Examples:
Each of the examples is easy to understand.
Everyone of us is concerned about our students welfare.
26. The relative pronoun may be singular or plural depending on the number of its antecedent.
Examples:
The movie which was shown recently was about World War II.
The students who were selected will join the camping.
27. A clause used as subject takes a singular verb.
Examples:
That he is not coming to the party makes me sad.
What should be done is still being planned.
28. The verb agrees with the subject not with the predicate noun.
Examples:
My problem is my pimples.
My pimples are my problems.
29. When the sentence is in inverted order,, look for th subject and make the verb agree with it.
Examples:
Inside the cage flies the bird.
The bird flies inside the cages.
On top of the table are a number of apples.
A number of applesare on the top of the table.
30. Mathematical operations are considered singular.
Examples:
6 x 6 is equal to 36.
6 x 6 equals to 36.

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