SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT

Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

1. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular too.

Example: She writes every day. Vincent speaks for the benefit of the whole class.
The engineer builds buildings in preparation for the inauguration of his new firm.
Mary does her homework today.
2. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Example: They write every day.
The actresses deliver the lines with grace and elegance.
The people are shouting for help.
They are currently in a managerial role at the organization.
3. “If two subjects are joined by “and,” they typically require a plural verb form.

 Danica and Daniela are sisters.

 The vendors and the suppliers agree to sign a business contract before the transaction
begins.
 A pencil and an eraser (makes, make) writing easier.
4. *If the compound subjects are both singular and are connected by the words “or,”
“nor,” “neither/nor,” “either/or” and “not only/but also” the verb is SINGULAR.

 The storm or the strong wind is the reason for the suspension of classes.
 The assigned doctor or the nurse-on-duty (was, were) attending to the patient at the
emergency room.
 Neither Bob nor George (is, are) leaving.
*If the compound subjects are both plural and are connected by the words “or,” “nor,”
“neither/nor,” “either/or” and “not only/but also” the verb is PLURAL.
Neither the students nor the parents attend the meeting.

 Either the boys or the girls (has, have) to perform first.

5. A compound subject containing both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined
by OR or NOR, the verb should agree with the nearest subject.

 The men or the woman is taking charge of the program.

 Neither the lion nor the bears have escaped from the zoo.
 Either Jane or her brothers (was, were) present during the war.
 Neither his friends nor Bob (is, are leaving)
 Neither the actor nor the directors (is, are) following the lines closely.

6. *Do not be misled by a phrase or clause that comes between the subject and the verb.
The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.

 One of the cats is pampered by its owners.

 A can of lima beans sits on the shelf.
*The only time when the object of the preposition factors into the decision of plural or
singular verb forms is when noun and pronoun subjects like “some,” “half,” “none,”
“more,” “most,” or “all” are followed by a prepositional phrase.
• All of the chicken is gone.
 • All of the chickens are gone.
• Most of the news is good.
• Most of the flowers were yellow.
• Some of the sugar (is, are) on the floor.
• Some of the marbles (is, are) on the floor.
7. * SINGULAR indefinite pronoun subjects take singular verbs. (each, either, neither,
one, no one, nobody, nothing, anyone, anybody, anything, someone, somebody,
something, everyone, everybody, everything )    
• Everyone in this institution expects a salary increase.
• Neither of the girls is coming with us.
• Each (does,do) a good deal of work around the office.
*PLURAL indefinite pronoun subjects take plural verbs.( all, both, several, few,
many)
Both do a good deal of work around the office.
Many are called but few are chosen.
Both Bob and George (is, are) leaving.
8. * Nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning such as civics, mathematics,
measles, mumps, politics, physics, economics, statistics, and news require singular
verbs.
• Mumps is a contagious disease.
• Mathematics (is, are) an easy subject for some people.
• Physics (is, are) taught by Prof, Baldwin.
* Plural form subjects with a plural meaning take a plural verb. (scissors, trousers,
shoes, pants, tongs)
• The shoes are put beside the flower pot.
• The pair of shoes is beside the flower pot.
9. Time, distance and money require singular form of the verb.
• Four hours is not enough for me to stroll in the mall.
• Ten days is not nearly enough time.
• Five dollars (is, are) too much to ask.
10. When sentences start with “there” or “here,” the subject will always be placed after
the verb, so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.
• Here are the papers you requested.
• There is a problem with the balance.
• Here (is, are) the report you wanted.
• There (were, was) five books on the shelf.
• There (is, are) little administrative support.
• There (is, are) many factors affecting teacher retention.
11. A collective noun takes a singular verb if the idea expressed by the subject is thought
of as a unit; it takes a plural verb when the idea refers to separate individuals.
The following are common examples:
army, group, crowd, jury, audience, flock, team, committee, class, troop,

• The staff is in a meeting. (Staff is acting as a unit here.)

• The staff are in disagreement about the results. (The staff are acting as
separate individuals in this example.)
• The group (meet, meets) every week.
• The committee (agree, agrees) on the quality writing.
• The jury (has, have) awarded custody to the grandmother.
• The jury members (has, have) been arguing for five days.

12. Sometimes modifiers will get between a subject and its verb, but these modifiers
must not confuse the agreement between the subject and its verb. (dependent clause)
• The mayor, who has been working hard to alleviate poverty in his town, deserves
an award.
• The women who went to the meeting were bored.
• The girl who sings at the stage (is, are) my sister.
• The politician, along with the newsmen, (is, are) expected shortly.

11. The pronoun “I” and “You” always takes a plural verb.

 You were invited to come.

 You are asked to clean the room.
 You (sing, sings) so well.
12. * The expression “the number of” is followed by a singular verb.
Example:

 The number of volunteers grows each year.

 The number of people we need to hire (is, are) thirteen.
 The number of latecomers (increase, increases) every quarter.

*The expression “a number of” is followed by a plural verb.

 A number of students have passed.

 A number of people (prefer, prefers) their mother tongue over a second language.
 A number of suggestions (was, were) taken by the speaker wholeheartedly.
ACTIVITY
1. Margo and her parents (visit, visits) each other often.
2. Interesting news (is, are) what sells our paper.
3. Vern and Fred (need, needs) a ride to work.
4. The United States (is, are) a country of contrast.
5. All of the workers (is, are) receiving their bonus.
6. Either the workers or the boss (deliver, delivers) the merchandise.
7. They (doesn’t, don’t) think they’ll win the game tonight.
8. Gymnastics (is, are) easy for Angela.
9. Either the cups or the glasses (are, is) in the dishwater.
10. Everybody (was, were) asked to be quiet.
11. A magazine and a book (was, were) lying on the floor.
12. One of my friends (believe, believes) in E.S.P.
13. Some of the job applicants (is, are) expected to pass the difficult screening test.
14. Measles (is, are) a disease in most children.
15. Neither he nor she (is, are) strong enough to lift the ball.
16. Mathematics (has, have) always been my favorite subject.
17. The papers, plates, napkins, and coleslaw (was, were) brought to the picnic by the Sungs.
18. Politics (involve, involves ) exercise of authority.
19. Everybody from the class (expect, expects ) him to change.
20. He (don’t, doesn’t ) speak very well.