SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Subject-verb agreement refers to the special way in which a subject and verb work together to
make a sentence correct. Basically, the two must agree in number. For example, if the subject is
singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Without correct subject-verb agreement, a reader or listener can become easily confused;
therefore, one must apply three basic rules when speaking and writing. Here are what one needs to
know.

Rule 1: Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases

Intervening Phrases are group of words that are found between the subject and the verb.
They give more information about the subject, but still the verb agrees with the subject.

Examples:
His collection of basketball trade cards is valuable.
subject intervening phrase verb

The children, together with their teacher, are ready for the online classes.
subject intervening phrase verb

Intervening phrases introduced by as well as, along with, in addition to, together with and many
others, that come between the subject and verb do not change the number of the subject.

Rule No. 2: Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns

Collective Nouns are words that refer to a group of persons, animals or things. When the
collective noun describes a group of person, animals or things seen as a whole, it requires a
singular verb. When the collective noun describes the members of the group acting
individually, the plural verb is used.

Examples: an assembly of people, committee, a herd of antelope, a flock of birds, team of players,
class , a school of fish, a pack of wolves, family, choir of angels, a gang of elk ,a troop of monkeys, a
murder of crows, a bed of oysters, a pride of lions, a mob of kangaroo, a covey of pheasants, a shiver
of sharks, a rhumba of snakes, a host of angels, a brood of chickens, an army of ants, a tower of
giraffes, a set of stamps, a fleet of ships, a bunch of keys, a deck of cards, etc.

Examples:
An average family is usually made up of 3-4 members.
subject verb
The family are doing their assigned chores.
subject verb

Rule No.3: Subject-Verb Agreement with Inverted Sentences

A sentence is in the natural order when the subject comes first before the verb while an
inverted sentence is usually used in questions as well as sentences that begin with here is/are or
there is/are for emphasis. When choosing the right verb to use in an inverted sentence, you must
be sure of the subject. Remember that a subject is the one being talked about or the doer of an
action. After knowing the subject, make sure that the verb agrees with it. A singular subject takes a
singular verb while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Subject Verb
Examples: Natural order: Injun Joe hides in the cave.

Verb Subject
Inverted order: In the cave, hides Injun Joe.
You may also read the following pages from your English book – PILLARS 5:

USING NATURAL AND INVERTED SENTENCE ORDERS – p. 132

IDENTIFYING INTERVENING WORDS – p. 145-146