Name:___________________________________________ Yr. & Sec.

:_______________________

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT RULES

Read each rule carefully then complete each statement by boxing the correct form of the verb.

RULE # 1: A singular subject takes on a singular verb (s-form-eats) while a plural subject must take on
a plural verb (base form -eat)

S = S (s-form, eats) / P = P (base form, eat)

1. Education (is/are) a form of learning where knowledge and skills are transferred.
2. Camara Laye (has/have) just graduated from high school.
3. His parents (is/are) glad to see him.
4. Parents (love/loves) their children very much.

RULE # 2: A compound subject joined by and usually requires a plural verb Except: when the items of a
compound subject joined by and refer to the same person or thing. (ex. Bacon & eggs is my favorite
breakfast.)

5. The young man’s mom and dad (has/have) sent him to Conakry to study.
6. His friend and mentor (has/have) given him a scholarship.
7. His friend and his mentor (has/have) given him a scholarship.

RULE # 3: A compound subject joined by or, nor, either…or, neither…nor its verb agrees with the
nearest subject.

8. Either his mother or father (has/have) to give the consent.

9. His parents or his teacher (is/are) coming with him to France.
10. His teacher or his parents (is/are) coming to France.

RULE # 4: Intervening expressions like as well as, in addition to, no less than, with, together with,
besides, along with, in company with, accompanied by, including and others do not affect the number
of the subject.

11. His proficiency certificate along with his scholarship grant (has/have) paved the way for his
success.
12. His diplomas including his medals (prove/proves) how scholarly he is.

RULE # 5: Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning such as economics, mathematics, measles,
civics, mumps, physics, news, etc. require a singular verb.

13. Mathematics (has/have) been viewed as a difficult subject, but all it takes is simple logic to
follow the formulas and a listening ear to memorize the equations to score high.
14. News about his scholarship (has/have) reached his parents.
RULE # 6: Some nouns like pants, trousers, jeans, scissors, pliers, etc. are always plural.

15. “(Is that /Are those) glasses new?” he asked.

16. “(This/These) scissors (is/are) sharp, (isn’t it/aren’t they)?” he added.
17. How much (is that/are those) jeans?

RULE # 7: When a collective noun such as audience, army, class, committee, family, flock, jury, etc.
denotes a collection regarded as a unit, it requires a singular verb. Except: When it refers to particular
persons or things thinking or doing different things in the collection, it requires a plural verb.

18. The team (is/are) glad you joined.

19. The jury (is/are) undecided on the verdict. (some yes, some no)
20. The team (is/are) looking at different things in the shop.

RULE # 8: Indefinite pronouns, and adjectives such as each, every, another, any, one, either, neither,
anyone, each one, everyone, someone, no one, anybody, somebody, something, etc. are singular and
require a singular verb.

Always singular indefinite pronouns

 Each
 every
 Every/no/some (body/one/thing)
 None
 Either
Always plural indefinite pronouns
 Both
 Few
 Several
 Many
Either singular or plural indefinite pronouns (refer to the noun in the of phrase intervening
expression)
 All (of ____)
 Some (of ___)
 Much (of ___)

21. Each member (HAVE, HAS) a say in the project.

22. Both members (HAVE, HAS) a say in the project.
23. All of the members (HAVE, HAS) a say in the project. (refer to the noun in the of phrase)
24. All of the soup (HAVE, HAS) been spoiled.

RULE # 9: Nouns denoting quantity and amount such as number, half, part, portion, and plenty may
take a singular or plural verb according to their meaning.
 25. The number of different analog circuits so far devised (ARE, IS) huge. (when pertaining to a
particular number ex 28, singular)
26. A number of different analog circuits so far devised (ARE, IS) becoming a huge hit in the
industry. (meaning several)

RULE # 10: When a relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that, etc.) is used as a subject of the verb,
the verb must agree in person and number with the antecedent of the pronoun (nearest the relative
pronoun, go back one step) .

27. He is one of those architects who (TALK, TALKS) much and (THINK, THINKS) little.
28. An educator is a person who (PROVIDES, PROVIDE) schooling for pupils and students.
29. Teaching is one of those professions that (FACILITATE`, FACILITATES) education

Rule # 11: Here and There are never the subjects. The subject comes after the verb.

30. There (IS, ARE) four topics that need to be discussed.

31. Here (IS, ARE) a list of the things you need to do.

RULE # 12: Fractions may take a singular or plural verb depending on the object of the of-phrase.

32. 94.9 percent of the Filipinos (IS, ARE) literate in the country.

 RULE # 13: Quantities and sums are multiples of numbers when expressing a single idea may take a
singular verb

33. Twelve inches (IS, ARE) equivalent to one foot.

34. Five and three (MAKE, MAKES) eight.
35. Three times one (ARE, IS) three.
36. Five kilometers (IS, ARE) too far to walk.

(Will, shall, should, would, can, could, may, might, must, do, does, did, etc. + BASE FORM)

37. What books will he (USE, USES)?

38. Do they (TEACH, TEACHES) entrepreneurship? (PRESENT, PLURAL)
39. Does she (TEACH, TEACHES) entrepreneurship? (PRESENT, SINGULAR)
40. Did you (TEACH, TEACHES) entrepreneurship? (PAST)
 DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH
C C
1. “QP,” IP.
C
IP X, “QP.”
X X
C
2. IP, “QP.”
(that)
C
3. “QP,” IP, “Q,P.” C=capitalized