SUBJECT-VERB

AGREEMENT
 01.
WHAT’S IN
 Identify the verb that will agree with the
following indefinite pronouns.
1. Everybody (enjoys, enjoy) a good movie.
2. Does anybody (has, have) the time?
3. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.
4. The secret (was, were) known by few.
5. No, the secrets (was, were) known by many.
6. Everyone in the club (want, wants) to have a party next week.
7. None of the marbles (belong, belongs) to Geraldine.
8. Some of the ice from the polar caps (melt, melts) each summer.
9. Most of the listeners (understand, understands) the speaker’s
purpose.
10.Few of our neighbors (like, likes) our boa constrictor.
 Singular Indefinite Pronouns
one body thing
anyone anybody anything
everyone everybody everything
Someone somebody something
no one nobody nothing
*each, every, much
singular form of the verb
Plural Indefinite Pronouns
Both
Several
Few
Many
Others

plural form of the verb

(without s or es-base form)
 Singular/Plural Indefinite Pronouns
Most
All
None
Any
Some
Depend on context-singular subject takes
singular verb while plural subject takes
plural verb
 02.
WHAT’S NEW
 Subjects and verbs must agree in number. Both must be
singular, or both must be plural

Pancakes with
syrup SOUND Everyone also
Let’s make Everyone “likes” subjects
breakfast! Pancakes yummy. like
“Pancakes” is and verbs that
with syrup sounds pancakes! agree
the subject not
yummy!
“syrup”
 Either
Each of us get No, each GETS
juice or
three pancakes. three pancakes. Neither you nor I
coffee
“Each” is like coffee, so we’ll
goes with
singular. have juice.
pancakes

Pancakes,
I agree. Eggs while a filling Well, the English
Cereal or eggs or cereal breakfast are language can be
are tasty too. would be messy! sticky too.
delicious
 QUESTIONS:
01. 02.
What were the
What did they
two characters in
decide to have for
the comic strip
breakfast?
discuss?
03. 04.
What did you learn
Why is important about the subject and
for everybody to verb agreement in the
have breakfast? comic strip?
03. WHAT IS IT
Rules:
1. A subject will come before a
phrase beginning with of. This is
a key rule for
understanding subjects. The word
of is the culprit.
examples:

Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow roses

lend color and fragrance to the room.

Correct: A bouquet of yellow roses

lends . . .
(bouquet lends, not roses lend)
2. Two singular
subjects connected by
or, either/or, or
neither/nor require a
singular verb.
 examples:
1. My aunt or my uncle is
arriving by train today.
2. Neither Juan nor Carmen
is available.
3. Either Kiana or Casey is
helping today with
stage decorations.
3. The verb in an or, either/or,
or neither/nor sentence agrees
with the
noun or pronoun closest to it.
Neither the Neither the
plates nor the serving bowl
serving bowl nor the plates
goes on that go on that
shelf. shelf.
4. As a general rule, use a plural
verb with two or more subjects
when they are connected by and.
Example: A car and a bike are my
means of transportation.

Breaking and
The bed and breakfast
entering are against
were charming.
the law.
5. Sometimes the subject is separated
from the verb by such words as along
with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These
words and phrases are not part of the
subject. Ignore them and use a singular
verb when the subject is singular.
Examples:
The politician, along with the newsmen,
is expected shortly.

Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the

cause of her shaking.
6. In sentences beginning with
here or there, the true subject
follows the verb.
There are four hurdles to jump.

There is a high hurdle to jump.

Here are the keys.

7. Use a singular verb with
distances, periods of time, sums
of money, etc.,
when considered as a unit.
Examples:
Three miles is too far to walk.
Five years is the maximum sentence
for that offense.
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
8. With words that indicate portions—
e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all—(Rule
1-is reversed, and we are guided by the
noun after of.) If the noun after of is
singular, use a singular verb. If it is
plural, use a plural verb.
1. A lot of the pie has disappeared.
A lot of the pies have disappeared.
A third of the city is unemployed.
A third of the people are unemployed.
All of the pie is gone.
All of the pies are gone.
Some of the pie is missing.
Some of the pies are missing.
9. With collective nouns such as
group, jury, family, audience,
population, the verb might be
singular or plural, depending on the
writer’s intent.
1. All of my family has arrived OR have
arrived.
Most of the jury is here OR are here.
A third of the population was opposed
OR were opposed to the bill.
10. The word were replaces
was in sentences that
express a wish or are
contrary to fact.
If Joe I wish it She
were were requested
here, Friday. that he
you'd be raised his
sorry. hand.
04.
WHAT’S
MORE
Activity 1. Identify the
correct verb that
will agree with the
subjects.
1. Everyone (has/have) done his or her
homework.
2. Each of the students (is/are) responsible for
doing his or her work.
3. Either my father or my brothers (is/are)
going to sell the car.
4. Neither my sisters nor my mother (is/are)
Going to sell the house.
5. The samples on the tray in the lab
(need/needs) testing.
6. Mary and John usually (plays/play) together.
7. Both of the dogs (has/have) collars.
8. Neither the dogs nor the cat (is/are) very
hungry.
9. The slaughter of animals for their fur
(has/have) caused controversy.
10. The student, as well as his teacher,
(was/were) going on the field trip.
Activity 2: Edit the paragraph,
correcting subject / verb
agreement.
Rewrite the paragraph and
underline the words that you
corrected. (submit your output in
the google classroom)
 WHAT I HAVE
05. LEARNED
Fill in the blanks to summarize what you
have learned in this module.

_____________ and _________ must agree in

numbers. ____________
takes a singular verb. Plural subject takes
_____________.
 Thanks
everyone!