SUBJECT VERB

AGREEMENT (SVA)
RULE #1:
• A singular subject must have a singular verb. A plural subject must
have a plural verb
Singular Subject-Singular Verb: Jeremy craves affection.
Plural Subject-Plural Verb: These boys crave for affection.
RULE #2:
• A phrase that interrupts the subject and its verb does not affect
subject verb agreement
Examples: The decision of the legislators is upsetting to the people.
The families whose town was flooded a quire temporary shelter.
 RULE #2:
Intervening Parenthetical Expressions such as together with, along
with, as well as, in addition to, in spite of, and including also do not
affect the subject-verb agreement.
Examples: The boy, along with his parents enjoys the parade.
The players, along with their coach prepare for the game.

RULE #4:
Compound subjects joined by the verb determines agreement. either
or neither-nor, and not only-but also; the subject closest to
Examples: Either lanterns or a candle is used on the porch.
Not only Ana but also her sisters are ready for the departure.
RULE #4
A compound subject joined by "and" is generally plural and
must have a plural verb.
Example: A lantern and a candle are used in the porch.
Exceptions occur when the part of the compound subject equal one thing.
Example: Our principal and history teacher is Mr. De Guzman.
If the compound subject is generally taken as a single unit. Bread and
butter was all they offered us.
Example: Rice and fish is the staple food for us Filipinos.
If the compound subject is introduced by the word "each" or "every"
Example: Every chart and diagram was drown with precision.
RULE #6:
• A subject that comes after its verb must still agree with it in
number.
Examples: Under the hen's wings was a tiny chick.
There are papers underneath the desk.
There is a paper underneath the desk.
RULE #7:
• A collective noun takes a singular verb when the group it names
acts as a single unit.
Examples: The team has won every game.
A flock of starlings is flying over head.
RULE #8:
• A collective noun takes a plural verb when the group it names
act as individuals with different points of view.
Example: The team is quarrelling in the locker room.
The flocks of starlings jostle one another as race.

RULE #9:
• The term "the number" is singular, "a number" is plural
Example: The number of whooping cranes is increasing.
A number of whooping cranes are seen around the area
 RULE #10:
• Nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning agree with
singular verbs.
Examples: Measles threatens unborn babies.
Mathematics is my waterloo.
RULE #11:
• Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (anybody,
everybody, somebody, anyone, everyone, someone, each, either);
others are always plural (both, few, many others, and several)
Example: Everybody is in the room.
Others are still outside.
RULE #12:
Some indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural depending on
the object of the "of phrase". Among these indefinite pronouns
include (all, any, more, most, none and some).
Examples: Most of the pie was eaten.
Most of the hinges have been oiled.
RULE #13:
A title is singular and must have singular verbs.
Example: “The Bunner Sisters” is a novel by Wharton.
RULE #14:
A noun expressing an amount or measurement is usually
singular and requires a singular verb.
Example: Twenty-five pesos starts the dryer.

The identification of the verb to be used depends also on

object of the "of phrase"
Example: Three fourths of the apple was given to the child.
Half of the brochures were mailed yesterday.
RULE #15

The following nouns that are always plural (scissors,

trousers, shorts, eyeglasses, pliers, pants, jeans,
tongs). To change them to singular, use a qualifying
phrase like "a pair of.

Example: The pliers were on the table.

A pair of the pliers was on the table.
These scissors were dull.
1.Neither Bill nor Mary (is, are) going to the play tonight.
2.Anything (is, are) better than going to another movie tonight.
3.Skating (is, are) becoming more popular every day.
4.Behind these tall buildings (lie, lies) the museum.
5.A number of reporters (was, were) at the conference yesterday.
6.The participants as well as the speaker (come, comes) earlier
than expected.
7.Everybody who (nurses, nurse) a fever must go home and rest.
8.Each crack and crevice (was, were) filled with cement.
9.Coal or wood (is, are) burned in the stone.
10.The snowflakes' lacy pattern (fill, fills) us with wonder.
11.Most kitchen countertops (is, are) laminated plastic.
12.Both (agree, agrees) to your decision.
13.The houses built on the beach (need, needs) repairs.
14.There (has, have) been too many interruptions in the class.
15.The jury (is, are) trying to reach a decision.
16.Is there (was, were) only a few people on the meeting last
week.
17.A pair of jeans (is, are) in the washing machine this morning.
18.Half of the cookie (is, are) consumed.
19.Either the elevator or the escalators (take, takes) you there.
20.Most of the soil (seem, seems) fertile.
1.Five and five (is, are) ten.
2.There (is, are) room for both of us.
3.Both of them (is, are) coming home for the holidays.
4.Some of the coffee (has, have) been spilled,
5.Gabriel, together with his cousins (is, are) watching a movie.
6.These days, television, not newspapers (is, are) the people's source
of news.
7.One-half of the toxic wastes (has, have) escaped.
8.Fifty percent of Olympic players (is, are) female.