SUBJECT – VERB

AGREEMENT
RULES
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Subject- Verb Agreement

A verb changes
whenever its subject
changes in number
and person.
Here are the rules:
1. A verb must agree
with its subject in
person and in number.

A singular subject
takes singular
verb.
 Singular subject-
one person or object.
 Plural subject-
two or more persons
or objects

 Singular verb-
-s or –es form
 Plural verb-
base or simple form
 Linking Verbs / Helping
verbs
Singular Plural
is are
was were
am
has have
does do
Examples:
• Marie asks
many questions about
life.
• Marie and Ana ask
many questions about
life.
• The students ask
many questions about
life.
2. Pronouns you and
I always require
the plural form of
the verb even in
cases where they
refer to only one.
Examples:
• Jane, you need to
listen attentively.
• Students, you need
to listen attentively.
• I need to
finish my work
today.
3. Singular pronouns take
singular verbs; plural
pronouns take plural
verbs.
Examples:
• She is a diligent worker.
• They are diligent workers.
• He wants to be rich.
• We want to be rich.
4. Indefinite pronouns are
singular. They always
take the singular form of
the
verb.
each anybody
nobody someone
everyone
either
Examples:
• Everyone is required to
attend the workshop.
• Somebody knocks on
the door.
• No one was absent
during the examination.
5. Subjects joined by and
usually takes plural verbs.
Those joined by and and
mean a single idea take
a singular verb.
Examples:
• John’s book and videotape
were missing.
• Grilled ham and cheese
is what I often have
for breakfast.
• My sister and my best friend
are very supportive.
6. Compound subjects
joined by either-or and
neither- nor take verbs
that agree with the nearer
subject.
Examples:
• Either the teacher or the
students prepare for the
mass action.
7. When a compound subject
includes one affirmative
and onenegative part, make
the verb agree with the
affirmative part.
Examples:
•
You, not she, are allowed
to leave.
8. The expression a number
requires plural verb, while
the number requires
singular verb.
Examples:
• The number of people in the
court represents the
vigilant citizenry.
• A number of media men
now are now here.
9. Some, half, all, none, part
may take either a singular
or plural verb depending on
how they were used in the
context.
Plural-if they mean a
number
Singular- if they refer to
an amount
Examples:
• Some of the apple
pie was eaten.
• Some of the apple
pies were eaten.
• All is finished.
• All were present in the
ceremony.
10. If the subject and the
verb are interrupted by
an intervening phrase,
such as including, along
with, with, together with,
etc. ,the verb must still
agree with the simple
subject.
Examples:
• Mary, together with her
children, prays the
rosary.
• I, as well as my friends,
am willing to help.
11. In inverted sentences,
make the verb agree with
the real subject, which
usually follows the verb.
Examples:
• There was only one person
who disagreed with
the president.
Examples:
• Here comes Rex.
• Here come Rex and
Tim.
• There goes the culprit.
• There go the culprits.
12. Nouns plural in form but
singular in number require
singular verbs.
news gymnastics
mathematics
economics measles
physics athletics
species
Examples:
• Our politics needs sensible
and compassionate leaders.
• Mathematics is easy if you
are
diligent.
• Last night’s news was
shocking.
13. A collective noun takes
a singular verb if it is
regarded as a unit.
However, it takes a plural
verb if it refers to the
individuals in the group.
team committee
jury army
Examples:
• The school makes its stand
regarding the
controversial issue.
• The committee debate on
the matter.
14. Units such as
amounts, size, time,
quantities or distances,
when used as a subject
of the sentence require
the
singular form of the
verb.
Examples:
• Five million pesos is the
pot money for today’s
game.
• The first three
months was crucial.
15. For titles of movies, songs,
books, etc., use the
singular form of the verb.
Examples:
• “The Three Musketeers” was
written by Alexander
Dumas.
• “Charlie’s Angels” is her
favorite movie.
16. Fractions requireverbs
depending on the
headword in the of-
phrase. If the headword is
singular, the verb
required is singular. If the
headword is plural, a plural
verb is required.
Examples:
• Four-fifths of the
mangoes have been sold.
• Two-fourths of the pizza
was already consumed.
• One-half of the
watermelons are
rotten.
17. Nouns plural both
in form and meaning
such as tongs,
scissors, trousers,
pliers, shears, pants,
require plural verbs.
Examples:
• The scissors I borrowed
from you are very
sharp.
• The pliers
need
lubrication.
• The pants are
18. Pronouns many,
several, a few,
some, and both take
plural verbs.
Examples:
• Many are called but few
are chosen.
19. Adjectives used as
nominals require
plural verbs.
Examples:
• The poor are to
be helped.
• The brave make
good
20. The pronoun
it is always
followed by a
singular verb.
Examples:
• It is you they want
to see.
Activity
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