Rule 1. Number Agreement: Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
Rule 1. Number Agreement
Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms the background
of the concept. And, only the subject affects the verb! Nothing else matters.
 The dog growls when he is angry.
 The dogs growl when they are angry.
Rule 2. Words Between Subject and Verb
Subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases that come between the subject and verb don't
affect their agreement.
 The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.

 The colors of the rainbow are beautiful.
Rule 3. There or Here
When sentences start with "there" or "here," the subject will always be placed after the verb.
Some care needs to be taken to identify each part correctly.
 There is a problem with the balance sheet.

 Here are the papers you requested.
Rule 4. Subject After Verb in Questions
Subjects don't always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately identify the
subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use.
 Where are the pieces of this puzzle?

 Where is the key I left on the desk?
Rule 5. Joined by And
If two subjects are joined by "and," they typically require a plural verb form.
 The cow and the pig are jumping over the moon.

 Billy and Jake are going to the movies.
Rule 6. Two Subjects Separated by And
The verb is singular if the two subjects separated by "and" refer to the same person or thing as a
whole.
 Red beans and rice is my mom's favorite dish.
 Spaghetti and meatballs is a great meal.
Rule 7. Each, Every and No
If the word "each," "every" or "no" comes before the subject, the verb is singular.
 No smoking or drinking is allowed.
 Every man and woman is required to check in.
Rule 8. Multiple Subjects Connected With Conjunction
If the subjects are both singular and are connected by the words "or," "nor," "neither/nor,"
"either/or," or "not only/but also," the verb is singular. If the subjects are both plural and are
connected by the words "or," "nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," or "not only/but also," the verb is
plural.
 Either Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident

 Not only dogs but also cats are available at the animal shelter.
Rule 9. Singular and Plural Subjects Connected by Conjunction
If one subject is singular and the other is plural and the words are connected by the words "or,"
"nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," or "not only/but also," use the verb form of the subject that is
nearest the verb.
 Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the zoo.

 Neither the lion nor the bears have escaped from the zoo.
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Rule 10. Units of Measure
The singular verb form is usually reserved for units of measurement or time.
 Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.

 Ten minutes is enough time to get there.
Rule 11. Object of the Preposition
The only time the object of the preposition decides plural or singular verb forms is when noun
and pronoun subjects like "some," "half," "none," "more," or "all" are followed by a
prepositional phrase. Then the object of the preposition determines the form of the verb.
 All of the chicken is gone.
 All of the chickens are gone.
Rule 12. Infinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs. The exceptions to the rule include
the pronouns "few," "many," "several," and "both." These always take the plural form.
 Everybody wants to be loved.
 Few were left alive after the flood.
Rule 13. Gerunds
When gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence, they take the singular form of the verb.
However, when they are linked by "and," they take the plural form.
 Standing in the water was a bad idea.

 Swimming in the ocean and playing drums are my hobbies.
Rule 14. Collective Nouns
A collective noun, such as "team" or "staff," can be either singular or plural depending upon the
rest of the sentence. Typically, they take the singular form, as the collective noun is treated as a
cohesive single unit.
 The herd is stampeding.
 The flock is flying south.
Rule 15. Titles of Books
Titles of books, movies, novels, and other similar works are treated as singular and take a
singular verb.
 The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.

 Gone With the Wind is my favorite movie of all time.
Exceptions to the Rules
What would a grammar lesson be without a few exceptions to the rules? Let's review some of the
most notable exceptions.
 "Anyone," "everyone," "someone," "no one," and "nobody" always require singular
verbs.
 "Neither" and "either" require singular verbs even though they seem to be referring to
two separate things.
 When a sentence compounds a positive and a negative subject and only one is plural, the
verb should agree with the positive subject.
 Words that indicate portions of a whole, such as "percent," "fraction," "some," "none,"
and "remainder," require a singular verb only if the object of the preposition is singular.
 "Who," "that," and "which" can be singular or plural, according to the noun directly in
front of them.
 The phrase introduced by "as well as" or "along with" modifies the earlier word but
doesn't compound the subjects.
 Modifiers between the subject and verb do not affect whether the verb is singular or
plural.
 Just because a word ends in -s doesn't automatically make it plural.
1. A singular subject takes the S-form of the verb except I and you. A plural subject takes
the base form.
Ex.
The medical technologist examines the swab samples.
The medical technologists examine the swab samples.
2. Compound subjects joined by and may either be singular or plural depending on the
meaning.
Ex.
Pasta and pizza make a filling meal for Italians.
Rice and fish is the staple food of Filipinos.
3. The intervening phrase does not affect the number of the subject.
Ex.
The man, together with his kids, drops by the Jollibee Drive-Thru.
The students, along with their teacher, hold a video conference.
4. For either-or and neither-nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it.
Ex.
Either the principal or the teachers, disseminate the information.
Neither the students nor the teacher is aware of that directive.
5. There may either be paired with a plural verb depending on the subject that follows.
Ex.
There are many people inside the hall.
There is only one person without a face shield.
6. Little is used for mass nouns and singular in form ; few is used for count nouns and
plural.
Ex.
A little serving of sugar is not harmful to one;s health.
A few pieces of modules are scattered on the floor.
7. Monetary and weight value, regardless of the amount, is taken singularly.

Ex.
Ten thousand dollars is already a fortune when converted to Philippine peso.
Two kilos of beef costs six hundred-fifty pesos.
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8. Fractions, may either be singular or plural depending on the subject that follows.
Ex.
A quarter large pizza has been eaten.
One-half of the fruits in the box are rotten
ACTIVITY 1
DO NOT COPY the sentences anymore. Just write the answer of your choice.
1. The socialite (has, have) a hundred designer bags.

2. You ( own, owns) a vast track of land.
3. The three children, accompanied by their mother (cross, crosses) the street.
4. Neither he nor his pals ( has, have) come in contact with the Covid positive
patient.
5. There (has, have) been many cases of local transmission lately.
6. Ten thousand pesos (was, were) sent to him through GCash by his mother.
7. One-third of his earnings (go, goes) to utility bills.
8. “Five-Hundred Miles” (has, have) a nice tune.
9. Two hours (is, are) a long time to wait.
10. Pineapple and mango (is, are) are juicy tropical fruits.
ACTIVITY 2
Write a 6 sentence paragraph observing correct subject-verb agreement.

Rule 1. Number Agreement: Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

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Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

Rule 1. Number Agreement

Rule 2. Words Between Subject and Verb

 The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.

Rule 3. There or Here

 There is a problem with the balance sheet.

Rule 4. Subject After Verb in Questions

 Where are the pieces of this puzzle?

Rule 5. Joined by And

 The cow and the pig are jumping over the moon.

Rule 6. Two Subjects Separated by And

Rule 7. Each, Every and No

Rule 8. Multiple Subjects Connected With Conjunction

 Either Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident

Rule 9. Singular and Plural Subjects Connected by Conjunction

 Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the zoo.

Rule 10. Units of Measure

 Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.

Rule 11. Object of the Preposition

Rule 12. Infinite Pronouns

Rule 13. Gerunds

 Standing in the water was a bad idea.

Rule 14. Collective Nouns

Rule 15. Titles of Books

 The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.

Exceptions to the Rules

7. Monetary and weight value, regardless of the amount, is taken singularly.

1. The socialite (has, have) a hundred designer bags.

Write a 6 sentence paragraph observing correct subject-verb agreement.

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