Subjects Verbs Agreement

1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and,
use a plural verb.

She and her friends are at the fair.

2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb.

The book or the pen is in the drawer.

3. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or
nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb.

The boy or his friends run every day.

His friends or the boy runs every day.

4. Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a
contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule appears
in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns, the
contraction don't should be used.

He doesn't like it.

They don't like it.

5. Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with
the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.

One of the boxes is open

The people who listen to that music are few.

The team captain, as well as his players, is anxious.

The book, including all the chapters in the first section, is boring.

The woman with all the dogs walks down my street.

6. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody,
somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.

Each of these hot dogs is juicy.

Everybody knows Mr. Jones.

Either is correct.
7. Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and news require singular verbs.

The news is on at six.

Note: the word dollars is a special case. When talking about an amount of money, it requires a
singular verb, but when referring to the dollars themselves, a plural verb is required.

Five dollars is a lot of money.

Dollars are often used instead of rubles in Russia.

8. Nouns such as scissors, tweezers, trousers, and shears require plural verbs. (There are two parts to
these things.)

These scissors are dull.

Those trousers are made of wool.

9. In sentences beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the verb. Since "there" is
not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.

There are many questions.

There is a question.

10. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but that are considered singular and
take a singular verb, such as group, team, committee, class, and family.

The team runs during practice.

The committee decides how to proceed.

The family has a long history.

My family has never been able to agree.

The crew is preparing to dock the ship.

This sentence is referring to the individual efforts of each crew member. The Gregg Reference
Manual provides excellent explanations of subject-verb agreement (section 10: 1001).

11. Expressions such as with, together with, including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well do
not change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too.

The President, accompanied by his wife, is traveling to India.

All of the books, including yours, are in that box.

Subjects and verbs must AGREE with one another in number (singular or plural).  Thus, if a subject

is singular, its verb must also be singular; if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural.
In the present tense, nouns and verbs form plurals in opposite ways: nouns ADD an s to the singular
form; verbs REMOVE the s from the singular form.

                                     

These agreement rules do not apply to verbs used in the simple past tense without any helping verbs .

                  

The agreement rules do, however, apply to the following helping verbs when they are used with a
main verb: is-are, was-were, has-have, does-do.                  

The agreement rules do not apply to has-have when used as the SECOND helping verb in a pair. 
                     

They do NOT apply to any other helping verbs, such as can, could, shall, should, may, might, will,
would, must.

                 
The subject-verb agreement rules apply to all personal pronouns except I and you, which, although
SINGULAR, require PLURAL forms of verbs.

  
SUBJECT-VERB RULE #1 – Two or more singular (or plural) subjects joined by and act as a plural
compound subject and take a plural verb (singular + singular = plural).

You can check the verb by substituting the pronoun they for the compound subject.

                        
Or and nor as joiners work somewhat differently from and.  While the word and seems to ADD things
together, or and nor do not.  They suggest a CHOICE.

                    
Look at this sentence.

                   
This sentence makes use of a compound subject (two subject nouns joined together by or).  Each
part of the compound subject (ranger, camper) is singular.  Even though both words function together
as subject (joined by or), the subject still remains SINGULAR (ranger or camper) since a CHOICE is
implied.

This compound subject, therefore, requires a singular verb to agree with it.

SUBJECT-VERB RULE #2 – Two or more SINGULAR subjects joined

by or (or nor) act as a singular compound subject and, therefore, take
a singular verb to agree.

Note:  Two or more plural subjects joined by or (or nor) would naturally take

a plural verb to agree.
                          

However, or and nor can pose a more difficult problem.

Thus far we have been working with compound subjects whose individual
parts are both either singular or plural

   

 What if one part of the compound subject is singular and the other part
is plural?

              

What form of a verb should be used in this case?  Should the verb be singular
to agree with one word?  Or should the verb be plural to agree with the other?

Solution:

1.      If the individual parts of the compound subject are joined by and, always
use a plural verb.
                        

2.      If the individual parts of the compound subject are joined by or or nor, use
the verb form (singular or plural) which will agree with
the subject closer to the verb.

    

Group Nouns

Some nouns which name groups can be either singular or plural depending upon their meaning in
individual sentences.

                              
Because they can describe either the individuals in the group (more than one – plural), or the group
as a single entity (one only – singular), these nouns pose special problems.

However, there are some guidelines for deciding which verb form (singular or plural) to use with one
of these nouns as the subject in a sentence.
If we refer to the group as a whole and, therefore, as a single unit, we consider the
noun singular.  In this case, we use a singular verb. 

                  
If, on the other hand, we are actually referring to the individuals within the group, then we consider
the noun plural.  In this case, we use a plural verb.

          
Of course group nouns, like other nouns, can also appear in plural forms (with an s).

                      

When used in the plural form, group nouns mean MORE THAN ONE GROUP.  Thus, it uses a plural
verb.

                 
Thus, there are three important subject – verb agreement rules to remember when a group noun is
used as the subject:

1.      Group nouns can be considered as a single unit, and, thus, take a singular verb.

2.      Group nouns can be considered as individual members within a single unit and, thus, take
a plural verb.

3.      Group nouns can be given plural forms to mean two or more units and, thus, take
a plural verb.
What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement just means using the right version of the verb to agree
with the subject. For example:

Subject Verb To Be

I am

You are

He / She / is
It

We are

You are

They are
That was the verb to be. Most other verbs are even easier:

Subject Verb To Play

I play

You play

He / She / It plays

We play

You play

They play
Someone and Anyone Take Singular Verbs

The indefinite pronouns anyone, each, everyone, no one, nobody, and someone are

singular. For example:
 All and Some Can Take a Singular or a Plural Verb

The indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, and some are singular when they refer to

something singular (i.e., a non-countable noun) but plural when they refer to
something plural (i.e., a countable noun). For example:

All of the bread has been stolen. 

 All of the biscuits have been stolen. 
 My theory is that all of Scottish cuisine is based on a dare. (Mike Myers) 
 Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts. (Jim Morrison, 1943-
1971) 

Number Of Takes a Plural Verb...Most of the Time

If it helps, you can think of number as following the same rules as all and some (see
above). Therefore, the term a number of will nearly always be plural because the object
of the preposition of (i.e., the word that follows it) will be plural. For example:

 A number of men were strongly opposed to the changes. 

 Lee, a number of cakes have been stolen from the buffet. 
Beware though, because number can be a singular noun referring to an arithmetical
value. 

 The number of women was sixty-four. 

 The number of women were sixty-four. 

Terms Like Half Of, the Majority Of, and a Percentage Of Can Be Singular or Plural
 Expressions such as half of, a part of, a percentage of, a proportion of , and a majority
of are singular when they refer to something singular but plural when they refer to
something plural. For example:

 Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right
more than half the time. (E. B. White, 1899-1985) 
 Half of the world knows not how the other half lives. (George Herbert, 1593-1633) 
 Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation. (Henry
Kissinger) 
 My guess is that well over 80 percent of the human race goes without having a single
original thought. (H. L. Mencken, 1880-1956) 

None Can Take a Singular or Plural Verb

The indefinite pronoun none can be singular or plural. However, be aware that

treating none as plural might irk some of your readers as many people
believe none can only be singular. For example:

 None of the team is ready. 

 None of the team are ready. 

Also, keep an eye out for the his/her/their issue. Look at this example:

 None of the team has polished their boots.  :

 None of the team have polished their boots. 

The Words after As Well As Are Not Part of the Subject

The words which follow terms like as well as, along with, and together with are not
part of the subject. They do not compound the subject like and does. For example:

 The king along with his sons is visiting tomorrow. 

 The king and his sons are visiting tomorrow. 
 Either and Neither Are Singular

The pronouns either and neither take singular verbs. This often causes confusion

because they naturally refer to two things. For example:

 I'm not keen on beef or lamb, but either is preferable to tofu. 

 Neither of the sisters is eligible to attend. 
Or Does Not Conjoin

Unlike and, the conjunctions or and nor do not conjoin. For example:

 The king or his daughter is visiting tomorrow. 

 The king and his daughter are visiting tomorrow. 
 Neither the king nor his daughter are visiting tomorrow. 
(should be is)
 It's very tasty as it is. Neither salt nor pepper is required. 

The pairings either/or and neither/nor demand a singular verb when both elements

(shown in blue below) are singular, but a plural verb when one of them is plural. For
example:

 Either the king or the queen is coming to present the awards. 

(The elements (shown in blue) are both singular. Therefore, the verb is singular.)
 Neither cakes nor chocolate are going to give you the nutrients you need. 
(Here, one of the elements (cakes) is plural. Therefore, the verb is plural.)
Worksheet 3

Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.

1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.

2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.

3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.

4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.

5. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.

6. Benito (is, are) a tall boy.

7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.

8. Ahmad and Suraya (am, are) washing their father’s car.

9. The children (is, are) staying with their grandparents.

10. I (are, am) polishing the vase.

11. All those books (is, are) fiction.

12. They (are, is) picking some rambutans from my grandfather’s orchard.

13. Ellen (is, are) wearing a hat.

14. The new furniture (are. is) nice.

15. Too much coffee (is, are ) bad for you.

16. The band of musicians

Worksheet 5

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of the verbs in brackets.

1. There ______ (be) some butter on the plate but there ______ (be) no eggs left in
the fridge.

2. One of my colleagues ______ (have) spoken to the boss about the promotions.

3. Judy and Cindy ______ (be) going to meet and do some shopping this Saturday.

4. Anny as well as her brother ______ (have) attended the university exam.

5. Each of my uncles ______ (want) to buy a big house with a garden in Newcastle.

6. Three of the doctors in this hospital ______(have) gone abroad for a cruise holiday.

7. Not only my uncles but also my aunt Susan ______ (be) coming to see me.

8. Rice and meatballs my favourite dish ______ (be) being served in this
restaurant.

9. A large number of students ______ (have) bought tickets for the rock concert.

10. Fifteen days ______ (be) not a long time for a camping holiday.

11. Physics ______ (be) the most difficult subject at high school.

12.The doctor and the patient's parents both ______ (expect) an improvement.

13.Richard ______ (have) always been one of my best students.

14.It is James not Peter and George that ______ (want) to be a student at Harvard
University.

15.The Petersons' dog ______ (bark) whenever I pass in front of their house.

16.A great amount of money ______ (be) needed for the new conference hall.

17.Raising cattles ______ (have) always been the most popular occupation in the
country.

18.Somebody ______ (have) telephoned and asked for you. I told him that you were
out.

19.Of all the carpenters in the town, Chris ______ (do) the best work.
Worksheet 4

Circle the correct verbs in brackets

1.Everybody (has, have) finished the race.

2.Sandy (get, gets) up early on weekdays.

3.Some of the students (is, are) reading books.

4.Peter as well as Tom (has, have) attended the meeting.

5.The Johnsons (is, are) moving to Darlington next month.

6.Each of the students (is-are) interested in photography club's activities.

7.The teacher and his son (has-have) come to the school trip.

8. 80% of teenagers (want-wants) to run their own business.

9. Mary (don't-doesn't) know how to play the flute.

10. The timetable for the tournament matches (has-have) been changed because of the
harsh weather conditions.
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of the verbs in brackets.

1.There is (be) some butter on the plate but there are (be) no eggs left in the fridge.

2.One of my colleagues has (have) spoken to the boss about the promotions.

3.Judy and Cindy are (be) going to meet and do some shopping this Saturday.

4.Anny as well as her brother has (have) attended the university exam.

5.Each of my uncles wants (want) to buy a big house with a garden in Newcastle.

6.Three of the doctors in this hospital have (have) gone abroad for a cruise holiday.

7.Not only my uncles but also my aunt Susan is (be) coming to see me.

8.Rice and meatballs, my favourite dish is (be) being served in this restaurant.

9.A large number of students has (have) bought tickets for the rock concert.

10.Fifteen days is (be) not a long time for a camping holiday.

11.Physics is (be) the most difficult subject at highschool.

12.The doctor and the patient's parents both expect (expect) an improvement.

13.Richard has (have) always been one of my best students.

14.It is James not Peter and George that wants (want) to be a student at Harvard
University.

15.The Petersons' dog barks (bark) whenever I pass in front of their house.

16.A great amount of money is (be) needed for the new conference hall.

17.Raising cattles has (have) always been the most popular occupation in the country.

18.Somebody has (have) telephoned and asked for you. I told him that you were out.

19.Of all the carpenters in the town, Chris does (do) the best work.

.
Worksheet 2

Directions: Underline the form correct verbs.

1) Eric (want, wants) to go with us to the mall.

2) The students and the teacher (arrive, arrives) at the performance at the same time.

3) Amanda (enjoy, enjoys) going to the theater.

4) Barry and she (live, lives) close to the amusement park.

5) Our neighbors (park, parks) their cars across the street.

6) He (practice, practices) his violin every day after dinner.

7) Stacey and her mother (have, has) the same color hair.

8) The cafeteria (close, closes) at 8:00 p.m.

9) Coffee (taste, tastes) really good on a cold winter morning.

10) Bob and his wife (take, takes) a vacation to Canada every summer.

‹ Stop here and check your work.

11) She and her neighbor (like, likes) to walk every morning before work.

12) The wind (cause, causes) the windows to rattle.

13) You and I (is, are) here to improve our grammar skills.

14) The children (like, likes) camping in their backyard.

15) He (make, makes) the best cake I have ever eaten.

16) The computer (has, have) new software on it.

17) I (see, sees) the new building on Main Street.

18) The boy and his mother (watch, watches) the television show together.

19) My cousin (call, calls) my aunt every day at 9:00 a.m.

20) Anthony and she (play, plays) the piano beautifully.

Worksheet 1
Tick at the correct sentence.

1. My uncle own many big houses. ( )

My uncle owns many big houses. ( )

2. Kenny and Fred does not study in this school. ( )

Kenny and Fred do not study in this school. ( )

3. The kitchen equipment are arranged well. ( )

The kitchen equipment is arranged well. ( )

4. Both the twins is good at playing the piano. ( )

Both the twins are good at playing the piano. ( )

5. Sharifah, with her friend, live in the school hostel. ( )

Sharifah, with her friend, lives in the school hostel. ( )

6. One of the girls is telling a lie. ( )

One of the girls are telling a lie. ( )

7. Giraffes do not eat meat. ( )

Giraffes does not eat meat. ( )