Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA) Part 1 by Mel Anthony A. Cerilo

identify the subject and the verb
in the sentence;
appreciate the importance of
following rules;
familiarize with the rules of
subject-verb agreement; and
engage in activities
concerning the subject-
Verb agreement.
Rules of
Agreement
SUBJECT-
Verb
(SVA)
REMEMBER
Subject and verb
must agree with
each other.
Rule #1
A singular subject
must have a singular
verb; and A plural
subject must have a
plural verb.
Example:
Asians give
importance to
education.
Rule #2
Compound
subject takes
plural verb.
Example:
Rose and Linda are
best friends in
school.
Rule #3
Compound subject
referring to a single
person/ idea takes a
singular verb.
Examples:
Peace and calm
reigns over the
country.
Rule #4
Compound
subjects modified
by each and every
are singular.
Example:
Each of the students
has a laptop
computer.
Rules of
Agreement
SUBJECT-
Verb
(SVA)
Rule #5
Nouns plural in form
but singular in
meaning takes
singular verbs.
Examples:
• Seychelles is a country
consisting of over 100 islands.
• Economics is an important, but
often ignored subject.
• Mathematics is a challenging
subject.
Some nouns end in s, but
are not plural.
Ex. News, Physics,
Economics
Rule #6
When compound
subjects are joined by
or, nor, either-or,
neither-nor, the verb
agrees with the subject
nearer it.
Examples:
• Neither the plates nor the
serving bowl goes on that shelf.
• Neither the serving bowl nor
the plates go on that shelf.
The verb agrees with the
subject nearer it.
Rule #7
When regarded
as a UNIT, a
collective noun
is singular.
Collective
Noun
is a name for a group of
people or things such as
"family," "class," and
"flock."
Example:
• The family is driving across the
country this summer.
• The couple eats out once a month.
• The herd usually stays together.
Rule #8
When regarded as
INDIVIDUALS, a
collective noun is
a plural.
Examples:
• The family are each doing a
different chore.
• The couple are taking separate
cars to work today.
• The jury were allowed to go home
to their families each day.
Rule #9
When preceded by
the article A, the
subject number is
plural.
Examples:
• A number of poor children are
afflicted by the epidemic.
• A number of schools are closed
today.
• A number of people have passed
through the acid tests of life.
Rule #10
When preceded by
the article THE, the
subject number is
singular.
When used with the definite
article the, however, number
usually requires a singular
verb.
Example:
• The number of schools is
increasing.
• The number of people lined
up for tickets was four
hundred.
Remember:
A- Plural
The - Singular
Rule #11
The verb agrees
with affirmative,
not with the
negative subject.
Affirmative
(positive) form
is used to express the
validity or truth of a basic
assertion.
Negative
Form
it expresses its falsity.
Example:
"Jane is here"
and
"Jane is not here"
Example:
The father, nor the
mother, decides on the
welfare of the family.
Rule #12
Singular indefinite
pronouns like
someone, anyone,
each, neither, either,
take singular verbs.
Indefinite Pronouns
anyone, everyone, someone,
no one, nobody are always
singular and, therefore,
require singular verbs.
Examples:
• Someone is by your side to
support you at the confrontation.
• Either of the two designs is fine.
• Everyone has done his or her
homework.
•
Rule #13
Impersonal pronoun IT
at the beginning of a
sentence is followed
by a singular verb.
Examples:
• It is his suggestions that
finally take precedence.
• It has been a difficult
journey.
Rule #14
The plural indefinite
pronouns like all, both,
several, few, many,
take plural verbs.
Examples:
• Many have been invited to
my party.
• Few have come and
attended however.
Delving
Deeper
1. Everybody (desire, desires) world peace.
2. The students, not the teacher, (is, are) going to the
amusement park.
3. Either Atsuko or Sam (is, are) bringing sushi.
4. My sister, not my parents, (has, have) seen that
new movie.
5. A number of suggestions (was, were) made.
6. There (is, are) a number of important announcements in
the bulletin.
7. The mock trial team (was, were) happy with their
presentations to the judge.
8. The news (is, are) that Todd and Barbie are engaged.
9. Neither the singers nor the composer (is, are) benefited
by the concert.
10. Either Jim or his friends (is, are) volunteering to
clean the mess.
11. Nothing (matter, matters) to a desperate man.
12. Each of the teachers (has, have) an instructional
materials.
1. Everybody (desire, desires) world peace.
2. The students, not the teacher, (is, are) going to the
amusement park.
3. Either Atsuko or Sam (is, are) bringing sushi.
4. My sister, not my parents, (has, have) seen that
new movie.
5. A number of suggestions (was, were) made.
6. There (is, are) a number of important announcements in
the bulletin.
7. The mock trial team (was, were) happy with their
presentations to the judge.
8. The news (is, are) that Todd and Barbie are engaged.
9. Neither the singers nor the composer (is, are) benefited
by the concert.
10. Either Jim or his friends (is, are) volunteering to
clean the mess.
11. Nothing (matter, matters) to a desperate man.
12. Each of the teachers (has, have) an instructional
materials.
Directions:
In each of the following
sentences, select the appropriate
form of the verb. Underline your
correct answer.
Directions:
Put a C if the sentence is
correct, an X if it is not
correct.
Directions:
Complete the following sentences. Insert a
verb and any other words necessary to
make a complete sentence. Make sure that
the subject and verb are in agreement.
Ex: Each business and restaurant… has to
display a business license.
Thank You!

Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA) Part 1 by Mel Anthony A. Cerilo

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA) Part 1 by Mel Anthony A. Cerilo

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA) Part 1 by Mel Anthony A. Cerilo

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

identify the subject and the verb

You might also like