SUBJECT -VERB AGREEMENT

VERBS USED WITH SINGULAR SUBJECTS: is,

was, has, does, had, V1(+e/es)
VERBS USED WITH PLURAL SUBJECTS: are,
were, have, do, had, V1
‘I’ as subject: am
In the sentences given below SUBJECT
In the sentences given below VERBS

Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

1. If the subject is singular, the verb
must be singular too.
Example: She writes every day.
When using the singular "they," use
plural verb forms.
If the subject is plural, the verb must
also be plural.
 Example: They write every day.
2. When the subject of the sentence
is composed of two or more nouns or
pronouns connected by and, use a
plural verb.
Example: The doctoral
student and the committee
members write every day.
Example: The percentage of
employees who called in sick and the
number of employees who left their
jobs within a year are reflective of the
level of job satisfaction.
3. When there is one subject and
more than one verb, the verbs
throughout the sentence must agree
with the subject.
Example: Interviews are one way to
collect data and allow researcher to
gain an in-depth understanding of
participants.
 Example: An
assumption is something that is
generally accepted as true and is an
important consideration when
conducting a doctoral study.
4. When a phrase comes between the
subject and the verb, remember that
the verb still agrees with the subject,
not the noun or pronoun in the phrase
following the subject of the sentence.
Example: The student, as well as
the committee members, is excited.
The students, as well as
the committee member, are excited.
Example: The student with all the
master’s degrees is very motivated.
Example: The focus of the
interviews was to select participants.
5. When two or more singular nouns
or pronouns are connected by "or" or
"nor," use a singular verb.
 Example: The chairperson or the
CEO approves the proposal before
proceeding.
6. Two singular subjects connected
with the following words: either-or,
neither-nor, not only, but also, take a
singular verb.
But 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 closest to the
verb. This is also called the rule of
proximity.
Example: The student or the
committee members write every
day.
Example: The committee
members or the
student writes every day.
Example: Neither the penguins nor
the polar bear has escaped from the
zoo.
 Neither the polar bear nor the
penguins have escaped from the
zoo.
Example: Not only dog, but cats are
also loving.
7. The words and phrases "each,"
"each one," "either," "neither,"
"everyone," "everybody," "anyone,"
"anybody," "nobody," "somebody,"
"someone," and "no one" are singular
and require a singular verb.
Example: Each of the
participants was willing to be
recorded.
Example: Neither alternative
hypothesis was accepted.
Example: I will offer a $5 gift card
to everybody who participates in
the study.
Example: No one was available to
meet with me at the preferred times.
8. Noncountable nouns take a
singular verb.
Example: Education is the key to
success.
Example: Diabetes affects many
people around the world.
Example: The information obtained
from the business
owners was relevant to include in
the study.
Example: The research I found on
the topic was limited.
9. Some countable nouns in
English such as earnings, goods,
odds, surroundings, proceeds,
contents, and valuables only have a
plural form and take a plural verb.
Example: The earnings for this
quarter exceed expectations.
Example: The proceeds from the
sale go to support the homeless
population in the city.
 Example: Locally produced
goods have the advantage of
shorter supply chains.
10. 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 the verb.
Example: There is little administrativ
e support.
There were many people on the
road.
There was no one on the road.
Example: There are many factors aff
ecting teacher retention.
There are four hurdles to jump.
There is a high hurdle to jump.
Here are the keys.
Here is the map to the hidden
treasure.
11. Collective nouns are words that
imply more than one person but are
 considered singular and take a
singular verb. Some examples are
"group," "team," "committee," "family,"
and "class."
Example: The group meets every
week.
Example: The committee agrees on
the quality of the writing.

12. Words that come between subject

and verb do not affect the number (i.e.
singular and plural) form of the verb.
Example: The price of mangoes has
increased this summer.
Example: The girls, who were
dancing, are expert dancers

13. Two singular subjects connected

by or either/or, or neither/nor require a
singular verb.
Examples:
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by
train today.
Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
Either Kiana or Casey is helping today
with stage decorations.

14.Certain subjects separated by ‘and’

are so inseparable that they’re considered
single unit and hence they take singular
verbs.
Example: Bread and butter has
never been served in the canteen.
Some more examples: slow and
steady, Fish and chips, Rice and
curry.
15. When two singular nouns joined by
‘and’ refer to the same person or thing,
the verb is singular
Example: The captain and coach of
the team has been sacked.
In case these were two different
individuals, two articles need to be
used:
Example: The captain and the coach
of the team have been sacked
 16.Sometimes the subject is separated
from the verb by such words as along
with, as well as, besides, not, etc.
These words and phrases are not part of
the subject. Ignore them and use a
singular verb when the subject is singular.
Examples:
The politician, along with the
newsmen, is expected shortly.
Excitement, as well as
nervousness, is the cause of her
shaking.

17. Use a singular verb with distances,

periods of time, sums of money, etc.,
when considered as a unit.
Examples:
Three miles is too far to walk.
Five years is the maximum sentence
for that offense.
Two days is not enough for me to
rest.
Hundred rupees is too high a price
for this toy.
 Hundred rupees notes/bills
__are____ lying on the floor.
18. With words that indicate portions—
e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all, we
are guided by the noun after of. If the
noun after of is singular, use a singular
verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
Examples:
A lot of the pie has disappeared.
A lot of the pies have disappeared.
A third of the city is unemployed.
A third of
the people are unemployed.
All of the pie is gone.
All of the pies are gone.
Some of the pie is missing.
Some of the pies are missing.
19. . The word ‘were’ replaces ‘was’ in
sentences that express a wish or are
contrary to fact:
Example: If Joe were here, you'd be
sorry.
*used to express things that are
hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or
factually contradictory.
If I were the Prime Minister