* Subject Verb AgreementRemember that the subject and verb in a a sentence must agree in person and number.E.g. - The elevator works very well

singular singular

- The elevators work very well singular singular

*Subject separated From the verbAlways check the subject and verb to be sure they agree. However, sometimes it is difficult to decide exactly what the subject is, If the subject and verb are separated.e.g. The boys in the room are studying

plural plural

Very often, if the subject and verb are separated,

they will be separated by a prepositional phrase.

The prepositional phrase has no effect on

the verb.

Subject + (prepositional phrase) + Verb

e.g. – The study of languages is very interesting

singular (s) singular (v)

- The effects of the crime are likely to be

plural (s) plural (v)

devastating.

The following expressions also have no effect on the verb

Together with along withaccompanied by as well as

e.g. - The actress, along with her manager singular (s)

and some friends, is going to a party. singular (v)

Note: If the conjunction and is used instead of one of these phrase, the verb would then be plural.

e.g. – The actress and her manager are going to the Plural (s) plural (v)

party.

*Words that always take singular verb and pronounsThe following words must be followed by singular verbs and pronouns in formal written English.

Any+singular noun some+singular noun every eachAnybody nobody somebody everybody either*Anyone no one someone everyone

neither*Anything nothing something everything*Either and neither are singular if they are not used with or and no.

e.g. – Something was under the house - If either of you takes a vacation now, we will

not be able to finish the work - Nobody works harder than John does.

*None/noNone can take either a singular or plural verb dependingon the noun which follows it

None + of the + non-count noun + singular (v)e.g. None of the counterfeit money has been found. None + of the + plural count noun + plural (v)e.g. None of the students have finished the exam yet.

No can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun which follows it.

No + singular noun non count noun + singular verbe.g. No example is relevant to this case

No + plural noun + plural verbe.g. No examples are relevant to this case.

*Either/ NeitherWhen either and neither are followed by or and nor the verb may be singular or plural depending on whether the noun following, or and nor is singular or plural if or and nor appears alone.neither/either + noun + nor/or + plural (n) + plural (v)e.g. Neither john nor his friends are going to the

plural (n) plural (v)

beach.

Neither/either + noun + nor/or + singular (n) + singular (v)

e.g. Neither John nor Bill is going to the beach

singular (n) singular (v)

*Gerunds as subjects

If sentence begins with (verb + ing) the verb must be singular.

e.g. Dieting is very popular today.

Writing many letters makes her happy.

Knowing her has made him what he is

*Collective NounsAlso many words indicating a number of people or animals are singular. The following are usually singular.Congress family group publicOrganization team army clubGovernment jury majority* minorityClass crowd committee*Majority can be singular or plural. If it is alone it is usually singular if it is followed by plural noun it is usually plural.e.g. The majority believes that we are in no dangerExamples of collective nouns:- Our team is going to win the game- The family was elated by the news

The following nouns are used to indicate groups of certain animals. It is not necessary to learn the nouns; however, theymean the same as group and thus are considered singular.Flock of bird school of fishHerd of cattle pride of lionsPack of dogse.g. The flock of birds is circling overhead

A school of fish is being attacked by sharkCollective nouns indicating time, money, and measurements used as a whole are singulare.g. - Twenty-five dollars is too much to pay for that shirt.

- Two miles is too much to run in one day

*A Number of/the number ofA number of + plural noun + plural verb

e.g. A number of students are going the class picnic.

The number of + plural noun + singular verb

e.g. The number of days in a week is seven.

Nouns that always plural: The following nouns are always

considered plural. They cannot be singular. In order to speak

of them as singular, one must say: “a pair of ________”

Scissors shorts pants jeans tongs

Trousersglasses pliers tweezers

e.g. The pants are in the drawer

A pair of pants is in the drawer

*There is/there are: Remember that with sentences beginning with the existential there, the subject is actually after the verb.There isThere are + singular subject (non count)There has beene.g. There is a storm approaching

There was water on the floor where he fellThere areThere were + plural subjectThere have beene.g. - there were too many people at the party

- there have been a number of telephone calls today

Exercise

Choose the correct form of the verb in the following sentence.

e.g. The army (has/have) eliminated this section of the training test.

1. Neither Bill nor Mary (is/are) going to the play tonight.

2. Anything (is/are) better than going to another movie tonight.

3. A number of reporters (was/were) at the conference yesterday.

4. Your glasses (was/were) on the bureau last night.

5. Skating (is/are) becoming more popular every day.

6. There (was/were) some people at the meeting last night.

7. The committee (has/have) already reached a decision.

8. A pair of jeans (was/were) in the washing machine this morning.

9. Each student (has/have) answered the first three questions.

10. A pack of wild dogs (has/have) frightened all the ducks away.