subject verb agreement- mcgraw-hill

Business English at Work

Subject-Verb Subject-Verb AgreementAgreement

ObjectivesSelect single verbs that agree with single subjects and plural verbs that agree with plural subjects.Identify phrases between subjects and verbs that do not affect the choice of the verb.Use verbs that agree with subjects joined by and, or, and nor correctly.Select linking verbs that agree with subjects.

PP 11-1a

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Objectives

PP 11-1b

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Select verbs that agree with indefinite pronouns used as subjects.Use verbs that agree with collective nouns.Use verbs that agree with money, time periods, numbers, and measurements.Use correct verbs with subjects in inverted sentences.Use verbs that agree with plural nouns and gerund phrases.

General Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement

PP 11-2

A verb must agree with its subject in–

Person Numbera) firstb) secondc) third

a) singularb) plural

Singular Subject—Singular Verb

PP 11-3

Use a singular verb with a singular subject.Add s or es to a present part of a singular verb when the subject is third person singular.Use the simple subject to determine the correct verb form.

an employee (decides, decides)I (speak, speaks)she (plan, plans)experience (bring, brings)

he (reaches, reaches)you (agree, agrees)the telephone (ring, rings)

Plural Subject—Plural Verb

PP 11-4

Use a plural verb with a plural subject.Do not add s to a plural verb used with a plural subject (a plural noun is formed by adding s or es, but this is not true with the plural form of a verb).Use the simple subject to determine the correct verb form.

the managers (cooperate, cooperates)employees (compromise, compromise) they (decide, decides)

members (disagree, disagrees)we (discuss, discusses)

Pronoun You—Plural Verb

PP 11-5

Use a plural verb with both the second-person singular or second-person plural subject you.

you determine you think you areyou both work you are all qualified

Intervening Words and Phrases

PP 11-6a

The verb must agree with the subject, not with the object of the prepositional phrase that may appear between the subject and the verb.

My lack of experience keeps me from accepting a leadership role.The items on the agenda determine the length of our meetings.The members of our team work well together.

Intervening Words and Phrases

PP 11-6b

Disregard modifying phrases such as along with, in addition to, together with, accompanied by, as well as, and in conjunction with.Use commas to set aside these modifying phrases when they are placed between the subject and the verb.Patti, along with several other committee members, prepares our agenda.Patience, in addition to the ability to listen, plays an important part in success.

Compound Subjects Joined by And

PP 11-7

Use a plural verb with a compound subject joined by and or both . . . and. The manager and team members meet every week. Both Rachel and Rick work in the evenings. Use a singular verb with a compound subject that refers to the same person or thing or is considered a single unit.My friend and coworker has participated in panel discussions on teamwork.

Compound Subjects Joined by Or or Nor

PP 11-8

Make the verb agree with the subject nearest the verb when a compound subject is joined by or or nor or by either . . . or or neither . . . nor. Either Penny or Zola is expected to replace Maurey on the committee.Neither the supervisor nor the committee members were available after 5 p.m.

Compound Subjects With Many a, Many an, Each, and Every

PP 11-9

Use a singular verb when the words many a, many an, each, and every immediately precede a compound subject. The subject that follows one of these four expressions is considered singular; the verb must agree.Many a staff meeting and brainstorming session has resulted in numerous creative ideas.Every supervisor and department manager needs good communication skills.Each workshop participant and observer receives feedback in a timely manner.

Linking Verbs

PP 11-10

A linking verb should agree with its subject, not its subject complement (predicate noun or pronoun).Time management skills were the first workshop topic at our company retreat.Compliments are a way to start a conversation.

Indefinite Pronouns That Require Singular Verbs

PP 11-11

Use a singular verb when the subject is one of the following singular indefinite pronouns. anybody either neither oneanyone everybody no one somebodyanything everyone nobody someoneeach everything nothing something

Someone in our department commutes from Santa Rosa.One of our team members always reacts strongly to recommendations that appear costly.

Indefinite Pronouns That Require Plural Verbs

PP 11-12

Use a plural verb when the subject is one of the following pronouns: both, few, many, others, and several.Several of our employees like to organize our retreat. Many of our Website changes are the result of customers’ suggestions.Both of the team meetings are scheduled for Friday.

Collective Nouns That Require a Singular Verb

PP 11-13

Use a singular verb to refer to a group as one unit. This particular accounting team is extremely accurate. The public relations group responds quickly to any questions about company operations. The hiring committee has selected a candidate.

Collective Nouns That Require a Plural Verb

PP 11-14

Use a plural verb to refer to group members acting as individual members of the group. The team are selecting meeting dates for next year. At Mission Hills Mortgage, a peer counseling group help workers with work-related problems. The committee need to stop promoting their individual projects and make a group decision.

Publications

PP 11-15

Use a singular verb when the name of a publication such as a book, magazine, software, or newspaper is used as a subject.

The Insider publishes our company announcements. The Internet Guide reviews Websites.

Companies, Institutions, and Organizations

PP 11-16

Use a singular verb when the name of a company, an institution, or an organization is used as a subject of a sentence. Marriott International Inc. emphasizes the ability to work as a member of a team. Gateway Technical College makes teamwork a part of each class.

Money, Time Periods, Numbers, and Measurements

PP 11-17

Use a singular verb with money, measurements, time periods, or numbers when referring to one total amount or unit. Two hours is the time limit for all staff meetings.Twenty dollars is the donation expected from each employee.

Fractional Amounts—Singular Verbs

PP 11-18

Use a singular verb with expressions such as the majority of, a part of, a portion of, a percentage of or one-half of when the noun that follows the word of is singular.The majority of our team is in support of the software update.A small percentage of our meeting time involves socializing.

Fractional Amounts—Plural Verbs

PP 11-19

Use a plural verb with expressions such as a majority of, a part of, a portion of, a percentage of, or one-half of when the noun that follows the word of is plural.A majority of my colleagues support the proposal.A large percentage of company computers have project management software.

A Number/The Number

PP 11-20

Use a plural verb with the subject a number. A number of the members of this committee are eager to reorganize the department.

Use a singular verb with the subject the number. The number of accounting employees increases as our business expands.

Sentences Beginning with Here and There

PP 11-21

Locate the subject in a sentence that begins with here or there. The verb should agree with the subject.

There are five candidates for the manager’s position.Here is the agenda for the meeting.

Questions

PP 11-22

Locate the subject in a question, and make the verb agree with the subject.

Do you agree with the recommendations of the committee?Why are you attending the leadership seminar in California?

Nouns Ending in ics

PP 11-23

Use a singular verb with a noun that ends in ics when the noun refers to one topic of study. Statistics prepares employees for analyzing data. Use a plural verb with a noun that ends in ics when the noun refers to more than one idea or item. The statistics from our Website are valuable in analyzing our customers’ needs.

Plural Nouns

PP 11-24

Use a plural verb with such nouns ending in s as assets, dues, earnings, goods, grounds, odds, proceeds, savings, and thanks when these nouns are used as subjects. The odds were against us, but we tried to get additional support staff for the project team. No dues are required from members of teams.

Gerund Phrases

PP 11-25

Use a singular verb when a gerund phrase is the subject of a sentence. Completing leadership training takes commitment.Assuming leadership roles is important for all employees.

End of

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