Download - Subject – verb agreement
RULE #1A verb agrees with its
subject in number.(A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes plural verb.)
RULE #2
The number of the subject (singular and plural) is NOT changed by a phrase or a clause that separates the subject from the verb.
RULE #2 EXAMPLES
1. One of the eggs is broken.2. The ozone layer which has holes absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation.3. Radio waves with short wavelength penetrate the atmosphere and are used to communicate with spacecraft.
These subjects ALWAYS take singular verbs:
Each Either Neither
One No oneEveryo
neSomeo
neAnyone Nobody
Somebody
Anybody
Everybody
RULE #3 EXAMPLES
1. Someone in the game was (not were) hurt.
2. Neither of them is (not are) working.
RULE #4a EXAMPLES
1. Most of the news is good.(singular)
2. Most of the flowers were yellow. (plural)
RULE #6b
Compound subjects connected by and , and are closely related or refer to the same person or thing use singular verbs.
RULE #6b EXAMPLES
1. Bread and butter is good food.
2. My classmate and bestfriend is coming to dinner.
RULE #6c
When or, nor, neither – nor, either – or connect two subjects, a verb agrees with the nearest subject.
RULE #7 EXAMPLES
1. There are new discoveries every minute of the day.
2. Here is a basket of apples for you.
RULE #8
A collective noun used to denote a UNIT uses a SINGULAR VERB. It takes a PLURAL VERB when it is used to refer to INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF A GROUP.
Following are some common examples:
Army CrowdOrchestr
aAudienc
eFlock Public
Class Group Swarm
Club Herd Team
Committee
Jury troop