SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT

1. A verb must agree with its subject in number.

AGREEMENT IN NUMBER

2. Number refers to whether a word is singular – naming one – or plural – naming more than

one.

Singular Subject Takes Singular Verb

3. A singular subject takes a singular verb. For example:

That boy follows a trail. (singular subject, singular verb)

PLURAL SUBJECT TAKES A PLURAL VERB4. A plural subject takes a plural

verb.

For Example: Those boys follow a trail. (plural

subject, plural verb.)

COMPOUND SUBJECTS5. A Compound subject is made

up of two or more simple subjects joined by a conjunction such as

“and, or, nor.”

Using conjunction “And”

6. A compound subject whose subjects are joined by “and” usually take a plural verb.

For Example: The radio and the CD player are

both playing.

Exception to Rule: Using Conjunction “And”

Sometimes a compound subject joined by “and” is used as a singular unit and takes a singular verb.

Example: Macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite meals.

Here the word macaroni and cheese is acting as one word because the two words together create one specific idea, so it takes a singular verb.

USING THE CONJUNCTION OR - NOR

7. When the parts of a compound subject are joined by “or” or “nor,”

the verb should agree with the compound part closest to the verb.

For Example: Either Picasso or the impressionists are good subjects for a term paper.

Agreement Problems in Sentences

There are five situations when the subject is in an unusual position and difficult to match with the verb.

1. Question – Does your house have a big yard? (verb/subj)

2. Here and There – Here are the new bushes. (verb/subj)

3. Inverted Sent. – Up to the plate, walked the batter. (verb/subj)

4. Pred. Nouns – The delight (of the gardener) is the old rosebushes. (rosebushes – pred. noun, not subject)

5. Prep. Phrases – This pot (of flowers) blooms in spring. The subject is never part of a prep. Phrase. Block out

any words between the subject and verb.

Agreement Problems Find the verbs in this paragraph that do not

agree with their subjects. Write the numbers of the sentences in which you find agreement problems.

(1) Mr. Johnson love swamps. (2) Therefore, on

our field trip we went to Green Swamp. (3) Most of us would have chosen a day at the beach. (4) According to Mr. Johnson, the neatest things happens in swamps. (5) He have lectured more than once on the topic of metamorphosis. (6) His examples has been caterpillars turning into butterflies and tadpoles turning into frogs.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS AS SUBJECTS

An indefinite pronoun does not refer to a specific person, place, thing, or idea. When used a subjects, some

indefinite pronouns are always singular. Others are always plural, and then others can be singular or plural depending on how they are

used.

SINGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

Each, Either, Neither, Another, and all the One’s, Body’s, and Things.

For Example: (Singular Subject) (Singular Verb)

Neither of the books was in the library. When singular indefinite pronouns are used as subjects, they take a singular

verb.

PLURAL INDEFINITE PRONOUN

Boys fight mainly sissies! –OR- Both, Few, Many, Several

For Example:Many of the videotapes are new.

When plural indefinite pronouns are used as subjects, they take a plural

verb.

ON-THE-LINE PRONOUNSSANAM

Some, Any, None, All, Most can be singular or plural.

If the pronoun refers to a single person or thing, it takes a singular verb. If it refers to more than one person or thing, it takes a plural verb. You

have to say: Most of what? All of what? None of what?

For Example:

All of these books were approved. (books/plural)All of the reading list was approved. (list/sing.)

Practice Indefinite Pronouns

1. Everybody (enjoys, enjoy) our school’s art fair. 2. Most of the artworks (is, are) quite good. 3. Something always (makes, make) students smile. 4. Yet one (has, have) no need to fear humiliation. 5. None of the artists (gets, get) upset. 6. None of the criticism (is, are) mean-spirited. 7. Everyone (understands, understand) that artists

should be encouraged. 8. Some (takes, take) longer to develop their talent. 9. Each of us (has, have) the right to express himself

or herself in art. 10. All of the fairs (is, are) conducted in this spirit

Problem Subjects

When collective nouns, nouns ending in “s”, titles, and numerical expressions are used as subjects, it can be difficult to tell whether they take singular or plural verbs.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns name groups of people or things.

Common Collective Nouns: Group, crowd, crew, herd, flock,

public, family, club, class, faculty, team, choir

Collective Nouns

Many collective nouns take singular or plural verbs, depending on how they are used. When a collective noun refers to people or things acting as a group, it takes a singular verb.

Example: The faculty sponsors an art exhibit each year.

When a collective noun refers to people or things acting as individuals, it takes a plural verb.

Example: The faculty disagree on the rules of the exhibit.

Singular Nouns Ending in “s”

Some nouns that end in “s” or “ics” look plural, but actually refer to a singular concept. When used as subjects, they take a singular verb.

Singular Nouns with Plural Forms Measles Linguistics News Pediatrics Politics Forensics Civics Mathematics Genetics Mechanics Physics Economics Ceramics Molasses Mumps

Example: Ceramics is the art of making objects from clay.

Titles

Titles of works of art, literature, and music are singular. Even a title consisting of a plural noun takes a singular verb.

Example: Sunflowers is a famous painting by Vincent van Gogh.

Amounts of Time Words and phrases that express weights,

measures, numbers, and lengths of time are often treated as singular.

Measures and AmountsMeasures – seven pounds, two-cupsAmounts – three hours, nine dollarsExample: Four years seems like a long time. A fraction can take a singular or plural verb, depending on whether it refers to a single part or to a number of items. Example: Five-sixths of the canvas is blank. (the fraction refers to one part of the canvas.)

Practice Problem Subjects 1. Three years (seems, seem) a short amount of

time to finish the Vietnam Memorial. 2. Two-thirds of the paintings (is, are) abstract. 3. Economics (is, are) always a concern in

designing a large project. 4. About eight months (is, are) how long it

actually took to construct the memorial. 5. The public (lines, line) up to view the wall. 6. “Heroes in Black Stone” (is, are) a song. 7. Politics (is, are) not the point of the wall. 8. A committee of sculptors and architects (is,

are) to be congratulated for choosing such a tribute.