GRAMMAR #9
SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT AND USAGE PROBLEMS
Certain words that are closely related in sentences have matching forms. Subjects and
verbs have this type of relationship; therefore, these combinations must agree
grammatically. When a word refers to one person or thing it is SINGULAR. When it
refers to more than one, it is PLURAL.
Generally, nouns ending in s are plural (brothers, girls, kids), but verbs ending in s
are singular (knows, sings, is). Do not let this confuse you. Make sure a singular
subject matches with a singular form of the verb. (Ex. –Mark is) Make sure a plural
subject matches with a plural verb. (Ex.—Teachers are)
MORE RULES
Rule
1. Subjects are never found in
prepositional phrases.
Compound prepositions between
the subject and the verb do not
affect the number of the subject.
Sample problems
One of the boys (run, runs) every day.
Mimi, together with her sisters, (take
takes) voice lessons.
2. Compound subjects (more than one sub.)
If joined by AND choose plural verbs.
Justin and Brian (walk walks) to school.
Boys and girls (ride rides) their bikes.
If joined by OR or NOR, the verb agrees
with the subject nearest the verb.
Justin or Brian (walk walks) to school.
The teacher nor the parents (want
wants) the students to fail.
3. Singular indefinite pronouns
another
each
anybody
either
anyone
everybody
anything
everyone
everything
one
neither
somebody
nobody
someone
no one
Neither of the candidates (speak speaks).
Each of the teachers (talk talks.)
Everyone on the boat (swim swims) to
safety.
Plural indefinite pronouns
both
few
many
several
Many of the fans (is are) leaving early.
Singular or plural
all
none
any
some
most
None of the prisoners (survive survives).
Some of the water (is are) polluted.
Some of the birds (sing sings).
Most of the highway (is are) damaged.
Rule
4. A few nouns in plural form, such
as (mumps, measles, news, physics,
genetics, mathematics, ethics,
politics) take singular verbs.
Sample Problems
Physics (is are) a difficult subject.
The news (is are) depressing today.
Genetics (is are) an interesting
topic.
5. Collective nouns—singular or plural.
EX: class, jury, committee, faculty,
When a collective noun refers to a
group as a single unit, use a
singular verb.
The jury was ready to announce
its decision.
When a collective noun refers to
individual members of the group,
use a plural verb.
The jury were arguing among
themselves.
6. Words of amount and time use
singular verbs.
Two hours (is are) a long time.
Four teaspoons of sugar (is are) a lot.
Two-thirds of the salad (have has)
disappeared.
7. Titles of music, art, literature, even
when plural in form, take a singular
verb.
Star Wars (show shows) special effects.
Men in Black, starring Will Smith, (is
are) funny and scary.
Great Expectations (is are)a classic novel.
Subject/Verb Agreement Exercises
Directions: For each of the following sentences, underline the subject once and
circle the correct verb to agree with the subject.
1.
The students, along with their art teacher, (is, are) going to the exhibition.
2.
The sale of DVD players (have, has) risen in the last year.
3.
Paula and Linda (enjoy, enjoys) their ballet classes.
4.
The news (was, were) particularly grim since the accident.
5.
Either Tiffany or her parents (attend, attends) these meetings every week.
6.
Neither the doctor nor the nurses (has, have) seen a similar case.
7.
Each student (has, have) the option of taking an art class.
8.
Either the clerks or their supervisor (know, knows) how to find the key.
9.
Its long legs and neck and gray-blue color (identify, identifies) the bird as a blue heron.
10. The decision of the judge (come, comes) as no surprise.
11. Five puppies, together with their champion mother, (was, were) at the dog show.
12. Assistance for the homeless (is, are) a long time coming.
13. Dark nimbus clouds in the summer sky often (foretell, foretells) a thunderstorm.
14. Fifteen pounds (is, are) a lot of weight to lose.
15. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (is, are) a children’s story.
16. Most of the people (were, was) tired of waiting for the movie to start.
17. Jacob, together with his friends, (perform, performed) hours of service for the shelter.
18. Dogs and cats (is, are) typical household pets.
19. Amanda or Alex (run, runs) out to the car.
20. Genetics (have, has) become increasingly more important in curing diseases.
21. One-half of the loaf of bread (is, are) already gone.
22. Everything in the car (melt, melts) in the summer heat.
23. Every Saturday, Greg or Patty (take, takes) the clothes to the cleaners.
24. Adam and Sara (have, has) gone to the science fair.
25. The plants in the window box (need, needs) watering.
26. Neither of you (believe, believes) us.
27. Knowledge of rules (help, helps) you use English correctly.
28. The faculty (is, are) prepared in case of an emergency.
29. Seventy dollars (is, are) a high price for sandals.
30. Romeo and Juliet (is, are) a play, a ballet, and an movie.