SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
WE USE THE SINGULAR VERB WHEN:
1. Two nouns refer to the same person/ thing
2. The singular subject is joined with words using
expressions like with, as well as, together with
3. Expressions such as each, every, one of,
someone, anything, anybody, either, neither are
used.
4. The subject refers to uncountable and abstract
nouns.
5. The subject shows a fixed amount considered as
a whole
6. The subject is the name of one thing, such as
the name of a book or a movie.
SPECIAL CASES:
7. Some collective nouns such as “assembly, jury,
committee, audience” can be singular or plural.
If they are thought of as a whole, then use a
singular verb.
If they are thought of as being made up of a
number of people, use a plural verb.
8. When we use expressions such as or, not,
either….or, neither….nor, the verb should agree
with the subject nearest to it.
EXAMPLES:
• The manager and owner of this restaurant
is my friend
• The fish and chips sold here is extremely
delicious
• Slow and steady wins the race
• Hudzaifah as well as Ikhwan, was away on
holiday
• Syahmi together with his brothers, jogs
here every evening
• Either of the sisters is telling a lie.
• Each student is required to bring an egg
for the Science project
• One of the boys has been missing since
yesterday
• Prevention is better than cure
• The air was stale and musty
• One hundred miles is a long way to walk.
• The fifty ringgit you gave me has already
been spent
• The Twilight Eclipse is a very exciting
movie.
• The United States attracts a lot of tourists
every year
• Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secret is
the most popular book in the world.
EXAMPLES:
• The jury is made of people from all walks
of life. (as a whole)
• The jury are still deciding on the verdict of
the case. (Individual)
•
•
Either she or you are expected to chair this
meeting
Neither the boys nor Zakiy is coming to the
practice today.