Subject-Verb Agreement Cheat Sheet
1. A singular subject takes a singular verb.
2. A plural subject takes a plural verb.
3. When a phrase or clause interrupts the subject and the verb, it does
not affect the verb.
4. When who, which, or that acts as a subject of a subordinate clause, its
verb will be singular or plural depending on the number of the
antecedent.
5. Two singular subjects joined by or or nor must have a singular verb.
6. Two or more plural subjects joined by or or nor must have a plural
verb.
7. If one or more singular subjects are joined to one or more plural
subjects by or or nor, the subject closest to the verb determines
agreement.
8. A compound subject joined by and is general plural and must have a
plural verb.
9. A collective noun (which names a group; think “team” or “family”)
takes a singular verb when the group is acting as one, not
individually.
10.
A collective noun takes a plural verb when each member of the
group acts individually.
11.
Fractions (plenty, majority, remainder, rest, abundance, portion)
can be singular or plural depending on the prepositional phrase that
modifies them.
12.
When money or time has a plural subject, but indicates a single
amount, the verb is singular. When individual units are considered,
the verb must be plural.
13.
If a number is the subject, the verb is plural. If the number is the
subject, the verb is singular.
14.
The following words are usually considered plural and require a
plural verb: scissors, pincers, pliers, trousers, clothes, overalls, glasses,
trumps, statistics, athletics, gymnastics, thanks, wages, alms, riches,
proceeds, oats, ashes, plastics, and goods.