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Rules On Subject - Verb Agreement Made Simple

This document provides rules for subject-verb agreement in English grammar. It outlines 15 rules such as singular subjects taking singular verbs and plural subjects taking plural verbs. Exceptions and special cases are also discussed, such as how collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether they are thought of as a unit or individuals. The rules cover subjects joined by conjunctions, indefinite pronouns, expletive constructions, and nouns ending in s among other constructions.

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Allan Cuajao Labad
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250 views2 pages

Rules On Subject - Verb Agreement Made Simple

This document provides rules for subject-verb agreement in English grammar. It outlines 15 rules such as singular subjects taking singular verbs and plural subjects taking plural verbs. Exceptions and special cases are also discussed, such as how collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether they are thought of as a unit or individuals. The rules cover subjects joined by conjunctions, indefinite pronouns, expletive constructions, and nouns ending in s among other constructions.

Uploaded by

Allan Cuajao Labad
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GRAMMAR IN FOCUS : SUBJECT/ VERB AGREEMENT One basic principle applies to this lesson: VERB MUST AGREE WITH

ITS SUBJECT IN NUMBER. Rule 1 - A singular subject takes a singular verb. Example: He was very talkative at the meeting. Rule 2 - A plural subject takes a plural verb. Example: They were very talkative at the meeting. Rule 3 - When subjects are joined by AND or BOTH/AND, the verb is plural, whethe r the subject is singular, plural or a combination of singular and plural. Example: Jack and Jill are on the hill. Both the chairs and table in Pinky s room are pai nted pink. Exception: When two subjects are joined by AND refer to only one person, o r the same thing, the verb is singular. Example: The owner and manager of Monterey Farms reports at 7 :00 a.m. daily. Rule 4 - When the subject consists of two or more singular nouns or pronouns con nected by OR, or NOR, use a singular verb. Example: Is Jenny or James joining the game? Neither Jenny nor James is joining the game. Rule 5 - When one of the two subjects connected by OR, NOR or BUT is singular an d the other is plural, the verb agrees in number with the nearer one. Example: Neither Celia nor her lawyers were there. Neither her lawyers nor Celia was there. Rule 6 - The agreement of verb with its subject is not changed by any interrupti ng words such as, together with, as well as, in addition to, including the, alon g with, etc. Example: The captain, together with seven of his men, was captured by the terrorists. Rule 7 - When the word EVERY or EACH comes before a compound subject whose parts are joined by AND, a singular verb is called for since each subject is consider ed separately. Example: Each student and a teacher is required a flowerpot. Rule 8 - A verb must agree in number with an indefinite pronoun used as a subjec t. Singular: anybody either neither somebody anyone everyone nobody no one each everybody someone Plural : both few many several Examples: Everyone in the room is a member of the debating club. Many were late during the transport strike. Rule 9 - When a sentence is introduced by the expletive There or the adverb Here , the verb agrees with the following subject. Example: Here is your money. There are no other methods suggested. Rule 10 - The subject and the verb of inverted sentence must agree in number Example: At the end of that winding road are two bamboo bridges. Rule 11 - A collective noun subject requires a singular verb that is thought of as a unit, it requires a plural verb when it is thought of as individuals. Example: The committee is planning to hire a band. The committee are unable to agree on the kind of band t o hire. Rule 12 - When the sentence is introduced by the phrase The number, it requires a singular verb. Example: The number of dropouts has decreased. Rule l3 - When the sentence is introduced by the phrase A number, it requires a plural verb.

Example: A number of candidates are coming to school. Rule 14 - Unit of measurement or weight usually requires a singular verb. Example: Twenty pesos is more than enough for a day s allowance. Rule 15 - Certain subject/nouns ending in S, plural in form but singular in mean ing, needs singular verbs such as: Mathematics, physics, gymnastics, economics, politics, geriatrics, statistics, politics, etc. Example: To some, politics is a way of life. Rule 16 - Use plural verb with such noun as shears, scissors, pants, trouser, pl iers, etc. Example: His pants are too short for him.

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