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I am an English tutor, mostly to Korean students. Teaching them even the very basic English is quite a challenging task, but it's also worth it once they learn, especially if it all happens because of you. Anyway, that's one of the main motivations of a teacher.
Well, being an English tutor gave me the idea to share with you readers the knowledge I have regarding English. My desire is to impart English Grammar with you in the easiest way I can.
In this article, you will find the rules regarding the SUBJECT and VERB Agreement. Anyway, it's already obvious that you're here because of this topic. So, keep on reading. I hope you find it beneficial.
I am used to telling my students that the agreement of the subject and verb in a sentence is just like that of a relationship. Both parties need to always agree with one another in order to have a good relationship. The same with the sentences we say or write . The subject should always agree with the verb (or vise versa) in order for our sentences to be good or correct.
Here we go!
Note: The base form of the verb is considered the plural verb, while a singular verb may end in s, es or ies. (The principle being applied to this is just like changing a singular noun to its plural form.)
For Be-Verbs, is is for singular subjects, while are is for plural subjects. Am is just for the personal pronoun I. The same with their past forms.
Rule #1
The subject and the verb should always agree with one another when it comes to number. Meaning to say, if the subject is singular, the verb we need to use should also be singular. If the subject is plural, then the verb must also be plural.
Jonathan writes his homework.
The children are playing in the backyard.
Rule #2
A compound subject usually agrees with a plural verb.
Teachers and students are expected to wear their uniform.
Sarah and Karen like to eat ice cream.
Note: Both compound subjects refer to different individuals.
Rule #3
However, if a compound subject is referring to just one person, use a singular verb.
My friend and adviser is my mother.
The secretary and treasurer of the association is my neighbor.
Note: Each compound subject points to a single person.
Rule #4
A compound subject modified by each or every also takes a singular verb.
Every male and female is equal.
Each delegate and sponsor carries out an important role.
Note: Each and Every are considered singular. They are also used before singular nouns.
Rule #5
When a compound subject is joined by or, nor, either...or or neither...nor, the verb will agree with the subject nearest to it.
Neither the vocalist nor the musicians are here.
Either the congressmen or the president needs to be here on time.
Note: The first mentioned subjects have no effects on the verbs. Those nearest to the verbs do.
Rule #6
The verb agrees with the subject and not with the predicate nominative (predicate noun or subject complement).
Blue pants and plain shirt are her attire for the Christmas party.
Notebooks and pens are the main materials needed for the coming seminar.
Note: "her attire" and "the main materials" have no effects on the verb.
Rule #7
Either and neither are singular when they are not followed by or/nor.
Either of these answers is correct.
Neither of you is invited to the ball.
Note: Either/Neither of + plural nouns/pronouns. Don't say Either of this answer...
Rule #8
When regarded as a unit, a collective noun is counted as singular, therefore, it must take a singular verb.
The army fights with bravery and honor.
The choir sings gracefully.
Rule #9
However, when a collective noun is regarded as individual, it must take a plural verb.
The multitude are agitating over a dispute among themselves.
The class are clapping hands after the other.
Note: In Rule #10, the collective nouns are considered as a group. But here, they are counted as individuals in the group.
Rule #10
If preceeded by the article a, the phrase number of takes a plural verb.
A number of students are sick.
A number of flood victims need drinking water and blanket.
Note: The phrase number of is always followed by a plural noun.
Rule #11
The phrase number of, if preceeded by the article the, is counted as singular. Thus, a singular verb is also needed.
The number of books donated by the city government has arrived.
The number of athletes in the Olympic camps grows larger as days go by.
Note: The phrase number of is always followed by a plural noun.
Rule #12
The verb agrees with the affirmative subject, not with the negative.
I, not the boys next door, owns that blue bike.
Kristine and Nicole, not Jessica, are last year's singing champions.
Rule #13
Singular Indefinite Pronouns (someone, everybody, anybody, etc.) always agree with singular verbs.
Is everybody OK?
Someone admires you dearly.
Rule #14
Plural Indefinite Pronouns (many, several, few, some, etc.) require plural verbs.
Many have come to the party.
Few are expected to join the contest.
Rule #15
But if these Plural Indefinite Pronouns are used with uncountable nouns, they should take singular verbs.
Some of the jam is spoiled.
Most of his money has been spent on useless things.
Rule #16
Nouns that end in s but are singular in meaning take singular verbs.
Statistics requires good calculation skills.
The United States tops all nations in the London Olympics.
Note: Though these nouns end in s, they still refer to just one entity.
Rule #17
But there are also nouns that end in s that take plural verbs. These examples of nouns usually come in pairs.
My scissors are dull. (not scissor)
Her new pants cost a month of her mother's salary. (not pant)
Note: Nouns like scissors and pants are always considered plural. You cannot call it a scissor if it only has one sharp pair nor for a pant if it covers just one leg.
But you can still make them singular by using the quantifier a pair of.
Rule #18
An amount of money, unit of measurement or space of time agrees with a singular verb.
Two hundred dollars is enough for a week in school.
Ten miles is just an easy run for Abel Kirui.
Note: In the first sentence, you are talking about the amount of money, not the number of dollars. In the second sentence, your subject is telling about the distance, not how many miles.
Rule #19
Numbers used as subjects are mostly considered plural. However, when we want to talk about the amount itself, we need to use the singular verb.
Five hundred people have died in the stampede.
Five hundred people is too many to invite. (amount of people)
Rule #20
Singular verbs are used with mathematical operations.
Twenty times three equals sixty.
Five minus two is three.
Rule #21
Fractions can be singular or plural depending on the noun that follows the of phrase.
Two-thirds of the students pass the evaluation test.
One-half of his work is done. (He has one work and just half of it is done.)
Rule #22
Adjectives which are used as subjects are considered plural. Therefore, you must use plural verbs, too.
The old need utmost care. (the old people in general)
The poor are begging for a living. (the poor in general)
Note: However, if there's a noun that follows an adjective, the verb can be singular or plural depending on the number.
Rule #23
A Relative Pronoun used as a subject takes a verb that agrees with the noun it refers to.
Josh and James, whose parents live next door, win the tennis doubles in the region.
He, who is your brother and best friend, is such a good person.
Rule #24
The following Parenthical Expressions (together with, accompanied by, as well as, along with, etc.) have no effects on the verbs. Meaning, the verb must agree with the main subject.
Sheila, along with her classmates, has come to school late.
The singers, accompanied by their manager, arrive in the plaza just in time for the main event.
Rule #25
A prepositional phrase that separates the subject from the verb has nothing to do with the agreement.
The study of monkeys is interesting.
Many of her toys are donated to the orphans.
Rule #26
No can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun that follows it.
No answer is correct.
No answers are correct.
Rule #27
There is/There are (The verb comes after there in statements.) The verb agrees on the noun that follows it.
There is an actor coming to the province.
There are children in the meeting.
Rule #28
None is singular, but in SPOKEN ENGLISH, if it is followed by a plural noun or pronoun, use a plural verb.
None of my friends have a car.
None of the packages belong to me.
But it is better to use a singular verb in WRITTEN ENGLISH.
None of my friends has a car.
None of the packages belongs to me.
(But for me, I always consider none as singular. None, meaning to say, not even one. So, it must agree with a singular verb.)
Rule #29
Uncountable nouns always take singular verbs.
Air is important for us.
Water quenches thirst.
If you find something wrong in this article, please feel free to inform me. I will appreciate every correction, addition or suggestion.
Note: The base form of the verb is considered the plural verb, while a singular verb may end in s, es or ies. (The principle being applied to this is just like changing a singular noun to its plural form.)
For Be-Verbs, is is for singular subjects, while are is for plural subjects. Am is just for the personal pronoun I. The same with their past forms.
The children are playing in the backyard.
Rule #2
A compound subject usually agrees with a plural verb.
Teachers and students are expected to wear their uniform.
Sarah and Karen like to eat ice cream.
Note: Both compound subjects refer to different individuals.
Rule #3
However, if a compound subject is referring to just one person, use a singular verb.
My friend and adviser is my mother.
The secretary and treasurer of the association is my neighbor.
Note: Each compound subject points to a single person.
Rule #4
A compound subject modified by each or every also takes a singular verb.
Every male and female is equal.
Each delegate and sponsor carries out an important role.
Note: Each and Every are considered singular. They are also used before singular nouns.
Rule #5
When a compound subject is joined by or, nor, either...or or neither...nor, the verb will agree with the subject nearest to it.
Neither the vocalist nor the musicians are here.
Either the congressmen or the president needs to be here on time.
Note: The first mentioned subjects have no effects on the verbs. Those nearest to the verbs do.
Rule #6
The verb agrees with the subject and not with the predicate nominative (predicate noun or subject complement).
Blue pants and plain shirt are her attire for the Christmas party.
Notebooks and pens are the main materials needed for the coming seminar.
Note: "her attire" and "the main materials" have no effects on the verb.
Rule #7
Either and neither are singular when they are not followed by or/nor.
Either of these answers is correct.
Neither of you is invited to the ball.
Note: Either/Neither of + plural nouns/pronouns. Don't say Either of this answer...
Rule #8
When regarded as a unit, a collective noun is counted as singular, therefore, it must take a singular verb.
The army fights with bravery and honor.
The choir sings gracefully.
Rule #9
However, when a collective noun is regarded as individual, it must take a plural verb.
The multitude are agitating over a dispute among themselves.
The class are clapping hands after the other.
Note: In Rule #10, the collective nouns are considered as a group. But here, they are counted as individuals in the group.
Rule #10
If preceeded by the article a, the phrase number of takes a plural verb.
If preceeded by the article a, the phrase number of takes a plural verb.
A number of students are sick.
A number of flood victims need drinking water and blanket.
Note: The phrase number of is always followed by a plural noun.
Rule #11
The phrase number of, if preceeded by the article the, is counted as singular. Thus, a singular verb is also needed.
The number of books donated by the city government has arrived.
The number of athletes in the Olympic camps grows larger as days go by.
Note: The phrase number of is always followed by a plural noun.
Rule #12
The verb agrees with the affirmative subject, not with the negative.
I, not the boys next door, owns that blue bike.
Kristine and Nicole, not Jessica, are last year's singing champions.
Rule #13
Singular Indefinite Pronouns (someone, everybody, anybody, etc.) always agree with singular verbs.
Is everybody OK?
Someone admires you dearly.
Rule #14
Plural Indefinite Pronouns (many, several, few, some, etc.) require plural verbs.
Many have come to the party.
Few are expected to join the contest.
Rule #15
But if these Plural Indefinite Pronouns are used with uncountable nouns, they should take singular verbs.
Some of the jam is spoiled.
Most of his money has been spent on useless things.
Rule #16
Nouns that end in s but are singular in meaning take singular verbs.
Statistics requires good calculation skills.
The United States tops all nations in the London Olympics.
Note: Though these nouns end in s, they still refer to just one entity.
Rule #17
But there are also nouns that end in s that take plural verbs. These examples of nouns usually come in pairs.
My scissors are dull. (not scissor)
Her new pants cost a month of her mother's salary. (not pant)
Note: Nouns like scissors and pants are always considered plural. You cannot call it a scissor if it only has one sharp pair nor for a pant if it covers just one leg.
But you can still make them singular by using the quantifier a pair of.
Rule #18
An amount of money, unit of measurement or space of time agrees with a singular verb.
Two hundred dollars is enough for a week in school.
Ten miles is just an easy run for Abel Kirui.
Note: In the first sentence, you are talking about the amount of money, not the number of dollars. In the second sentence, your subject is telling about the distance, not how many miles.
Rule #19
Numbers used as subjects are mostly considered plural. However, when we want to talk about the amount itself, we need to use the singular verb.
Five hundred people have died in the stampede.
Five hundred people is too many to invite. (amount of people)
Rule #20
Singular verbs are used with mathematical operations.
Twenty times three equals sixty.
Five minus two is three.
Rule #21
Fractions can be singular or plural depending on the noun that follows the of phrase.
Two-thirds of the students pass the evaluation test.
One-half of his work is done. (He has one work and just half of it is done.)
Rule #22
Adjectives which are used as subjects are considered plural. Therefore, you must use plural verbs, too.
The old need utmost care. (the old people in general)
The poor are begging for a living. (the poor in general)
Note: However, if there's a noun that follows an adjective, the verb can be singular or plural depending on the number.
Rule #23
A Relative Pronoun used as a subject takes a verb that agrees with the noun it refers to.
Josh and James, whose parents live next door, win the tennis doubles in the region.
He, who is your brother and best friend, is such a good person.
Rule #24
The following Parenthical Expressions (together with, accompanied by, as well as, along with, etc.) have no effects on the verbs. Meaning, the verb must agree with the main subject.
Sheila, along with her classmates, has come to school late.
The singers, accompanied by their manager, arrive in the plaza just in time for the main event.
Rule #25
A prepositional phrase that separates the subject from the verb has nothing to do with the agreement.
The study of monkeys is interesting.
Many of her toys are donated to the orphans.
Rule #26
No can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun that follows it.
No answer is correct.
No answers are correct.
Rule #27
There is/There are (The verb comes after there in statements.) The verb agrees on the noun that follows it.
There is an actor coming to the province.
There are children in the meeting.
Rule #28
None is singular, but in SPOKEN ENGLISH, if it is followed by a plural noun or pronoun, use a plural verb.
None of my friends have a car.
None of the packages belong to me.
But it is better to use a singular verb in WRITTEN ENGLISH.
None of my friends has a car.
None of the packages belongs to me.
(But for me, I always consider none as singular. None, meaning to say, not even one. So, it must agree with a singular verb.)
Rule #29
Uncountable nouns always take singular verbs.
Air is important for us.
Water quenches thirst.
If you find something wrong in this article, please feel free to inform me. I will appreciate every correction, addition or suggestion.
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