Subject Verb Agreement
Subject Verb Agreement
- Learn Basic Forms:
Subjects\Verbs | V1/5 | is/am/are | has/have | was/were |
I | V1 | am | have | was |
He/She/It/Singular Subject | V5 | is | has | was |
We/You/They/Plural Subjects | V1 | are | Have | were |
- SENA: Somebody/ Someone/ Everybody/ Everyone/ Nobody/ No one/ Anybody/ Anyone
- Use singular verbs
- ‘There’ takes both singular and plural verbs depending on the noun that is followed:
There is a cat. (singular)
There are cats. (plural) - Modal auxiliaries always take V1:
He can
He can play.
verbs | For modal auxiliaries |
Is/am/are | Be |
V1/5 | V1 |
Has/ have | Have |
V2 | Have + v3 |
Was/ were | Have been |
He was absent. (must)
He must have been absent
- And
– if two different terms are joined with ‘and’ = plural
– if two different terms are meant for single purpose, joined with ‘and’ = singular
– if two nouns refers to same person, joined with ‘and’ = singular
= A teacher and dancer is performing.
– if two nouns refers to two people, joined with ‘and’ = plural
= A teacher and a dancer are performing. - If two subjects are joined by: (we use verb with second subjects (S2))
– either ___(S1)____ or ___(S2)_____
– neither ___(S1)____ nor ___(S2)_____
– whether ___(S1)____ or ___(S2)_____
we use verb with second subjects (S2)
#Note: use plural subjects always as S2 (second subjects) - If two subjects are joined by: (we use verb with second subjects (S1))
– with, together with, along with, accompanied by, including - Collective nouns take either singular or plural verbs depending on the concept of singularity or group
- Plural – Looking Singular Nouns:
news, politics, physics, economics, politics, ethics, linguistics, measles, summons, diabetes - Adjoining pairs (Plural):
scissors, trousers, spectacles, pliers, binoculars, shorts, jeans, headphones, tongs
Note: but if they are written with ‘a pair of’ they take singular verbs. - Some uncommon singular and plural nouns:
Singular | Plural |
Policeman | Police |
Man | Men |
Woman | Women |
Child | Children |
Person | People |
Foot | Feet |
Tooth | Teeth |
Mouse | Mice |
Ox | Oxen |
Cactus | Cacti |
Fungus | Fungi |
Phenomenon | phenomena |
- Each and Every makes the noun singular even if they are joined by ‘and’: (Check unit 3 grammar section)
- Collective nouns that take singular or plural verbs (context based):
team, family, government, committee, group, staff, public, class, audience, jury, council, crew, company, choir, army
- Number / Distance / Currency à takes singular
One hour is
Two hours is/ are
- Name of the books/ movies/ countries/ organizations à they take singular verbs
- Extra:
- Either of/ Neither of/ Each of/ One of + plural Noun à takes singular verbs
- Many a/ More than one à takes singular. (though they refer to more than one)
- The number of takes singular verb – The number of cases is
- A number of takes plural verb – A number of students have passed.
- Note: don’t get confused plural verbs as plural nouns’ generalization. For plural nouns end with s/es suffixes and singular verbs end with s/es suffixes in verb forms
cats – plural noun
eats – singular verb
(Third person singulars take singular verbs; Third person plurals take plural verbs) Don’t over generalize this rule in first and second person pronouns.
A. Read these examples
- Neither she nor I am
- I am not sure whether you or he has created the trouble.
- Either the students or their English teacher is responsible for the misinformation.
- Neither boiling of water with the express purpose of destroying bacteria and other parasites nor?
B. Rewrite the following sentences with the correct form of the verbs in the brackets.
- The invitation is for one person. I don’t mind whether you or she (come) to the party.
- Neither the MPs nor the Prime Minister (have) felt regret for the party split.
- I don’t care whether he or she (win) the lottery.
- Either the Kantipur or the Republica (be) used for the advertisement.
- She speaks in a strange accent. Neither I nor my sister (understand) her.
- I forgot whether the singers or the actress (be) given the Film Fair Award last year.
- Neither the tracksuit nor the pajamas (fit) me perfectly.
- Neither the gas fire nor the electric heaters (be) suitable for room heating.
- Each of the scientists_______ working on a separate project. (are/ is/ have/ were)
- A number of issues ______ been raised during the meeting. (has/ have/ was/ had)
- By the end of the day, the workers ______ completed their task. (will/ will have/ have/ would)
- If either of the men _____ found guilty, he will be fined.
- The list of items ______ to be submitted before noon. (has/ have)
- Neither the news nor the updates _____ reached us. (has/ have/ was/ were)
- The teacher and the principal _____ discussed the new syllabus together. (has/ have/ is/ was)
- If the police _____ informed earlier, the incident might have been avoided. (was/ were/ has been/ is)
- The media _____ often biased in its reporting. (is/ are/ has/ have)
- Bread and butter ___ what he eats for breakfast. (are/ is/ have/ were)
- One of the reasons why students fail _____ lack of guidance. (is/ are/ were/ have been)
- The books, as well as the pen, ____ missing from his bag. (is/ are/ has been/ was)
C. These passages contains the agreement errors. Correct the subjects or verbs that don’t agree with each other. Remember to use present tense in your corrections. (the passage is broken down into sentences to practice correction)
Within the state of Arizona, Rob, along with his family, move frequently, from city to city.
After his arrival, one of his first tasks are to find an apartment close to work as he do not have a car.
Usually, there is many different places to choose from, and he consider cost, location, and luxury.
If one apartment has a washing machine and dryer and cost four hundred dollars a month, he prefer to rent it over another apartment which have significantly less rent located two blocks from a Laundromat.
Rob’s family never wants to live in an apartment on the thirteenth floor since all of them fears heights.
He also try to choose an apartment with landlords recommended by former tenants.
Everybody know that it is important to find a responsible landlord. Rob and his wife loves to cook together when both is free, so he need a spacious, well-equipped kitchen. Rob often also look for a place with an air conditioner because there is so many scorching days and nights in Arizona.
Whenever Rob find a new apartment, all of his concerns disappears.
He feel relieved and call his mother.
Someone understands!
# For Practice:
Every weekday, Emma wake up at 6 a.m. and check her phone for messages. Her alarm and her reminders often goes off at the same time, which make her mornings a bit chaotic. Either her brother or her parents drives her to school, depending on who are available. Her dog, along with two cats, always follow her around the house and waits by the door.
Emma usually brush her teeth, wash her face, and eat breakfast before getting dressed. There is always a bowl of fruit and toast on the table, but she sometimes skip them if she feel rushed. One of her favorite things about the morning are listening to music while she get ready. Neither the noise nor the sunlight bother her much.
Her clothes for school is usually laid out the night before, but sometimes her choices changes at the last minute. Emma and her best friend walks to school together when the weather are nice. Everybody in her neighbourhood wave at them as they pass by. By the time she arrive at school, her mind and her backpack feels full.
Emma believe a good morning make the rest of the day better. This belief, along with her routines, help her stay focused and positive throughout the day.
# For Practice:
On Saturdays, Sarina and her cousins goes to the local farmers’ market that open near their neighbourhood. The market, along with its colourful stalls and friendly vendors, make the trip exciting. Each of the vendors sell different items, and some of them offers free samples to customers.
There is a variety of fruits and vegetables that comes directly from nearby farms. Sarina, who love to cook, often pick fresh herbs and organic produce. Neither the noise from the crowd nor the long lines bother her or her cousins, who always enjoys their visit.
One of Sarina’s favorite parts of the market are the bakery stand that sell warm bread and pastries. The smells from that stall fills the entire area and makes everyone feels hungry. The family usually buy some snacks and sit by the fountain, which add a peaceful moment to their outing.
Sometimes, one of her younger cousins forget to bring a reusable bag, and the vendors have to gives them a plastic one. Sarina and her family believes in supporting local farmers, so they never miss a chance to visit the market. Everything about the experience — the sights, the smells, the sounds — make them feel connected to their community.
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