Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement

 

Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement rules ensure that subjects and verbs in a sentence agree in number and person. Below are the fundamental rules:

1. Singular Subject → Singular Verb

• When the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular.
• Example:
• She runs every day.
• The dog barks loudly.

2. Plural Subject → Plural Verb

• When the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural.
• Example:
• They play football.
• The children are happy.

3. Subject and Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects

• Joined by “and”: Use a plural verb.
• Example:
• John and Mary are coming.
• Joined by “or” or “nor”: The verb agrees with the nearest subject (proximity rule).
• Example:
• Either the teacher or the students are responsible.
• Neither the students nor the teacher is available.

4. Collective Nouns

• A collective noun (e.g., team, jury, family) takes a singular verb when considered as a unit but can take a plural verb if individuals are emphasized.
• Example:
• The team is winning (unit).
• The team are arguing among themselves (individuals).

5. Indefinite Pronouns

• Singular: Each, everyone, someone, anyone, nobody, etc., require singular verbs.
• Example:
• Everyone is here.
• Plural: Few, many, several, others require plural verbs.
• Example:
• Many were invited.
• Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., all, some) depend on the noun they refer to.
• Example:
• Some of the cake is missing.
• Some of the apples are missing.

6. Intervening Phrases or Clauses

• Ignore words or phrases between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with the main subject.
• Example:
• The bouquet of flowers is beautiful.
• The book, along with the notes, was on the table.

7. Titles or Proper Nouns

• Titles of books, movies, or entities take singular verbs, regardless of plural forms.
• Example:
• “War and Peace” is a classic novel.

8. With “There is” and “There are”

• The verb agrees with the subject that follows.
• Example:
• There is a problem.
• There are many problems.

9. Singular Subjects Ending in -s

• Nouns like “news,” “mathematics,” or “physics” take singular verbs.
• Example:
• The news is surprising.

10. Gerunds as Subjects

• A gerund (verb ending in -ing used as a noun) takes a singular verb.
• Example:
• Swimming is fun.

11. Amounts, Fractions, and Percentages

• Singular when they represent a whole; plural when they refer to individual parts.
• Example:
• Two-thirds of the cake is gone.
• Two-thirds of the players are ready.

12. Inverted Sentences

• Ensure the verb agrees with the subject, even when the subject follows the verb.
• Example:
• Where is the book?
• Here are the documents.

13. Use of “Not Only... But Also”

• In sentences with not only... but also, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
• Example:
• Not only the teacher but also the students were excited.
• Not only the students but also the teacher was excited.

14. “None” as a Subject

• “None” can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the context:
• Singular: Refers to “not one” or a singular entity.
• Example: None of the money is missing.
• Plural: Refers to “not any” of a group.
• Example: None of the students are present.

15. “Each” and “Every”

• When used with a subject, both “each” and “every” take a singular verb.
• Example:
• Each of the players is ready.
• Every student in the class has a book.

16. “A Number Of” vs. “The Number Of”

• A number of takes a plural verb (refers to several).
• Example: A number of students are waiting.
• The number of takes a singular verb (refers to a specific total).
• Example: The number of students is increasing.

17. Subjects That Are “One Of...”

• When the subject is “one of + plural noun,” the verb is singular.
• Example: One of the cars is parked outside.

18. Sentences Beginning with “What”

• When “what” acts as the subject, the verb agrees with the number of the subject in the clause.
• Example:
• What we need is more time.
• What were the reasons for the delay?

19. “More Than One”

• “More than one” is singular and takes a singular verb.
• Example: More than one student has passed the test.

20. Plural Forms with Singular Meaning

• Words that are plural in form but singular in meaning take singular verbs (e.g., economics, physics, news).
• Example:
• Physics is a tough subject.
• The news was shocking.

21. With Words Like “Majority,” “Plenty,” or “All”

• The verb depends on whether the noun following these words is singular or plural.
• Example:
• The majority of the work is done.
• The majority of the players are fit.

22. Relative Clauses

• When a relative pronoun (e.g., “who,” “which,” “that”) introduces a clause, the verb agrees with the antecedent.
• Example:
• She is one of those writers who inspire others.
• It is the car that needs repairs.

23. “Either” and “Neither”

• When “either” or “neither” is used alone, they take singular verbs.
• Example:
• Either of the options is acceptable.
• Neither of the answers is correct.

24. Distances, Periods of Time, and Sums of Money

• These are treated as singular and take singular verbs.
• Example:
• Ten miles is a long way.
• Five years is enough time.
• Fifty dollars is too much.

25. Expressions Starting with “There” or “Here”

• The verb agrees with the subject following “there” or “here.”
• Example:
• There is a problem with the plan.
• Here are the keys.

26. Using “One of the Things That”

• When using “one of the things that,” the verb in the relative clause is plural.
• Example:
• One of the things that make her happy is painting.

 

27. Phrases Starting with “The Only One of...”

• When the subject is “the only one of...” followed by a plural noun, the verb is singular.
• Example:
• The only one of the students who is attending the seminar is John.

28. Intervening Negative Expressions

• Negative expressions like not, no, none but, only do not affect the agreement. Focus on the subject.
• Example:
• None but the brave wins the battle.

29. With Words Like “Half Of,” “Part Of,” “A Lot Of,” “Some Of”

• The verb agrees with the noun following these expressions.
• Example:
• Half of the cake is gone.
• Half of the cookies are eaten.

30. Words Ending in “S” That Refer to a Single Entity

• Singular nouns ending in “s” (e.g., mathematics, physics, ethics) take singular verbs.
• Example:
• Ethics is an important subject.

31. “Each of” and “Every One of”

• Both expressions take singular verbs.
• Example:
• Each of the students has submitted the assignment.
• Every one of the items is on sale.

32. Plural Subjects Referring to One Thing

• When two singular nouns refer to a single entity, use a singular verb.
• Example:
• Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.

33. Relative Pronouns “Who,” “Which,” and “That”

• The verb agrees with the antecedent of the relative pronoun.
• Example:
• He is one of those people who enjoy reading.

34. Subjects Starting with “What”

• The verb agrees with the noun that follows the “what” clause.
• Example:
• What they need is a break.
• What were the reasons for his absence?

35. Using “As Well As”

• When the subject is joined by “as well as,” the verb agrees with the main subject.
• Example:
• The teacher, as well as the students, is excited.

36. Plural Names of Organizations

• Singular verbs are used when referring to organizations or entities, even if they appear plural.
• Example:
• The United Nations is an important organization.

37. Subjects with Units of Measurement

• Units of measurement take singular verbs.
• Example:
• Three liters of water is enough.

38. Subjects with “One or More”

• The verb is typically plural.
• Example:
• One or more students are late today.

39. When Fractions Are Subjects

• The verb agrees with the noun following the fraction.
• Example:
• Two-thirds of the pie is gone.
• Two-thirds of the students are present.

40. Subjects with “A Great Deal of,” “A Good Deal of”

• When these expressions refer to uncountable nouns, use singular verbs.
• Example:
• A great deal of work is pending.

41. “More Than One Kind Of”

• The verb remains singular.
• Example:
• More than one kind of bird is in the aviary.

42. Subjects with “None”

• “None” can take singular or plural verbs based on the context:
• Example:
• None of the cake is left.
• None of the students are absent.

43. Sentences with “Much” and “Many”

• “Much” takes a singular verb; “Many” takes a plural verb.
• Example:
• Much of the work is done.
• Many of the workers are late.

44. “There Was” vs. “There Were”

• Use was for singular nouns and were for plural nouns.
• Example:
• There was a loud noise.
• There were many people.

45. Use of “Some”

• When “some” refers to a singular uncountable noun, the verb is singular; for plural countable nouns, it is plural.
• Example:
• Some of the milk is spoiled.
• Some of the apples are rotten.

46. Formal Subjects Beginning with “It”

• Use singular verbs for sentences starting with “it.”
• Example:
• It is raining heavily.

47. With Plural Compound Nouns Acting as a Unit

• When plural compound nouns (e.g., “Peanut butter and jelly”) act as a single idea, use a singular verb.
• Example:
• Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite snack.

48. “Each,” “Either,” “Neither” Followed by Plural Nouns

• These words always take singular verbs.
• Example:
• Each of the boys is talented.
• Neither of the options is viable.

49. Comparisons Starting with “The...The...”

• When comparisons follow “The more...the more” structure, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
• Example:
• The more he works, the better his results are.

50. Subjects with “Many a”

• When “many a” is used, the subject is singular, and the verb must be singular.
• Example:
• Many a student has struggled with this concept.

51. “The Majority Of”

• When followed by a singular noun, use a singular verb. When followed by a plural noun, use a plural verb.
• Example:
• The majority of the work is completed.
• The majority of the students are attending the seminar.

52. With “The Number Of” vs. “A Number Of”

• The number of is singular.
• Example: The number of participants is surprising.
• A number of is plural.
• Example: A number of participants have already registered.

53. Singular and Plural Meanings of Words Like “Means”

• Words like “means” can be singular or plural depending on the context.
• Example:
• The means to success is hard work. (Singular: method)
• The means are available. (Plural: resources)

54. Subjects with “Here” or “There” and Compound Subjects

• When “here” or “there” begins a sentence, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
• Example:
• Here is the book and the pen.
• Here are the books and the pens.

55. Subjects Separated by Parentheses

• Ignore the information within parentheses when determining verb agreement.
• Example:
• The captain (along with his team) is ready.

56. Plural Nouns That Are Always Singular

• Certain plural nouns, such as “measles,” “mumps,” “news,” and “physics,” take singular verbs.
• Example:
• Physics is my favorite subject.
• The news was surprising.

57. Plural Nouns That Are Always Plural

• Words like “scissors,” “trousers,” “jeans,” and “binoculars” take plural verbs unless preceded by “a pair of.”
• Example:
• The scissors are sharp.
• A pair of scissors is missing.

58. Singular Nouns with Plural Verb

• Nouns like “police,” “cattle,” and “people” are plural and take plural verbs.
• Example:
• The police are investigating the case.
• People were happy with the decision.

59. Use of “Each,” “Every,” and “No” with Compound Subjects

• When “each,” “every,” or “no” precedes compound subjects, use a singular verb.
• Example:
• Every boy and girl is present.
• No student and teacher is late.

60. Relative Clauses Modifying Quantifiers

• The verb agrees with the subject in the relative clause.
• Example:
• One of the players who are injured is returning.

61. Subjects with “Percent” or “Percentage”

• The verb depends on the noun following “percent” or “percentage.”
• Example:
• Fifty percent of the pie is gone.
• Fifty percent of the students are present.

62. With “What” as the Subject

• The verb depends on the clause following “what.”
• Example:
• What they need is a new plan.
• What were the reasons for the delay?

63. Subjects with “Or” and “Nor”

• When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
• Example:
• Neither the teacher nor the students are prepared.
• Either the manager or his assistant is available.

64. Plural Proper Nouns and Titles

• Proper nouns and titles that end in “s” but refer to a single entity take a singular verb.
• Example:
• The United States is a large country.
• The Chronicles of Narnia is a famous book series.

65. Complex Sentences with Multiple Clauses

• Each clause must have subject-verb agreement independently.
• Example:
• The committee, which includes several experts, has made its decision, but the results are yet to be published.

66. Adjectival Phrases Acting as Subjects

• When an adjectival phrase acts as the subject, use a singular verb.
• Example:
• The unexpected is often the most thrilling.

67. With “One of Those Who”

• The verb agrees with the plural antecedent when “who” refers to a group.
• Example:
• She is one of those people who enjoy hiking.

68. Subjects Modified by Adjectives Like “Only” or “Every Other”

• These modifiers do not affect the singularity or plurality of the subject.
• Example:
• The only student who is absent is John.

69. When the Subject Is a Quotation or Clause

• Treat the entire quotation or clause as singular.
• Example:
• “To err is human” is a famous saying.

70. Specific Time Periods as Subjects

• Time periods take singular verbs when they are considered a single unit.
• Example:
• Five years is a long time to wait.

71. Idiomatic Expressions

• Idiomatic expressions take the verb form based on their grammatical subject.
• Example:
• There is no point in arguing.
• What matters is your effort.

72. Gerunds and Infinitives as Subjects

• When a gerund or infinitive phrase is the subject, it takes a singular verb.
• Example:
• Swimming is a great exercise.
• To err is human.

73. Subjects with Collective Nouns Referring to People

• When collective nouns (e.g., team, committee) refer to the group as a whole, use a singular verb. When they refer to individuals within the group, use a plural verb.
• Example:
• The team is winning (group as one entity).
• The team are arguing about the strategy (individuals).

74. Titles of Works or Singular Entities

• Titles of books, movies, or entities are singular even if they appear plural.
• Example:
• “War and Peace” is a classic novel.
• The Avengers is a popular movie.

75. Sentences with Elliptical Construction

• In elliptical sentences (where parts are omitted), the verb must still agree with the subject.
• Example:
• If he is late, so is his friend.

76. Adjectives Used as Collective Nouns

• Adjectives acting as collective nouns (e.g., “the poor,” “the elderly”) take plural verbs.
• Example:
• The rich have a responsibility to help the poor.

77. Plural Units Treated as Singular

• Units of measure, time, or quantity are treated as singular when they function as one entity.
• Example:
• Ten pounds is enough for lunch.

78. “All” as a Subject

• When “all” refers to a singular uncountable noun, use a singular verb. When it refers to a plural noun, use a plural verb.
• Example:
• All of the water is gone.
• All of the students are present.

79. Multiple Nouns Linked by “And”

• If the nouns joined by “and” refer to a single entity or idea, use a singular verb.
• Example:
• Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.

80. Correlative Conjunctions

• When correlative conjunctions (e.g., “either...or,” “neither...nor”) are used, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
• Example:
• Either the cat or the dogs are making noise.
• Neither the students nor the teacher is available.

81. With “Who,” “Whom,” and “Which”

• The verb agrees with the antecedent of the relative pronoun.
• Example:
• She is one of the girls who play soccer.

82. Compound Subjects with “Together With,” “Along With,” or “Accompanied By”

• The verb agrees with the main subject, not the additional phrase.
• Example:
• The teacher, along with the students, is in the classroom.

83. Appositive Phrases

• Appositive phrases do not affect subject-verb agreement.
• Example:
• My brother, a professional athlete, is visiting us.

84. “More” and “Most” as Subjects

• The verb agrees with the noun following “more” or “most.”
• Example:
• More of the cake is left.
• Most of the students are excited.

85. Specific Context with “None”

• “None” can be singular or plural depending on the noun it refers to.
• Example:
• None of the information is relevant.
• None of the students are absent.

86. “Such As” Phrases

• Subjects introduced by “such as” do not affect the verb agreement.
• Example:
• A subject such as physics is challenging.

87. “A Few” vs. “The Few”

• “A few” takes a plural verb. “The few” also takes a plural verb but emphasizes specific individuals.
• Example:
• A few students have completed the assignment.
• The few who applied are under review.

88. Adverbs Between Subject and Verb

• Adverbs placed between the subject and verb do not affect agreement.
• Example:
• The manager always approves the request.

89. Numerical Phrases

• Numbers representing a single unit or amount take singular verbs.
• Example:
• Ten dollars is enough for the meal.

90. “As Much As” Phrases

• When used as the subject, these phrases take singular verbs.
• Example:
• As much as I enjoy movies, this one is disappointing.

91. “Of All” Phrases

• The verb depends on the noun following “of all.”
• Example:
• One of all the books is missing.

92. Expletive Constructions

• In expletive constructions (e.g., “It is,” “There are”), the verb agrees with the true subject.
• Example:
• There are many reasons to reconsider.
• It is an honor to be here.

93. Quoted Words as Subjects

• Quoted material takes singular verbs.
• Example:
• “Honesty” is the best policy.

 

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