SUBJECT- VERB AGREEMENT The verb agrees in number with its subject 1.

Match the verb with its subject, not with the object of a preposition or with some other word that comes between the subject & the verb The use of reference books is necessary for learning a language. Our teacher, in addition to other staff members, has often taught foreign students.
2.

Subjects joined by and are usually plural Our teacher and our coach are in the library. If the two subjects refer to the same person or thing, or if each or every comes before the subjects, the verb is singular Our teacher and coach is Mr. Perez Each teacher and each student has been invited to a reception. Every pen and pencil has been donated to the class

3.

When the subject follows the verb (as in sentences beginning with there is or there are), special care is needed to match the subject and verb There is a student in the directors office. There are several students in the directors office.

4.

Singular subjects joined by or, nor, either or, neither nor, usually take a singular verb Neither the principal nor the teacher was told about my plan. If one subject is singular & one plural, match the verb with the subject nearer the verb, or revise the sentence to avoid the agreement difference Neither the principal nor the teachers were told about my plan. The principal was not told about my plan, and neither were the teachers.

5. Gerunds or uncountable nouns used as subjects require singular verbs Mastering verb forms and tenses is difficult for students. 6. In general, use a singular verb with collective nouns regarded as a unit, with nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning, and with single titles or words referred to as words The number of students in our school increases every year. A number of the students are going to fly home for the holidays. Nouns like news, economics, and electronics take singular verbs, even though they end in s.

Electronics has produced a booming industry in the Country. Single titles, even when plural, are considered singular, as are words referred to as words. The Dolphins is the name chosen for our swim team. 7. The verb agrees with the subject, not the subject complement, but it is usually best to avoid disagreement of the verb and subject complement by revising the sentence to eliminate the linking verb. One of our favorite scenes is parents and children having fun together. We love to see parents and children having fun together.
8.

Pronoun subjects like each, one, anybody, everybody, either, and neither usually take singular verbs. Each of our exposures to other cultures is interesting. Pronoun subjects like all, any, half, most, none, and some usually take plural verbs, but in certain contexts they take singular verbs. All of the students are attending a party. All of their attention is focused on the festivities. number of a relative pronoun (who, which, that) used as a subject of a clause is determined by the number of its antecedent. Several students who are there are enjoying the western music.

9.

10. The

Each dish that is presented is new to most of the students. A pronoun agrees in number with its antecedent
11. In

writing, use a singular pronoun to refer to such antecedents as each, everyone, nobody, one, a person, a woman, or a man. Each of the boys has his favorite activity.

To avoid sexist language, many writers use both masculine & feminine pronoun references. Each of the students explained his/her preference.
12.

Use a plural pronoun to refer to such antecendents as all, most, half, none, and some, except when the noun in the phrase is uncountable All of the students did their best. Some of them finished their papers early. a plural pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined by and, and a singular pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined by or or nor Ann & Jessa have submitted their assignments. Neither Ann nor Jessa knows her grade yet, however. either a singular or a plural pronoun to refer to a collective noun like team, committee, or group, depending on whether the noun is considered a unit or a group of individuals. The committee is considering its project for this team. The committee are not in agreement about their

13. Use

14. Use

Priorities.