Subject Verb Rules Sept

Subject-Verb Agreement
NOTE
We will use the standard of underlining subjects once and verbs twice.
Being able to find the right subject and verb will help you correct errors of subject-verb
agreement.
Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a
plural subject takes a plural verb.
Example: The list of items is/are on the desk.
If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.
Rule 1. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. This is a key rule for understanding
subjects. The word of is the culprit in many, perhaps most, subject-verb mistakes.
Hasty writers, speakers, readers, and listeners might miss the all-too-common mistake in the
following sentence:
Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and fragrance to the room.
Correct: A bouquet of yellow roses lends . . . (bouquet lends, not roses lend)
Rule 2. Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb.
Examples:
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.
Rule 3. The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun
closest to it.
Examples:
Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.
This rule can lead to bumps in the road. For example, if I is one of two (or more) subjects, it
could lead to this odd sentence:
Awkward: Neither she, my friends, nor I am going to the festival.
If possible, it's best to reword such grammatically correct but awkward sentences.
Better:
Neither she, I, nor my friends are going to the festival.
OR
She, my friends, and I are not going to the festival.
Rule 4. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected
by and.
Example: A car and a bike are my means of transportation.
But note these exceptions:
Exceptions:
Breaking and entering is against the law.
The bed and breakfast was charming.
In those sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are compound nouns.
Rule 5a. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as along with, as well
as, besides, not, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the subject. Ignore them and use a
singular verb when the subject is singular.
Examples:
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.
Rule 5b. Parentheses are not part of the subject.
Example: Joe (and his trusty mutt) was always welcome.
If this seems awkward, try rewriting the sentence.
Rule 6. In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.
Examples:
There are four hurdles to jump.
There is a high hurdle to jump.
Here are the keys.
NOTE:
The word there's, a contraction of there is, leads to bad habits in informal sentences like There's
a lot of people here today, because it's easier to say "there's" than "there are." Take care never
to use there's with a plural subject.
Rule 7. Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when
considered as a unit.
Examples:
Three miles is too far to walk.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
BUT
Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.
Rule 8. With words that indicate portions—e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all—Rule 1 given earlier
in this section is reversed, and we are guided by the noun after of. If the noun after of is singular,
use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
Examples:
A lot of the pie has disappeared.

A lot of the pies have disappeared.
A third of the city is unemployed.
A third of the people are unemployed.
All of the pie is gone.
All of the pies are gone.
Some of the pie is missing.
Some of the pies are missing.
NOTE
In recent years, the SAT testing service has considered none to be strictly singular. However,
according to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage: "Clearly none has been both
singular and plural since Old English and still is. The notion that it is singular only is a myth of
unknown origin that appears to have arisen in the 19th century. If in context it seems like a
singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable
beyond serious criticism." When none is clearly intended to mean "not one," it is followed by a
singular verb.
Rule 9. With collective nouns such as group, jury, family, audience, population, the verb might be
singular or plural, depending on the writer's intent.
Examples:
All of my family has arrived OR have arrived.
Most of the jury is here OR are here.
A third of the population was not in favor OR were not in favor of the bill.
NOTE
Anyone who uses a plural verb with a collective noun must take care to be accurate—and also
consistent. It must not be done carelessly. The following is the sort of flawed sentence one sees
and hears a lot these days:
The staff is deciding how they want to vote.
Careful speakers and writers would avoid assigning the singular is and the plural they to staff in
the same sentence.
Consistent: The staff are deciding how they want to vote.
Rewriting such sentences is recommended whenever possible. The preceding sentence would
read even better as:
The staff members are deciding how they want to vote.
Rule 10. The word were replaces was in sentences that express a wish or are contrary to fact:
Example: If Joe were here, you'd be sorry.
Shouldn't Joe be followed by was, not were, given that Joe is singular? But Joe isn't actually here,
so we say were, not was. The sentence demonstrates the subjunctive mood, which is used to
express things that are hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually contradictory. The
subjunctive mood pairs singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs.
Examples:
I wish it were Friday.
She requested that he raise his hand.

In the first example, a wishful statement, not a fact, is being expressed; therefore, were, which
we usually think of as a plural verb, is used with the singular it. (Technically, it is the singular
subject of the object clause in the subjunctive mood: it were Friday.)
Normally, he raise would sound terrible to us. However, in the second example, where a request
is being expressed, the subjunctive mood is correct.
Note: The subjunctive mood is losing ground in spoken English but should still be used in formal
speech and writing.
Quiz
Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz 1
1. For each of the following, choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree.
A) Every one of the shirts has a green collar.
B) Every one of the shirts have a green collar.
2.
A) This singer, along with a few others, play the harmonica on stage.
B) This singer, along with a few others, plays the harmonica on stage.
3.
A) Sandals and towels are essential gear for a trip to the beach.
B) Sandals and towels is essential gear for a trip to the beach.
4.
A) The president or the vice president are speaking today.
B) The president or the vice president is speaking today.
5.
A) Either Cassie or Marie pays the employees this afternoon.
B) Either Cassie or Marie pay the employees this afternoon.
6.
A) Either the sculpture or the paintings are in the museum today.
B) Either the sculpture or the paintings is in the museum today.
7.
A) The coat or the hats are in that closet.
B) The coat or the hats is in that closet.
8.
A) Neither she nor I is getting the lunch special.
B) Neither she nor I am getting the lunch special.
C) Neither she nor I are getting the lunch special.
9.
A) Each of the dancers twirls brilliantly.
B) Each of the dancers twirl brilliantly.
10.
A) Mustard greens are my favorite vegetable.
B) Mustard greens is my favorite vegetable.
11.
A) Everybody at the party was enjoying the food.
B) Everybody at the party were enjoying the food.
Answer key
Quiz Results
Correct Answer: A Every one of the shirts has a green collar.
Explanation: The pronoun one is singular and requires singular verbs. Do not be misled by the
object of the preposition.
Your Answer: Not Answered
2.
Correct Answer: B This singer, along with a few others, plays the harmonica on stage.
Explanation: Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as
well as, besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or
plural verb.
3.
Correct Answer: A Sandals and towels are essential gear for a trip to the beach.
Explanation: two subjects connected by and require a plural verb.
4.
Correct Answer: B The president or the vice president is speaking today.
Explanation: two singular subjects connected by or require a singular verb.
5.
Correct Answer: A Either Cassie or Marie pays the employees this afternoon.
Explanation: two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular
verb.
6.
Correct Answer: A Either the sculpture or the paintings are in the museum today.
Explanation: when a singular and plural subject are connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor,
the verb agrees with the subject closer to it.
7.
Correct Answer: A The coat or the hats are in that closet.
Explanation: see Explanation 6.
8.
Correct Answer: B Neither she nor I am getting the lunch special.

Explanation: see Explanation 6. In this case, the verb must agree with the subject pronoun "I."
9.
Correct Answer: A Each of the dancers twirls brilliantly.
Explanation: The pronoun each is singular and requires singular verbs. Do not be misled by the
object of the preposition.
10.
Correct Answer: A Mustard greens are my favorite vegetable.
Explanation: the subject, “Mustard greens," is plural and requires the plural verb “are.”
11.
Correct Answer: A Everybody at the party was enjoying the food.

Explanation: the pronoun everybody is singular and requires singular verbs.
Part ii
A) More than half of the basketball court is used for volleyball practice.
B) More than half of the basketball court are used for volleyball practice..
2.
A) Some of the potatoes is salted.
B) Some of the potatoes are salted.
3.
A) Either of the classic cars is for sale.
B) Either of the classic cars are for sale.
4.
A) A limousine and driver is in the driveway.
B) A limousine and driver are in the driveway.
5.
A) Neither my radio nor my television is working.
B) Neither my radio nor my television are working.
6.
A) Six dollars is too much to pay for a gumdrop.
B) Six dollars are too much to pay for a gumdrop.
7.
A) The weather in the Western states are cold sometimes..
B) The weather in the Western states is cold sometimes.
8.
A) The water polo team have won the state championship for the second time.
B) The water polo team has won the state championship for the second time.
9.
A) That skier is one of those who compete nationally.
B) That skier is one of those who competes nationally.
10.
A) There have to be some people left who care about English.
B) There has to be some people left who care about English.
11.
A) A number of suggestions was made.
B) A number of suggestions were made.
Quiz Results
Correct Answer: A More than half of the basketball court is used for volleyball practice.
Explanation: With certain words that indicate portions—some, most, all, and so forth—look at
the object of the preposition to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object
of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a
plural verb.
2.
Correct Answer: B Some of the potatoes are salted.
Explanation: see Explanation 1.
3.
Correct Answer: A Either of the classic cars is for sale.

Explanation: when either or neither is the subject, use a singular verb.
4.
Correct Answer: B A limousine and driver are in the driveway.
Explanation: two subjects connected by and require a plural verb.
5.
Correct Answer: A Neither my radio nor my television is working.
Explanation: two subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular verb.
6.
Correct Answer: A Six dollars is too much to pay for a gumdrop.

Explanation: singular verbs are usually used with specific amounts of money.
7.
Correct Answer: B The weather in the Western states is cold sometimes.
Explanation: use a singular verb with the singular subject “weather.”
8.
Correct Answer: B The water polo team has won the state championship for the second time.
Explanation: collective nouns such as team may be either singular or plural depending on their
use in the sentence; “team” is used as a single unit here.
9.
Correct Answer: A That skier is one of those who compete nationally.
Explanation: in this sentence, the pronoun “who” refers to the plural “those,” not to “one.”
10.
Correct Answer: A There have to be some people left who care about English.
Explanation: the verb must agree with the plural noun “people.”
11.
Correct Answer: B A number of suggestions were made.
Explanation: the phrase the number is followed by a singular verb while the phrase a number is
followed by a plural verb.
Source: grammarbook.com
20 Rules of Subject Verb Agreement
Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com
While grammar is not as static a science as is typically assumed, there are 20 rules of subject
verb agreement that attempt to objectify part of the English language form. Most of the
concepts of subject verb agreement are straightforward, yet some aspects of singular and plural
usage in English grammar are more complicated.
Consider the second person plural pronoun "y'all" as it's used in the southern American dialect,
for example. Addressing a group of people in the second person using standard English is
inefficient and requires more words.A sentence like "I want to talk to all of you sitting at the
table" in standard English can be accomplished quite simply in southern American dialect with
the sentence "I want to talk to y'all."Consequently, the 20 rules of subject verb agreement will
vary somewhat by dialect.
What Are the Rules?
1. Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms the
background of the concept. In these examples the subject is underlined and the verb is in italics
The dog growls when he is angry. The dogs growl when they are angry.
2. Don’t get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb; they do not affect
agreement.
The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.
3. Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb usually do not affect agreement.
The colors of the rainbow are beautiful.
4. When sentences start with “there” or “here,” the subject will always be placed after the verb,
so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.
There is a problem with the balance sheet. Here are the papers you requested.
5. Subjects don't always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately identify the
subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use.
Where are the pieces of this puzzle?
6. If two subjects are joined by "and," they typically require a plural verb form.
The cow and the pig are jumping over the moon.
7. The verb is singular if the two subjects separated by "and" refer to the same person or thing.
Red beans and rice is my mom's favorite dish.
8. If one of the words "each," "every," or "no" comes before the subject, the verb is singular.
No smoking or drinking is allowed. Every man and woman is required to check in.
9. If the subjects are both singular and are connected by the words "or," "nor," "neither/nor,"
"either/or," and "not only/but also" the verb is singular.
Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident.
10. The only time when the object of the preposition factors into the decision of plural or
singular verb forms is when noun and pronoun subjects like "some," "half," "none," "more," or
"all" are followed by a prepositional phrase. In these sentences, the object of the preposition
determines the form of the verb.
All of the chicken is gone. All of the chickens are gone.
11. The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement or time.
Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.
12. If the subjects are both plural and are connected by the words "or," "nor," "neither/nor,"
"either/or," and "not only/but also" the verb is plural.
Dogs and cats are both available at the pound.
13. If one subject is singular and one plural and the words are connected by the words "or,"
"nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," and "not only/but also", you use the verb form of the subject
that is nearest the verb.
Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the zoo. Neither the lion nor the bears have
escaped from the zoo.
14. Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs. *
Everybody wants to be loved.
15. * Except for the pronouns "few," "many," "several," "both," "all," and "some" that always
take the plural form.
Few were left alive after the flood.
16. If two infinitives are separated by "and" they take the plural form of the verb.
To walk and to chew gum require great skill.
17. When gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence, they take the singular form of the verb;
but, when they are linked by "and," they take the plural form.
Standing in the water was a bad idea. Swimming in the ocean and playing drums are my hobbies.
18. Collective nouns like "herd," "senate," "class," and "crowd," usually take a singular verb form.
The herd is stampeding.
19. Titles of books, movies, novels, etc. are treated as singular and take a singular verb.
The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.
20. Final Rule – Remember, only the subject affects the verb!
Challenges of Grammar Rules
The problem with some grammar rules, from the perspective of modern linguistics, is that there
is not one absolute grammar rule in the English language. Most American native-English
speakers equate standard English with being correct and any non-standard variation of English
with being incorrect.
In reality, however, the concept of standard American English is really the privileging of a
particular dialect of English that originates from the Ohio River Valley. This is the dialect of
English that the anchors of the nightly news speak and that we base our notions of correct and
incorrect grammar on. It is important to recognize that no grammar usage is any more correct or
incorrect than any other on a functional level, and our notions of correct and incorrect are
culturally constructed.
Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com
What Are Basic English Grammar Rules?
There are hundreds of grammar rules but the basics refer to sentence structure and parts of
speech, which are noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition and conjunction. Let’s
look at the way sentences are put together and the words that form them.
Basic English Grammar Rules
Some of the most basic and important English grammar rules relate directly to sentence
structure. These rules specify that:
A singular subject needs a singular predicate.
A sentence needs to express a complete thought

Another term for a sentence is an independent clause:
Clauses, like any sentence, have a subject and predicate too. If a group of words does not have a
subject and predicate, it is a phrase.
If a clause can stand alone and make a complete thought, then it is independent and can be
called a sentence.
If clauses do not express a complete thought, they are called dependent clauses. An example of
a dependent clause, which is not a sentence, is “when I finish my work.” A dependent clause
needs an independent clause to make it whole.
So, what are the other basic rules for sentence structure?
Subjects and Predicates
Basic to any language is the sentence, which expresses a complete thought and consists of a
subject and a predicate.
The subject is the star of the sentence; the person, animal, or thing that is the focus of it.
The predicate will tell the action that the subject is taking or tell something about the subject.
Basic Parts of Speech
Once you have a general idea of the basic grammar rules for sentence structure, it is also helpful
to learn about the parts of speech:
A noun names a person, animal, place, thing, quality, idea, activity, or feeling. A noun can be
singular, plural, or possessive.
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun, like “I”, “you”, or “they.”
A verb shows action and can be a main verb or a helping verb, like “were” or “has.” Verbs also
indicate tense and sometimes change their form to show past, present, or future tense. Linking
verbs link the subject to the rest of the sentence and examples are: “appear” and “seem.”
An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun. It adds meaning by telling which one, what kind, or
describing it in other ways.
An adverb will modify a verb and tell more about it, like how much, when, where, why, or how.
A preposition shows a relationship between nouns or pronouns. It is often used with a noun to
show location, like “beside,” “in,” or “on”. It can also show time, direction, motion, manner,
reason, or possession.
Conjunctions connect two words, phrases, or clauses. Common conjunctions are “and”, “but”,
and “or.”
Mention needs to be made about other types of words that are considered by some to be parts
of speech.
One of them is the interjection. It shows emotion and examples are “hurray”, “uh-oh”, and
“alas.”
Articles are very useful little words. Indefinite articles are “a” and “an” and “the” is a definite
article.
So, now you have some basic grammar rules under your belt you'll be well on your way to
becoming a grammar expert. For a little fun, try out your new-found knowledge in our quick quiz
Could You Pass a Basic English Grammar Test?
Punctuation
To fully understand basic grammar rules, you also need to look at punctuation rules.
Capitalization is important. All sentences must start with a capital, or upper-case, letter. Titles of
people, books, magazines, movies, specific places, etc. are capitalized. Organizations and
compass points are capitalized.
Every sentence needs a punctuation mark at the end of it. These include a period, exclamation
mark, or question mark.
Colons are used to separate a sentence from a list of items, to introduce a long, direct quote, or
between two sentences (or clauses) when the second one explains the first.
Semicolons can take the place of a conjunction and are placed before introductory words like
“therefore” or “however.” They are also used to separate a list of things if there are commas
within each unit.
There are a lot of rules for commas. The basic ones are that commas separate things in a series
and go wherever there is a pause in the sentence. They surround the name of a person being
addressed, separate the day of the month from the year in a date, and separate a town from the
state.
Parentheses enclose things that clarify or numbers and letters that are part of a list.
Apostrophes are used in contractions to take the place of one or more letters and also to show
possession. An apostrophe and “s” is added if the noun is singular and an apostrophe alone is
added if the noun is plural.
Source: www.grammar.yourdictionary.com

Subject Verb Rules Sept

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Subject-Verb Agreement

Example: The list of items is/are on the desk.

My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.

Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.

Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.

Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.

Awkward: Neither she, my friends, nor I am going to the festival.

Neither she, I, nor my friends are going to the festival.

She, my friends, and I are not going to the festival.

But note these exceptions:

Breaking and entering is against the law.

The bed and breakfast was charming.

The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.

Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

Rule 5b. Parentheses are not part of the subject.

Example: Joe (and his trusty mutt) was always welcome.

If this seems awkward, try rewriting the sentence.

There are four hurdles to jump.

There is a high hurdle to jump.

Here are the keys.

Three miles is too far to walk.

Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.

Ten dollars is a high price to pay.

Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.

A lot of the pie has disappeared.

A third of the city is unemployed.

A third of the people are unemployed.

All of the pie is gone.

All of the pies are gone.

Some of the pie is missing.

Some of the pies are missing.

All of my family has arrived OR have arrived.

Most of the jury is here OR are here.

The staff is deciding how they want to vote.

Consistent: The staff are deciding how they want to vote.

The staff members are deciding how they want to vote.

Example: If Joe were here, you'd be sorry.

I wish it were Friday.

She requested that he raise his hand.

Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz 1

A) Every one of the shirts has a green collar.

B) Every one of the shirts have a green collar.

B) Sandals and towels is essential gear for a trip to the beach.

B) The president or the vice president is speaking today.

A) Either Cassie or Marie pays the employees this afternoon.

B) Either Cassie or Marie pay the employees this afternoon.

Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz 1

A) Either the sculpture or the paintings are in the museum today.

B) Either the sculpture or the paintings is in the museum today.

A) The coat or the hats are in that closet.

B) The coat or the hats is in that closet.

A) Neither she nor I is getting the lunch special.

B) Neither she nor I am getting the lunch special.

C) Neither she nor I are getting the lunch special.

B) Each of the dancers twirl brilliantly.

A) Mustard greens are my favorite vegetable.

B) Mustard greens is my favorite vegetable.

A) Everybody at the party was enjoying the food.

B) Everybody at the party were enjoying the food.

Correct Answer: A Every one of the shirts has a green collar.

Your Answer: Not Answered

Your Answer: Not Answered

Explanation: two subjects connected by and require a plural verb.