AGREEMENT OF SUBJECT WITH PREDICATE
1. The indefinite words each, every, everyone, someone,
nobody, no one takes singular verbs.
2. Collective nouns such as class, jury, team, etc. take a
singular or plural verb depending on whether the group
is thought of as a whole or as individuals.
Example:
The class has prepared a report. (Class thought of as a
whole)
The class do not agree on the report. (Class thoughts of
as individuals)
3. Nouns ending in s but singular in meaning, such as,
news, politics, physics, economics, etc. take singular
verbs.
Example:
Physics is my favorite subject.
4. The expression ‘a number’ takes a plural verb; the
expression ‘the number’ takes a singular verb.
Example:
A number of students are absent.
The number of students absent is very small.
5. An amount of money, space of time, or unit of a
measurement takes a singular verb even when the form
is plural.
Example:
Ten pesos is not much
Two weeks’ vacation was all he wanted.
Three yards of materials is enough for a dress.
6. Fraction are singular or plural depending upon the “of
phrase.”
Example:
One half of the apple is rotten.
One half of the apples are rotten.
7. Words intervening between subject and verb do not
affect the verb.
Example:
The mother, with all her children, is here.
8. The words some, a few, many, takes plural verbs
Example:
A few are invited to join the picnic.
9. The expression there is, is followed by a singular
complement; the expression, there are, is followed by a
plural complement.
Example:
There is no answer to that question.
There are no answers to those questions.
10. Compound subjects connected by and take a plural verb
unless the subjects mean the same thing or person, or
are closely associated in meaning. If different persons
are meant, a plural verb is used.
Example:
Maria and Juan are here.
Bread and butter is wholesome food. (Closely
associated in meaning)
My classmate and friend is here. (same person)
My friend and my classmate are here (different persons)
11. Compound subjects connected by either-or, neither-nor
take a singular verb if the subjects are singular; they
take plural verb if the subjects are plural; if the subjects
are different in number, the verb agrees with the nearer
member of the compound.
Example:
Either the girl or the boy is going. (singular object)
Either the girls or the boys are going. (plural subjects)
Neither the girls nor the boy is going. (verb agrees with
the nearer member of the compound)
Neither I nor you are going. (verb agrees with the
nearer member of the compound)
12. The verb agrees with the subject, not the predicate
word.
Example:
My objection is the many dangers to be encountered.
13. Adjectives used as nouns are considered plural.
Example:
The poor are to be helped.
14. In the use of arithmetical expressions, the following
rules are accepted:
Six plus six is twelve.
Six and six are twelve.
One fourth of twelve is three
Five times two are ten
Five minus two is three.
15. It used to introduce a sentence is always followed by a
singular verb
Example:
It is the schools which must assume the responsibility.
It is a fundamental law of the human nature.
16. When the subject is a title, the name of a book, a clause,
a quotation or a group of words expressing a single
idea, the verb is singular.
Example:
To die is to rest is a statement of doubtful value.
“Trees” is the title of the poem.
“Song without words” is a well knowns musical piece.
Michael Andrew L. Salinas