Bicol University

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
College of Education
Introduction:
Daraga, Albay
Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule, which states that the subject
and the verb must agree in a sentence. The subject normally refers to the
noun or pronoun that tells us whom or what the sentence is about. A verb
normally has a singular and plural form in the present tense. The third person
singular of the verb usually ends in ‘s’. Some auxiliary verbs also have
singular and plural forms in the present tense. ‘Be’ has singular and plural
Self-Learning Kit on: forms in the past tense as well as the present tense. Other verbs that also
change their forms in both the singular and plural. Below is a table showing
SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT some examples:

AUXILIARY VERB SINGULAR PLURAL

(Rules no. 9, 10, 11, and 12) Be(present) Is are
Be(past ) Was were
Do Does do
Have Has have
The verbs ‘be’, ‘do’ and ‘have’ can also be used as main verbs as in the
Prepared by: following:

MAIN VERB AUXILIARY VERB

BSED 3N1 2013-2014
I am happy. I am going to town.
I have a new pair of shoes. I have finished my work.
I did my work in the morning. I did try my best
General Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to:
Examples:
1. To understand how various subjects agree with their verbs in English,
Both are expected to pass the test.
2. To construct grammatical sentences in relation to subject-verb
agreement. Some are coming with us.

Many have signified their intention to join us.

Specific Objectives:

1. To identify the sentences which are grammatically correct or incorrect.

DRILL
2. To choose the acceptable form of the verb in the sentences that will be
given. Directions: Write C if the sentence is correct. If it is wrong, write the correct
form of the verb.

1. Both my sisters walks me to school.

2. Many have been invited to my party.

3. Few has come and attended.

4. Many is called, but few are chosen.

5. Several participants are worried about the presentation.

6. Some of my classmates expects for a great outcome.

7. Few drawings has her signature.

8. Several artists looks very friendly.

Rule 9: When used as subjects; indefinite pronouns like both,
few, some, many and several take plural verbs. 9. Both speakers have correct idea.
10. Several have asked for an explanation
EVAUATION
Directions: Choose the acceptable form of the verb within the parenthesis.
1. Several (is, are) joining the school play.
2. Few of the gifts (was, were) left unopened.
3. Several of the artists (has, have) submitted paintings.
4. Many who paint (is, are) talented.
5. All of the women on the panel (was, were) given equal time to speak.
6. All of the contestants (was, were) carefully chosen from the class.
7. Few of my classmates (was, were) prepared for the surprise quiz.
8. Some of the cookies on the table (was, were) eaten.
9. Several workers (was, were) satisfied with their pay raises.
10. Many of the citizens (has, have) already paid their taxes.
Rule 10: When singular subject is in the third person and
expressed in the present tense, the verb ends either in s or –es
whichever is applicable (if verb is not is).
Examples:
Annica sings like a nightingale.
Florida rocks the stage every time that there’s a dance competition.
Sharmaine blushes when jobert is coming.
Mary Rose wears an extraordinary dress every Wednesday.
DRILL
Directions: Write C if the sentence is correct. If it is wrong, write the correct
form of the verb.
1. Nierva wipe her tears away.
2. Gibo catches the morning bus.
3. Mabell study the map carefully.
4. Carlota appears on the stage like a blooming rose.
5. Kimberly walk slowly towards the dean’s office.
6. Cecil hurry to the back of the bus.
7. Chennee prays every night.
8. Allan Clyde practice playing the piano every Saturday.
9. Edwin is the only person who will be going to the hill.
10. Maya play basketball every Sunday.
EVALUATION
Directions: Choose the acceptable form of the verb within the parenthesis.
Rule 11: When used as subjects, collective noun such as class,
team, committee, mob, crowd, faculty, board, audience, group,
staff, take singular verbs when considered as a unit; but when
the members of the unit are thought of separately and
individually, the collective nouns take plural verbs.
Other collective nouns:

1. John (write, writes) on his diary every night. company family nation
army regiment herd
2. Bob (watch, watches) this movie every Christmas. team flock jury
class audience battalion
3. Jorge (read, reads) newspaper every day.
school troop squadron
4. Mr. Johnson (work, works) in the same place for thirty-five years,
Examples:
5. Jenny (has, have) the answer to our problems
a. Our basketball team wins every game.
6. Prof. Lim (has, have) a new lesson for us today

7. John (talk, talks) to her mother with courtesy. (One member of a basketball team cannot win the game alone so “team”
here is regarded as a single unit.
8. Bong (clean, cleans) the paintbrushes after the lesson The members achieve victory as a group.)

9. Allan (watch, watches) the players get ready for the contest.
b. The school choir performs very well.
10. Robert (pick out, picks out) a new set of costumes for the play.
A choir is made up of singers. However, it is not just one singer that performs
very well, it is the whole choir that does.
c. The committee are arguing about who is best to lead them next year. 7. The audience shows their support in different manner.

8. The school make its stand regarding the controversial issue.

(In the sentence, each member of the committee is regarded since each has
his own view that he argues with another member in the committee. Also, an 9. The jury have disagreed on the matter.
argument cannot take place with just one participant.)
10. The team is leaving for Bangkok to compete in the tennis tilt.
d. The cast of the play practice their lines every afternoon at the school.

(In most plays, there are many different characters who have their own lines.
Therefore, every person in the cast is regarded since each has his own lines EVALUATION
to practice.)
Directions: Choose the acceptable form of the verb within the parenthesis.

1. Our club (intend, intends) to attend as a body.

DRILL: 2. The class (is, are) silent.

Directions: Write C if the sentence is correct. If it is wrong, write the correct 3. The team (practice, practices) everyday.
form of the verb. 4. The jury (is, are) arguing about the result.
1. The committee has given out several options for the continuance of the 5. The crowd (is, are) restive.
project.
6. The company (revise, revises) its policies from time to time.
2. The school’s choir perform very delightfully.
7. The audience (was, were) allowed to join their respective groups.
3. Our team was victorious.
8. The mob (was, were) seen running to different directions.
4. The whole family have recently gone to province.
9. The crowd (was, were) throwing all kinds of hard objects during the rally.
5. The squad are loyal to its leader.
10. The class (is, are) taking their lunch.
6. The company prepares different plans.
Rule 12: When used as subjects, nouns denoted in pairs, such as 4. The scissors I bought is very sharp.
pliers, trousers, tongs, scissors, spectacles and tweezers require 5. The pair of shoes that you are borrowing are on the cabinet.
plural verbs, they have no singular form.
6. His pliers is equipped with a sharp edge for cutting wire.
Examples:
7. Only one pair of jeans are clean.
The tongs are hot.
8. One pair of scissors is not enough for the whole class.
My pliers were lost
9. A good pair of pliers are handy for repairing a bicycle.
Note: When pair is used as the subject denoting the same objects under
this rule, the verb should be singular. 10. A pairs of scissors are sufficient for a small class.

Examples:
EVALUATION
The pair of tongs was borrowed.
Directions: Choose the acceptable form of the verb within the parenthesis.
The pair of pliers was lost.
1. That pair of glasses (doesn’t, don’t) suit you.

2. A good pair of sunglasses (is, are) essential for lifeguards.

DRILL
3. A pair of pants (is, are) in the drawer.

Directions: Write C if the sentence is correct. If it is wrong, write the correct 4. These scissors (is, are) very dull.
form of the verb.
5. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.
1. The tongs I borrowed from you are very hot.
6. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?
2. The pliers needs lubrication.
7. The pajamas (is, are) on the laundry house.
3. The pants are expensive.
8. Your glasses (was, were) on the bureau last night.

9. A pair of jeans (was, were) in the washing machine this morning.

10. The tongs (is, are) placed inside the pantry.

References:

http://wikieducator.org/Subject_Verbs_Agreement