11 COMMANDMENTS

IN SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT

ROVA
Definition of Terms
Subject-
the word/s that name the topic of the
sentence.
the word/s that the sentence is about.
Verb-
the word that states the action or state of the
subject.

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

The appropriate pairing of subject and
verb based on whether the subject and
verb are plural or singular.
 How to check Subject Verb
Agreement
1.Identify the verb (action or state of
being word)
2.Identify the subject ( who or what
the sentence is about)
3.Check whether the subject is
singular or plural or special.
4.Based on your findings about the
subject, make sure the verb fits.
Number the form a word takes to
indicate whether the word is singular or
plural.
A word that refers to one person,
place, thing, or idea is
singular in number.
A word that refers to more than one is
plural in number.
Generally, nouns ending in s are
plural (friends, girls), but verbs ending in
s are generally singular (sees, hears).
Rule 1 Principle Rule
A verb should agree in number with
its subject.
Singular subjects take singular
verbs.
Ex)
1. He washes the dishes.
[The singular verb washes agrees with
the singular subject He.]
2. A girl in my neighborhood plays
in the band.
[The singular subject girl takes the
singular verb plays.] #rule1#S-V-A
Plural subjects take
plural verbs.
Ex)
1. They wash the
dishes.
2. Several girls in my
neighbourhood play in
the band.
#rule1#SVA
Rule 2
The following indefinite pronouns are
singular:
anybody, anyone, anything, each,
either, everybody, everyone,
everything, neither, nobody, no one,
nothing, one, somebody, someone,
and something
Ex)
1. Each of the athletes runs
effortlessly.
2. Neither of the women is ready to
start. #rule2#SVA
3. Someone was waving a large flag.
The following indefinite pronouns
are plural:
both, few, many, and several
Ex)
1. Were both of the games
postponed?
2. Few that I know of have
qualified.
3.Several of the runners are
exercising.
#rule2#SVA
Rule 3
The following indefinite pronouns may
be singular or plural, depending on
their meaning in a sentence:
all, any, more, most, none, and
some
Ex)
1. Some of the test is hard.
[Some refers to the singular noun test.]
2. Some of the questions are easy.
[Some refers to the plural noun questions.]
3. All of the exhibit is open to the
public.
#rule3#SVA
4. All of the paintings are on display.
Rule 4
Subjects joined by and generally take a
plural verb.
1. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg
make movies.[Two persons make movies.]
2. Rhyme, rhythm, and imagery help poets
express their feelings. [Three things help.]

Compound subjects that name only one

person, place, thing, or idea take a singular
verb.
1. My pen pal and best friend is my cousin.
[One person is my best friend and pen pal.]
2. Broccoli and melted cheese makes a
tasty dish. #rule4#SVA
Rule 5
Singular subjects joined by or or nor take
a singular verb. Plural subjects joined by
or or nor take a plural verb.
1. After dinner, either Anne or Tony
loads the dishwasher. [Anne loads the
dishwasher or Tony loads the dishwasher.]
2. Neither the coach nor the principal
is happy with the teams performance.
[Neither one is happy.]
3. Either the boys or their sisters take
the garbage out.
4. Neither the dogs nor the cats come
when we call them. #rule5#SVA
Rule 6
When a singular subject and a plural
subject are joined by or or nor, the
verb agrees with the subject nearer
the verb.
Ex)
1.Neither the children nor their
mother was ready for the trip.
2. Neither the mother nor her
children were ready for the trip.
#rule6#SVA
Rule 7
A collective noun may be either
singular or plural, depending on
its meaning in a sentence.
A collective noun is a noun
that names a group of persons
or things.
Examples:
army, assembly, audience,
class, club, committee, family,
#rule7#SVA
fleet, flock, group, herd, jury,
Use a plural verb with a collective
noun when the noun refers to the
individual parts or members of the
group.
Use a singular verb when the noun
refers to the group as a unit.
Ex)
1.The class have completed their
projects. [Class is thought of as
individuals.]
2.The class has elected its officers.
#rule7#SVA
[Class is thought of as a unit.]
Rule 8
A fraction or a percentage is
singular when it refers to a
singular word and plural when it
refers to a plural word. Ex)
1. Three fourths of the pizza is
gone.
2. Of these songs, three fourths
are new. #rule8#SVA
Rule 9
Some nouns that are plural in
form take singular verbs.
Ex)
1. Politics is a controversial
subject.
2. The news of the nominee was
a surprise.
3. Rickets is a serious health
problem in some countries
#rule9#SVA
Rule 10
Some nouns that end in s take a
plural verb even when they refer to
a single item.
Ex)
1. The scissors need to be
sharpened.
2. Were these pants on sale?
3. The Olympics are on television.

#rule10#SVA
Rule 11
Even when plural in form, the title of a
creative work (such as a book, song, film,
or painting), the name of an organization,
or the name of a country or city generally
takes a singular verb.
Ex)
1. The Souls of Black Folk is often cited
as a classic of African American literature.
[one book]
2. Greensleeves is an old English folk
song. [one piece of music]
3. The United Nations was founded in
1945. [one organization] #rule11#SVA
4. White Plains is home to several
Classroom Practice
1. Mumps (is, are) are common childhood disease that
causes swelling in glands in the neck.
2. Politics (is, are) always a popular subject both to debate
and to study at college.
3. Not one of the ushers (know, knows) where the lounge is.
4. The team (is, are) on a winning streak.
5. Carol, as well as Ins, (write, writes) a weekly column for
the East High Record.
6. Beauty and the Beast (is, are) a folk tale that exists in
many different cultures.
7. Ten pounds (is, are) to much weight for a young child to
carry in a backpack.
8. It is difficult to concentrate when there (is, are) radios and
stereos blasting away.
9. (Has, Have) either of you read the book or seen the movie
version of To Kill a Mockingbird?
10. In most situation comedies, there (is, are) a very wise
character, a very foolish character, and a very lovable
character