Rules On Subject-Verb Agreement Basic Rule

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SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

You might think that subject-verb agreement would be simple. However, it can get
quite tricky depending on the complexity of the sentence. Before diving headfirst into
the rules, it's good to have a little explanation. The subject and verb within a sentence
need to agree with each other in number for a sentence to make sense.

For example, if you use the plural subject they, you would use the plural are in the
sentence, "They are fun." Additionally, if you use the singular she, you would use the
singular is in the sentence, "She is fun." It wouldn't make sense to say "They is fun" or
"She are fun" because those subjects and verbs don't agree.

RULES ON SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

BASIC RULE:
 Subjects and verbs must agree in number. Only the subject affects the verb!
Nothing else matters.
 A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines),
whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.
EXAMPLES:
1. The dog growls when he is angry.
2. The dogs growl when they are angry.

Rule 1: When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or
pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb.
Examples: 
 The doctoral student and the committee members write every day.
 The percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of
employees who left their jobs within 2 years are reflective of the level of
job satisfaction.

Rule 2: When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the
sentence must agree with the subject.
Examples: 
 Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain an
in-depth understanding of participants.
 An assumption is something that is generally accepted as true and is an
important consideration when conducting a doctoral study.
Rule 3: When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the
verb still agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the phrase
following the subject of the sentence.
Examples: 
 The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.
 The student with all the master’s degrees is very motivated.
 Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage classroom
participation include using small groups and clarifying expectations.
 The focus of the interviews was nine purposively selected participants.

Rule 4: When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by "or" or "nor,"
use a singular verb.
Example: 
 The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.

Rule 5: When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or
pronoun joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the part of the
subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity.
Examples: 
 The student or the committee members write every day.
 The committee members or the student writes every day.

Rule 6: The words and phrases "each," "each one," "either," "neither," "everyone,"
"everybody," "anyone," "anybody," "nobody," "somebody," "someone," and "no
one" are singular and require a singular verb.
Examples: 
 Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.
 Neither alternative hypothesis was accepted.
 I will offer a $5 gift card to everybody who participates in the study.
 No one was available to meet with me at the preferred times.

Rule 7: Noncount nouns take a singular verb.


Examples: 
 Education is the key to success.
 Diabetes affects many people around the world.
 The information obtained from the business owners was relevant to
include in the study.
 The research I found on the topic was limited.
Rule 8: Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds,
surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and
take a plural verb.
Examples: 
 The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.
 The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless population in the
city.
 Locally produced goods have the advantage of shorter supply chains.

Rule 9: In sentences beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the
verb. Since "there" is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows the
verb.
Examples:
 There is little administrative support.
 There are many factors affecting teacher retention.

Rule 10: Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are
considered singular and take a singular verb. Some examples are "group,"
"team," "committee," "family," and "class."
Examples: 
 The group meets every week.
 The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.

https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/subjectverb
agreement
SENTENCE COMPLETION
Complete the following sentences with a verb inside the parenthesis that agrees with
the subject.

1. A number of students (is, are) _________ absent today.


2. The girls (is, are) __________ dancing merrily.
3. In hot weather, milk (turn, turns) ____________ sour fast.
4. The list of eligible students (has, have) ___________ been published.
5. The news (is, are) __________ false.
6. The earth (rotate, rotates) ______________ on its own axis.
7. Gulliver’s Travels (is, are) ___________ an interesting novel.
8. The boy (was, were) _____________ actually waiting for school to reopen.
9. Neither the principal nor the teachers (was, were) __________ able to give a
satisfactory explanation.
10. Neither the headmaster nor the teacher (is, are) __________ responsible
for this.

IDENTIFYING ERRORS IN SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT


Analyze the agreement of the subject and the verb in each sentence. Underline the
word/ phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. If there is no error
in the sentence, underline “No error”.

1. My favorite history professor, as well as some of his administrative staff, were


asked to resign. No error
2. Stephanie claims that she wants to attend college after graduation. No error
3. Her poor attitude about studying during senior year do not indicate that she
enjoys being a student. No error
4. The overall safety of the town have improved drastically since he was hired. No
error
5. A pair of supportive shoes are important if you are experiencing lower back
pain. No error
6. The paralegal believed that there were an overload of cases in the office creating
stress. No error
7. Rebecca's preference for caviar and expensive chocolates are not a reflection of
what she actually enjoys. No error
8. It is simply a manifestation of her tendency to spend money carelessly. No
error
9. The benefits of aromatherapy includes reduced stress, increased release of
seratonin, and developing a more acute sense of smell. No error
10. Densely populated cities and severe pollution is correlated to lower
life expectancies and higher rates of birth defects. No error

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