GE IER Module 3

Lesson 3 Subject – Verb Agreement
“The VERB must agree with

the SUBJECT in NUMBER and
in PERSON.”
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, learners would be able to:
1. explain the rules in subject – verb agreement; and

2. apply the rules in subject – verb agreement in writing and in correcting
sentences.
LET US TRY
Define the following words:
Subject
Verb
Agreement
GE – Intensive English Review 1

Information Buzz:
Subject – Verb Agreement Rules
(Key: SUBJECT – yellow, bold; VERB – green, underline)
Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

1. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular too.
Example : She writes every day.
Exception : When using the singular “they”, use plural verb forms.
Example : The participants expressed satisfaction with their job. They are currently
in a managerial role at the organization.
2. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Example : They write every day.
Sometimes, however, it seems a bit more complicated than this.
3. When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns
connected by and, use a plural verb.
Example : 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 job within 2 years are reflective of the level of
job satisfaction.
4. When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the
sentence must agree with the subject.
Example : 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.
5. 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.
Example : The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.
: The students with all the master’s degrees are 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.

6. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by “or” or “nor”,
use a singular verb.
Example : The chairperson of the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.
7. 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.
Example : The student or the committee members write every day.
: The committee members or the student writes every day.

8. The words and phrases “each”, “each one”, “either”, “neither”, “everyone”,
“everybody”, “anyone”, “anybody”, “nobody”, “someone”, “somebody”, and “no
one” are singular and require a singular verb.
Example : 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.
9. Non-count nouns take a singular verb.
Example : 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.
10. Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds, surrounding,
proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and take a plural verb.
Example : 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.
11. 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.
Example : There is little administrative support.
: There are many factors affecting teacher retention.
12. 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”.
Example : The group meets every week.
: The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.
However, the plural verb is used if the focus is on the individuals in the group. This is much less common.
Example : The committee participate in various volunteer activities in their private
lives.

LET US MEASURE
Task 1
Choose and encircle the correct form of verb that agrees with the subject.
1. Annie and her brothers ( is, are ) at school.
2. Either my mother or my father ( is, are ) coming to the meeting.
3. The dog or the cats ( is, are ) outside.
4. Either my shoes or your coat ( is, are ) always on the floor.
5. George and Tamara ( doesn’t, don’t ) want to see that movie.
6. Benito ( doesn’t, don’t ) know the answer.
7. One of my sisters ( is, are ) going on a trip to France.
8. The man with all the birds ( live, lives ) on my street.
9. The movie, including all the previews ( take, takes ) about two hours to watch.
10. The players, as well as the captain, ( want, wants ) to win.
11. Either answer ( is, are ) acceptable.
12. Every one of those books ( is, are ) fiction.
13. Nobody ( know, knows) the trouble I’ve seen.
14. ( Is, Are ) the news on at five or six?
15. Mathematics ( is, are ) John’s favorite subject, while Civics ( is, are ) Andrea’s favorite
subject.

16. Eight dollars ( is, are ) the price of a movie these days.
17. ( Is, Are ) the tweezers in this drawer?
18. Your pants ( is, are ) at the cleaner’s.
19. There ( was, were ) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there ( is, are ) only one left!
20. The committee ( debates, debate ) these questions carefully.
Key to Answers
Assess student’s understanding, use this rubric:
Score Range Description
The student has mastered necessary information needed for the preceding lessons. He / she
86 – 100 Outstanding
was able to understand the concepts related to the nature of language.
The student has understood the topic. There are some areas that the student needs to focus
76 – 85 Average
on and consult with the teacher for mastery.
The student has understood some minor parts of the lesson. There is a need to deepen his /
5 – 75 Poor
he understanding about the topic. Further conduct of assessment is recommended.
The student has little to no understanding about the topic. Remedial interventions should be
0 – 49 For remedial
enforced to aid student learning.
REFERENCES
Internet
https://www.academia.edu/28414296/Intensive_English_Curriculum_Proposal
https://www.academia.edu/9397472/%20English_Intensive_Class_Abreviation_and_Acronymachttps://ww
w.academia.edu/1681644/Intensive_English_Online

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Lesson 3 Subject – Verb Agreement

“The VERB must agree with

At the end of this module, learners would be able to:

1. explain the rules in subject – verb agreement; and

Define the following words:

GE – Intensive English Review 1

Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

: The percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of

: An assumption is something that is generally accepted as true and is an

: Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage classroom participation

: The focus of the interviews was nine purposively selected participants.

GE – Intensive English Review 2

: The committee members or the student writes every day.

GE – Intensive English Review 3

1. Annie and her brothers ( is, are ) at school.

2. Either my mother or my father ( is, are ) coming to the meeting.

3. The dog or the cats ( is, are ) outside.

4. Either my shoes or your coat ( is, are ) always on the floor.

5. George and Tamara ( doesn’t, don’t ) want to see that movie.

6. Benito ( doesn’t, don’t ) know the answer.

7. One of my sisters ( is, are ) going on a trip to France.

8. The man with all the birds ( live, lives ) on my street.

10. The players, as well as the captain, ( want, wants ) to win.

11. Either answer ( is, are ) acceptable.

12. Every one of those books ( is, are ) fiction.

13. Nobody ( know, knows) the trouble I’ve seen.

14. ( Is, Are ) the news on at five or six?

GE – Intensive English Review 4

17. ( Is, Are ) the tweezers in this drawer?

18. Your pants ( is, are ) at the cleaner’s.

20. The committee ( debates, debate ) these questions carefully.

Score Range Description

GE – Intensive English Review 5

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