SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

RULES

*prescriptive grammar

1. COLLECTIVE NOUNS1. COLLECTIVE NOUNS

singular verb

plural verb

or

Our school team has won all its games.

(the team as a whole)(the team as a whole)

CLUE

Our school team have won all their games.

(the individual team (the individual team members)members)

CLUE

2. SOME2. SOME COMMONCOMMON ANDAND PROPER NOUNSPROPER NOUNS

ending in –s, ending in –s,

includingincluding –ics nouns–ics nouns

and certain diseasesand certain diseases

singular verb

No No newsnews isis good news. good news.

MeaslesMeasles isis a contagious a contagious disease.disease.

PhysicsPhysics isis a difficult a difficult subject.subject.

3. TITLES OF 3. TITLES OF BOOKS, BOOKS, PLAYS, PLAYS, OPERAS, OPERAS, FILMS, FILMS,

AND SUCH AND SUCH WORKS – EVEN WORKS – EVEN WHEN PLURAL WHEN PLURAL IN FORMIN FORM

singular verb

TransformersTransformers isis my my favorite movie. favorite movie.

The Perfect ChristmasThe Perfect Christmas isis a good read. a good read.

4. when NOUN 4. when NOUN pairpair is present is present

singular verb

when NOUN when NOUN pairpair is absent is absent

plural verb

A pairA pair of trousers of trousers isis on on the sofa. the sofa.

Todd’s trousers Todd’s trousers areare on on the sofa.the sofa.

5. The number5. The number

singular verb

A numberA number

plural verb

The numberThe number of of students in this schoolstudents in this school isis 2,000.2,000.

A numberA number of students of students have droppedhave dropped that that course.course.

6. fractions 6. fractions percentagespercentages

singular verb

plural verb

modifying a mass noun

fractions fractions percentagespercentages

modifying a plural noun

6. fractions 6. fractions percentagespercentages

singular verb

plural verb

modifying a

collective noun

or

Fifty percent of the Fifty percent of the toxic waste toxic waste has has escapedescaped..

One half of the toxic One half of the toxic waste waste has escapedhas escaped..

Sixty-six percent of the Sixty-six percent of the students students areare satisfied satisfied with the class.with the class.

Two thirds of the Two thirds of the students students areare satisfied satisfied with the class.with the class.

One tenth of the One tenth of the population of Egypt population of Egypt isis Christian.Christian.

One tenth of the One tenth of the population of Egypt population of Egypt are are Christians.Christians.

One tenth of the One tenth of the population of Egypt population of Egypt isis Christian.Christian.

One tenth of the One tenth of the population of Egypt population of Egypt are are Christians.Christians.

7. arithmetical 7. arithmetical operationsoperations

singular verb

One plus one is two.

One plus one equals two.

Ten divided by two is five.

Ten divided by two equals five.

8. 8. Quantifiers all (of), a lot of, lots of, and plenty of

singular verb

If the subject head noun is a mass noun

If the subject head noun is pluralplural verb

A lot of A lot of nonsense was was published about that published about that incident.incident.

A lot of A lot of people were were present when it present when it happened.happened.

9. 9. Subjects joined by andand

Compound subject consisting of 2 or more nouns, pronouns, or nouns and pronouns joined by andand plural verb

Roger and Roger and Elaine agree that Elaine agree that youyou and and II areare capable of doing capable of doing the work.the work.

Subjects joined by andand

When the parts of a compound subject refer to 1 person or thing, the subject requires a singular verb – even though the parts of the subject are joined by andand.

Bacon and eggsBacon and eggs seemsseems to be the to be the most popular most popular item on the item on the breakfast menu.breakfast menu.

Subjects joined by andand

When the parts of a compound subject are joined by andand and the subject is preceded by eacheach, everyevery, or many many aa, the subject is singular and requires a singular verb.

Many aMany a man, man, woman, and woman, and child child usesuses public public transportation transportation every day.every day.

10. 10. When the parts of a compound subject are joined by oror or nornor and each parts is singular, use a singular verb that agrees in person with the subject immediately preceding the verb.

Neither the catalog nor the priceprice listlist contains an order form.

However, when a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by oror or nornor, the plural subject should immediately precede the verb and a plural verbplural verb should be used.

We do not know whether the owner or the tenantstenants areare responsible.

11. When a pronoun that may be either singular or plural is used as a subject, you must consider what you must consider what the pronoun refers tothe pronoun refers to in order to decide whether to use a singular or a plural verb with it.

Some of the information has no value to anyone.

Some of the papers have historical importance.

12. As well as, in addition to, including, together with, accompanied by, or a similar expression following a subject has no bearing on whether the subject is singular or plural. The verb The verb must agree with the subject must agree with the subject itself.itself.

The original copyoriginal copy, as well as the photocopies, requires your signature.

Several secretariesSeveral secretaries, in addition to the office manager, plan to attend the workshop.

13.13. Ignore a predicate nominative when determining the number of the verb to use with the subject of a linking verb.

Computers Computers areare a a marvel of electronic marvel of electronic

technology.technology.

subject

predicate nominative

14. When one or more 14. When one or more names are used in names are used in direct address, the direct address, the subject you is often subject you is often understood and a understood and a plural verbplural verb is required. is required.

Leo, please Leo, please givegive this envelope to this envelope to your teacher.your teacher.

14. 14. When there appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause, the true subject appears after the verb following there.

There There isis an an overdue overdue balancebalance of 455.60. of 455.60.

There There werewere several several issuesissues to be to be resolved.resolved.