TOPIC: SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

CLASS VIII SESSION [2023-24]

Syntax- It is the rule of placing the verbs in agreement with the subject in number
and person.

General Rules:

Be Verb: Different forms for Subjects in Persons and Numbers:

Present Tense Past Tense

Singular Plural Singular Plural

I am We are I was We were

1st Person

You are You are You Were You were

2nd Person

He is They are He was They were

3rd Person

Have Verb: No change except for Subject in 3rd Person Singular in Present Tense

Present Tense Past Tense

Singular Plural Singular Plural

I have We have I had We had

1st Person

You have You have You had You had

2nd Person

He has They have He had They had

3rd Person
Other Verbs: No change except for Subject in 3rd Person Singular in Present Tense

Present Tense Past Tense

Singular Plural Singular Plural

I do We do I did We did
1st Person

You do You do You did You did

2nd Person

He does They do He did They did

3rd Person
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: A singular subject takes a plural verb in the subjunctive mood.
Example-If the story were true, what would it matter?

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.
Example: 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.

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.
Example: 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.
Example: The student with all the master’s degrees is very motivated.
Example: Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage classroom participation
include using small groups and clarifying expectations.
 Example: 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 or 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.
Example: The committee members or the student writes every day.

8. 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.
Example: Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.
Example: Neither alternative hypothesis was accepted.
Example: I will offer a $5 gift card to everybody who participates in the study.
Example: No one was available to meet with me at the preferred times.
`
9. Noncount nouns take a singular verb.
Example: Education is the key to success.
Example: Diabetes affects many people around the world.
Example: The information obtained from the business owners was relevant to
include in the study.
Example: The research I found on the topic was limited.

10. Some uncountable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings,
proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and take a plural verb.
Example: The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.
Example: The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless population in
the city.
Example: 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.
Example: 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.
Example: 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.
13. Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when
considered as a unit.
Examples:
Three miles is too far to walk.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
BUT

Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor. A

RELATIVE PRONOUN ALWAYS
AGREES IN NUMBER AND
PERSON WITH ITS ANTECEDENT.
A RELATIVE PRONOUN ALWAYS
AGREES IN NUMBER AND PERSON
WITH ITS ANTECEDENT.
A RELATIVE PRONOUN ALWAYS
AGREES IN NUMBER AND PERSON
WITH ITS ANTECEDENT.