Subject-verb agreement

(concord)
NIT WARANGAL
 RULES
1. An amount, quantity or number thought of as a whole
takes a singular verb.
Examples:
Six years is a long time.
The number of students on the course is less
than last year.
2. With fractions, percentages and indefinite quantifiers(all, few, many,
much, some, half, none etc.), the verb
agrees with the preceding noun.
Examples:
Two-thirds of the task is completed.
Two-thirds of his articles are peer-reviewed.
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3.Two singular subjects connected by or,
either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb.
Example:
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
Either aunt or uncle is arriving by train today.
4. The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence
agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.
Examples:
Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.
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5. When the subject of a sentence is composed
of two or more nouns or pronouns connected
by and, use a plural verb.
Example: She and her friends are at the fair.
6. When two or more singular nouns or
pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a
singular verb.
Example: The book or the pen is in the drawer.
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7. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words
as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These words and
phrases are not part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular
verb when the subject is singular.
Examples:
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
The team captain, as well as his players, is anxious.
8. In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows
the verb.
Examples:
There are four hurdles to jump.
There is a high hurdle to jump.
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9. 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.
BUT
Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.
10. With words that indicate portions—e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all—Rule
given earlier in this section is reversed, and we are guided by the noun
after of. If the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a
plural verb.
Examples:
A third of the city is unemployed.
A third of the people are unemployed.
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11. With collective nouns such
as group, jury, family, audience, population, the
verb might be singular or plural, depending on
the writer's intent.
Examples:
All of my family has arrived OR have arrived.
12. The word were replaces was in sentences that express a
wish or are contrary to fact:
Example:
I wish it were Friday.
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13. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone,
everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone,
and no one are singular and require a singular verb.
Examples:
Each of these hot dogs is juicy.
Everybody knows Mr. Jones.
Either is correct.
14.  Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and
news require singular verbs.
Example: The news is on at six.
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15. The pronouns ‘you, they, we’ always take a plural helping verb.
You are playing the instrument well.
You were regular to classes.
They are interested in singing as well as dancing.
We are grateful to our soldiers.
16. The pronouns ‘I, she, he, it’ always take a singular helping verb.
I am new to this class.
He is a silent person yet active.
She is the owner of this firm.
It is a small pond.
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17. The pronouns ‘I, you, they, we’ always take a verb without ‘s’
in simple present sentences. Example:
you make delicious cookies.
They follow strict rules in their institution
We go to our hometown for summer holidays every year.
18. Pronouns ‘ he, she, it’ always take a verb with ‘s’ in simple
present sentences.
Example:
He eats less
She carers a lot for people around her.
It sings melodiously to attract female bird.
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19. Singular subjects joined by ‘and’ require a plural verb except when they mean one thing.
Examples:
Pooja and Harini sell hand-made toys
The principal and secretary of our institution will address the gathering today.
20. The indefinite pronouns ‘None, all, most, some’ take singular or plural verb.
Example:
None of my team members are/is attending the party.
Most of the villagers are against the construction of new dam in their region.
21. The indefinite pronouns ‘Everybody, each, no one, another, nobody, every, nothing,
everything, anyone, either, neither, everyone, somebody, someone’ take a singular verb.
Every tough situation teaches us a new lesson.
Is anyone willing to join the cultural club?
Nothing is impossible.
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22. The following words are always plural: pants, trousers, pliers. However, if
word ‘pair’ is used, the verb is singular.
Examples:
My pants are new.
This pair of pants is not new.
23. The name of the country is always regarded as singular.
Examples:
The Bahamas has beautiful beaches
Philippines is a destination for foodies
24. Titles of books, plays, articles, movies are regarded as singular even though
words in the title may be plural.
Examples:
Great expectations is my favourite novel.
 Activity- 1
Choose the appropriate (singular/plural) verb:
1. The cat is / are scratching on the tree.
2. Jenny want / wants a new bike.
3. A boy is / are playing with a ball.
4. Everyone at my party is / are eating cake and ice cream.
5. Two dogs is / are running in circles.
6. Mike’s turkeys is /are huge.
7. There was / were three hot dogs steaming on the plate.
8. I like / likes the blue dress with all the flowers on it.
9. There was / were four planters on the porch.
10.The trees was / were blowing in the wind from the storm.
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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.
 Activity- 2
• The term "coronavirus" actually refer/refers to a family
of viruses that cause/causes many different types of
diseases, including the common cold. COVID-19 is a
"novel coronavirus," which means it is a new disease
unfamiliar to scientists and doctors. Its name is actually
a mash-up of the word/words "corona" (CO); corona
means "crown" in Latin (coronaviruses are named for
the crown-like spikes on their surface), "virus" (VI), and
"disease" (D). The "19" come/comes from the year
2019, when the disease was first detected.