Subject-verb agreement
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The document outlines rules for subject-verb agreement in English, emphasizing that singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. It also addresses special cases such as collective nouns, phrases like 'each' and 'everyone,' and the treatment of certain currencies and items in plural form. Overall, it serves as a guide for ensuring grammatical accuracy in sentences.
Subject-verb agreement
- 2. Subject-Verb Agreement Singular subject = Singular verb Plural subject = Plural verb
- 3. Subject-Verb Agreement My brother is taking the bus to school. My brother, as well as most of his friends, is taking the bus to school.
- 4. And Plural verb He and his sister are on vacation. 1
- 5. Or or Nor Singular verb The chairman or the secretary is at the meeting. 2
- 6. Singular + Plural + Or or Nor Noun or pronoun nearest to the verb The owner or the employees go to the bank every day. The employees or the owner goes to the bank every day. 3
- 7. Subject + Other Nouns or Pronouns Only agree with the subject One of the men is injured. The girl with all the dogs walks down the road. 4
- 8. Each, Everyone, Etc. Singular verb with: each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one Each of these books is good. Nobody ever calls the emergency number. 5
- 9. News, Euros, Etc. Singular verb The news comes on at ten o’clock. 6
- 10. Euros, Dollars, Etc. (Special Case) Amount = Singular Currency = Plural Ten euros for a ticket sounds quite cheap. Euros are often used instead of Pounds. 6
- 11. Scissors, Trousers, Etc. Plural verb Those trousers look very cool on you. 7
- 12. There Is and There Are Subject follows verb There is one option. There are many possibilities. 8
- 13. Collective Nouns Operating as a Group Singular verb The committee votes on the proposal. 9
- 14. Collective Nouns Operating Independently Plural verb The class write their thesis paper this year. 9
- 15. Including, As Well, Etc. Singular subject = singular verb with: including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well The King, accompanied by the Queen, is visiting the Netherlands. 10
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