Podcast
Questions and Answers
A ______ subject takes a singular verb.
A ______ subject takes a singular verb.
singular
Nouns such as 'cat', 'dog', and 'house' are examples of ______ subjects.
Nouns such as 'cat', 'dog', and 'house' are examples of ______ subjects.
singular
Collective nouns like 'team', 'family', and 'herd' take ______ verbs.
Collective nouns like 'team', 'family', and 'herd' take ______ verbs.
singular
With compound subjects connected by 'and', the verb is ______.
With compound subjects connected by 'and', the verb is ______.
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The subject 'news' takes a ______ verb.
The subject 'news' takes a ______ verb.
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The subject 'scissors' takes a ______ verb.
The subject 'scissors' takes a ______ verb.
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In a relative clause, the verb agrees with the ______.
In a relative clause, the verb agrees with the ______.
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Each ______ clause has its own subject-verb agreement.
Each ______ clause has its own subject-verb agreement.
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Study Notes
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Basic Rules
- A singular subject takes a singular verb.
- A plural subject takes a plural verb.
Subject Types
-
Singular subjects:
- Nouns (cat, dog, house)
- Pronouns (he, she, it)
- Indefinite pronouns (someone, nobody)
-
Plural subjects:
- Nouns (cats, dogs, houses)
- Pronouns (they, we, you)
- Indefinite pronouns (some, many, few)
Special Cases
-
Collective nouns:
- Singular verbs with collective nouns (team, family, herd)
- Plural verbs with collective nouns when referring to individual members (team are playing)
-
Indefinite pronouns:
- Singular verbs with indefinite pronouns (everyone, someone)
- Plural verbs with indefinite pronouns when referring to plural nouns (many are coming)
-
Compound subjects:
- Connected by and: plural verb (John and Mary are going)
- Connected by or or nor: verb agrees with the closest subject (John or Mary is going)
-
Singular nouns that appear plural:
- News, physics, measles, and economics take a singular verb
-
Plural nouns that appear singular:
- Scissors, pants, and glasses take a plural verb
Verb Agreement with Clauses
-
Relative clauses:
- Verb agrees with the antecedent (The student, who is tired, is sleeping)
-
Independent clauses:
- Each clause has its own subject-verb agreement (I went to the store, and I bought milk)
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Basic Rules
- Singular subjects take singular verbs.
- Plural subjects take plural verbs.
Subject Types
- Singular subjects include:
- Nouns (e.g., cat, dog, house)
- Pronouns (e.g., he, she, it)
- Indefinite pronouns (e.g., someone, nobody)
- Plural subjects include:
- Nouns (e.g., cats, dogs, houses)
- Pronouns (e.g., they, we, you)
- Indefinite pronouns (e.g., some, many, few)
Special Cases
Collective Nouns
- Take singular verbs when referring to a single unit.
- Take plural verbs when referring to individual members (e.g., the team are playing).
Indefinite Pronouns
- Take singular verbs when referring to single entities (e.g., everyone).
- Take plural verbs when referring to plural nouns (e.g., many are coming).
Compound Subjects
- Connected by and: take plural verbs.
- Connected by or or nor: verb agrees with the closest subject.
Nouns with Unusual Plurality
- Singular nouns that appear plural:
- News, physics, measles, and economics take singular verbs.
- Plural nouns that appear singular:
- Scissors, pants, and glasses take plural verbs.
Verb Agreement with Clauses
Relative Clauses
- Verb agrees with the antecedent (e.g., The student, who is tired, is sleeping).
Independent Clauses
- Each clause has its own subject-verb agreement (e.g., I went to the store, and I bought milk).
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Description
Learn the basic rules and special cases of subject-verb agreement in English grammar, including singular and plural subjects and collective nouns.
