Podcast
Questions and Answers
Subjects and verbs must always agree in number regardless of other factors.
Subjects and verbs must always agree in number regardless of other factors.
True (A)
Words between the subject and verb affect the agreement between them.
Words between the subject and verb affect the agreement between them.
False (B)
Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb can change whether a verb needs to be singular or plural.
Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb can change whether a verb needs to be singular or plural.
False (B)
If a sentence starts with 'there' or 'here,' the subject will always come before the verb.
If a sentence starts with 'there' or 'here,' the subject will always come before the verb.
When a question is asked, the subject always comes before the verb.
When a question is asked, the subject always comes before the verb.
When two subjects are connected by 'and,' a plural verb is generally used.
When two subjects are connected by 'and,' a plural verb is generally used.
If two subjects joined by 'and' refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular.
If two subjects joined by 'and' refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular.
The verb is singular if 'each,' 'every,' or 'no' comes before the subject.
The verb is singular if 'each,' 'every,' or 'no' comes before the subject.
When two singular nouns are connected by 'or,' 'nor,' 'neither/nor,' 'either/or,' or 'not only/but also,' the verb is plural.
When two singular nouns are connected by 'or,' 'nor,' 'neither/nor,' 'either/or,' or 'not only/but also,' the verb is plural.
The object of a preposition determines the form of the verb when words like 'some,' 'half,' 'none,' 'more,' 'all,' etc. are used.
The object of a preposition determines the form of the verb when words like 'some,' 'half,' 'none,' 'more,' 'all,' etc. are used.
The singular verb form is commonly used for units of measurement.
The singular verb form is commonly used for units of measurement.
If both subjects are plural and connected by 'or,' 'nor,' 'neither/nor,' 'either/or,' or 'not only/but also,' the verb is singular.
If both subjects are plural and connected by 'or,' 'nor,' 'neither/nor,' 'either/or,' or 'not only/but also,' the verb is singular.
If one subject is singular and one plural, connected by words like 'or,' 'nor,' 'neither/nor,' 'either/or,' or 'not only/but also,' the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
If one subject is singular and one plural, connected by words like 'or,' 'nor,' 'neither/nor,' 'either/or,' or 'not only/but also,' the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs.
Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs.
The pronouns 'few,' 'many,' 'several,' and 'both' always take the singular form.
The pronouns 'few,' 'many,' 'several,' and 'both' always take the singular form.
Two infinitives separated by 'and' always take the singular verb form.
Two infinitives separated by 'and' always take the singular verb form.
Gerunds, used as subjects, always take the plural verb form.
Gerunds, used as subjects, always take the plural verb form.
Collective nouns like 'herd,' 'senate,' 'class,' 'crowd,' and 'committee' usually take a plural verb form.
Collective nouns like 'herd,' 'senate,' 'class,' 'crowd,' and 'committee' usually take a plural verb form.
Titles of books, movies, novels, etc. are treated as singular subjects.
Titles of books, movies, novels, etc. are treated as singular subjects.
Only subject affects the verb in subject-verb agreement, not any intervening elements.
Only subject affects the verb in subject-verb agreement, not any intervening elements.
Flashcards
Subject-Verb Agreement Core Rule
Subject-Verb Agreement Core Rule
The basic rule of subject-verb agreement: singular subjects need singular verbs, plural subjects need plural verbs.
Intervening Words Don't Affect Agreement
Intervening Words Don't Affect Agreement
Words between the subject and verb (like descriptive phrases) don't affect the verb's form.
Prepositional Phrases Don't Change Agreement
Prepositional Phrases Don't Change Agreement
Prepositional phrases (words starting with 'of', 'in', 'with', etc.) don't change the verb based on their nouns.
Subject After Verb in 'There' and 'Here' Sentences
Subject After Verb in 'There' and 'Here' Sentences
Signup and view all the flashcards
Subject After Verb in Questions
Subject After Verb in Questions
Signup and view all the flashcards
And Joins Two Subjects - Plural Verb
And Joins Two Subjects - Plural Verb
Signup and view all the flashcards
And Joins Same Thing - Singular Verb
And Joins Same Thing - Singular Verb
Signup and view all the flashcards
Each, Every, No - Singular Verb
Each, Every, No - Singular Verb
Signup and view all the flashcards
Or, Nor, Either/Or - Singular Verb
Or, Nor, Either/Or - Singular Verb
Signup and view all the flashcards
All/None/Some - Verb Follows Prepositional Phrase
All/None/Some - Verb Follows Prepositional Phrase
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
- Subjects and verbs must agree in number.
- The words between the subject and verb do not affect agreement.
- Prepositional phrases usually do not affect agreement.
- When "there" or "here" begins a sentence, the subject follows the verb.
- Subject-verb agreement in questions: Make sure the subject is identified correctly before choosing the verb form.
- "And" connecting two subjects usually requires a plural verb.
- If "and" connects subjects referring to the same person or thing, the verb is singular.
- If "each," "every," or "no" precedes the subject, the verb is singular.
- With "or," "nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," and "not only/but also," the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
- Indefinite pronouns usually take singular verbs, except for "few," "many," "several," and "both," which take plural verbs.
- Two infinitives joined by "and" require a plural verb.
- Gerunds as subjects take singular verbs. Linked by "and," they take plural verbs.
- Collective nouns (herd, senate, etc.) usually take singular verbs.
- Titles of books, movies, etc. take singular verbs.
- Units of measurement take singular verbs.
- If the subjects are both plural and connected by "or," "nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," and "not only/but also," the verb is plural.
- If one subject is singular and one plural, and the words are connected using "or," "nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," and "not only/but also," the verb agrees with the subject nearest the verb.
- Object of preposition affects the verb only when the subjects are a noun and pronoun.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
