Subject-Verb Agreement Rules PDF

Syntax  At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: Review the grammatical rules for competent language learning; and Create a teaching-learning material (i.e. grammar worksheet) for syntactic study.  Grammar Rules (Subject-Verb Agreement)  Basic Rule Subject...

Syntax  At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: Review the grammatical rules for competent language learning; and Create a teaching-learning material (i.e. grammar worksheet) for syntactic study.  Grammar Rules (Subject-Verb Agreement)  Basic Rule Subjects and verbs must agree in number. Single subject = single verb Plural subject = plural verb Examples: The dog growls when he is angry. The dogs growl when they are angry.  SVA Rules The pronoun ‘you’ always takes a plural verb. Examples: You were invited to come. You are asked to clean the room. You sing so well.  SVA Rules If a sentence begins with HERE or THERE, the verb agrees with the subject which follows it. Examples: Here are the ways on how to preserve meat. There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor.  SVA Rules Two singular subjects joined by EITHER/OR or NEITHER/NOR take a singular verb. Examples: Either Mommy or Daddy is coming with me at the outbound. Neither Ferdie nor Dulce is waiting for you.  SVA Rules If two subjects, one single and one plural, are connected by EITHER/OR or NEITHER/NOR, the verb agrees with the nearer subject. Examples: Neither the players nor the coach is joining. Either the conductor or the singers are attending the concert.  SVA Rules A singular subject followed by intervening words or phrases such as WITH, AS WELL AS, IN ADDITION TO, ACCOMPANIED BY, TOGETHER WITH, and NO LESS THAN, takes a singular verb. Examples: Jake, together with his sisters, is enrolling in PNC. Daddy, as well as my brothers, is enjoying the party.  SVA Rules Note: Don’t get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb; they do not affect agreement. Examples: The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good. The contestants, with their mentor, are in the practice run.  SVA Rules Singular subjects joined by AND require a plural verb, except when they refer to the same person or thing. Examples: Larry and Mercy are reading novels. My teacher and friend is here. Red beans and rice is my mom’s favorite dish.  SVA Rules If a singular subject is followed by a phrase containing a plural noun, the verb is singular. Examples: One of the boys is yelling so loud. One of the members is against the rule.  SVA Rules The indefinite pronouns SEVERAL, FEW, BOTH, MANY, OTHERS are always plural. Examples: Both were asking to be freed. Several are seeking justice.  SVA Rules The indefinite pronouns SOME, MOST, ALL, NONE are singular or plural depending on the object of the preposition. Examples: All of the chickens are gone. Some of the ice cream is left.  SVA Rules When any of the following indefinite pronoun is the subject, the verb is singular: EVERYBODY, EACH, NO ONE, ANOTHER, ANYBODY, NOBODY, EVERY, NOTHING, EVERYTHING, ANYONE, EITHER, NEITHER, EVERYONE, SOMEBODY, SOMEONE. Example: Every man and woman in this hall is a member.  SVA Rules If the word NO comes before the subject, the verb is singular. Example: No smoking and drinking is allowed.  SVA Rules Expressions of time, money, weight, and distance are singular even if the form is plural. Examples: Two years is a long time to wait. One million dollars was given back to the owner.  SVA Rules When the amount of money refers to separate units, the verb is plural. Examples: Five 25centavo coins were found. Sixty 100-peso bills were added to the budget.  SVA Rules When fractions are used, the verb agrees with the object of the OF PHRASE. Examples: One half of the cake was consumed. One fourth of the employees were attending the seminar.  SVA Rules The following words are always plural: PANTS, TROUSERS, PLIERS, SCISSORS, SHEARS, TONGS. However, if the word PAIR is used, the verb is singular. Examples: The pants are torn into two. The pair of scissors was placed on the table.  SVA Rules Certain nouns, though plural in form, are in singular in meaning and therefore take singular verbs. Examples: Mathematics is my favorite subject. The latest news is alarming to the public.  SVA Rules When the word NUMBER is preceded by A, it takes a plural verb. When it is preceded by THE, it takes a singular verb. Examples: A number of students are waiting outside. The number of students outside is not yet recorded.  SVA Rules These nouns may be singular in plural in meaning: ATHLETICS, GENETICS, GYMNASTICS, POLITICS, STATISTICS. When the noun refers to the organized activity, it is singular; when the noun refers to the activities of individuals within a group, or to varied activities, it is plural. Examples: Gymnastics is very popular among girls. The gymnastics shown in the field today were outstanding.  SVA Rules The name of a country is always regarded as singular. Examples: The Bahamas has beautiful beaches. Philippines is a wondrous place.  SVA Rules Adjectives used as nouns are considered plural. Examples: The poor are to be helped. The efficient are what this country needs.  SVA Rules Collective nouns may be singular or plural depending on whether the individual members are acting individually or collectively. Examples of these nouns are: COMPANY, GROUP, COMMITTEE, CROWD, JURY, FLOCK, TEAM. Examples: The committee is against the plan. The committee are of different opinion.  SVA Rules In the use of mathematical expressions, the following are accepted: Seven plus three is ten. Seven and three are ten. Five times two are ten. Five minus two is three.  SVA Rules Titles of books, plays, articles, movies, etc. are regarded as singular even though words in the title may be plural. Examples: “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities” is a story by D. Schwartz. “Great Expectations” is a must-read novel.  SVA Rules Names of organizations take a singular verb when the whole organization is referred to, and a plural verb when the members are referred to. Examples: Lopez and Sons is a successful organization. Lopez and Sons are holding a two-day annual meeting.  SVA Rules If a sentence begins with the expletive IT, the verb is always singular even if the subject that follows the verb is plural. Examples: It is the schools which must assume the responsibility. It is us who must take care of the environment.  SVA Rules Subjects don't always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately identify the subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use. Examples: Does Lefty usually eat grass? Where are the pieces of this puzzle?  SVA Rules The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement. Example: Four gallons of oil was required to get the truck running.  SVA Rules If two infinitives are separated by and they take the plural form of the verb. Example: To walk and to chew gum require great skill.  SVA Rules When gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence they take the singular verb form of the verb, but when they are linked by and they take the plural form. Examples: Standing in the water was a bad idea. Swimming in the ocean and playing drums are my hobbies.