Subject-Verb Agreement PDF

## Subject-Verb Agreement The basic principle of subject-verb agreement is that if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. There are ten major guidelines. In the examples under the following guidelines, the simple subjects and v...

## Subject-Verb Agreement The basic principle of subject-verb agreement is that if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. There are ten major guidelines. In the examples under the following guidelines, the simple subjects and verbs are *italicized*. 1. **Do not let words that come between the subject and verb affect agreement.** - Modifying phrases and clauses frequently come between the subject and verb: * The various types of drama *were* not discussed. * Angela, who is hitting third, *is* the best player. * The price of those shoes *is* too high. - Certain prepositions can cause trouble. The following words are prepositions, not conjunctions: *along with*, *as well as*, *besides*, *in addition to*, *including*, *together with*. The words that function as objects of prepositions cannot also be subjects of the sentence. * The coach, along with the players, *protests* the decision. - When a negative phrase follows a positive subject, the verb agrees with the positive subject. * Philip, not the other boys, *was* the culprit. 2. **Do not let inversions (verb before subject, not the normal order) affect the agreement of subject and verb.** - Verbs and other words may come before the subject. Do not let them affect the agreement. To understand subject-verb relationships, recast the sentence in normal word order. * *Are* Juan and his sister at home? [question form] * Juan and his sister *are* at home. [normal order] 3. **A singular verb agrees with a singular indefinite pronoun.** - Most indefinite pronouns are singular. * *Each* of the women *is* ready at this time. * *Neither* of the women *is* ready at this time. * *One* of the children *is* not paying attention. - Certain indefinite pronouns do not clearly express either a singular or plural number. Agreement, therefore, depends on the meaning of the sentence. These pronouns are *all*, *any*, *none*, and *some*. * *All* of the melon *was* good. * *All* of the melons *were* good. * *None* of the pie *is* acceptable. * *None* of the pies *are* acceptable. 4. **Two or more subjects joined by *and* usually take a plural verb.** * The captain and the sailors *were* happy to be ashore. * The trees and shrubs *need* more care. - If the parts of a compound subject mean one and the same person or thing, the verb is singular; if the parts mean more than one, the verb is plural. * The secretary and treasurer *is* not present. [one] * The secretary and the treasurer *are* not present. [more than one] - When *each* or *every* precedes singular subjects joined by *and*, the verb is singular. * *Each* boy and *each* girl *brings* a donation. * *Each* woman and *man* *has* asked the same questions. 5. **Alternative subjects that is, subjects joined by *or*, *nor*, *either/or*, *neither/nor*, *not only/but also* should be handled in the following manner:** - If the subjects are both singular, the verb is singular. * *Rosa* or *Alicia* *is* responsible. - If the subjects are plural, the verb is plural. * *Neither* the students *nor* the teachers *were* impressed by his comments. - If one of the subjects is singular and the other subject is plural, the verb agrees with the nearer subject. * *Either* the Garcia boys *or* their father *goes* to the hospital each day. * *Either* their father *or* the Garcia boys *go* to the hospital each day. 6. **Collective nouns *team*, *family*, *group*, *crew*, *gang*, *class*, *faculty*, and the like take a singular verb if the verb is considered a unit, but they take a plural verb if the group is considered as a number of individuals.** * The *team* *is* playing well tonight. * The *team* *are* getting dressed. - In the second sentence the individuals are acting not as a unit but separately. 7. **Titles of books, essays, short stories, and plays, a word spoken of as a word, and the names of businesses take a singular verb.** * *The Canterbury Tales* *was* written by Geoffrey Chaucer. * *Ives* *is* my favorite name for a pet. * *Markel Brothers* *has* a sale this week. 8. **Sums of money, distances, and measurements are followed by a singular verb when a unit is meant. They are followed by a plural verb when the individual elements are considered separately.** * *Three dollars* *was* the price. [unit] * *Three dollars* *were* lying there. [individual] * *Five years* *is* a long time. [unit] * The *first five years* *were* difficult ones. [individual] 9. **Be careful of agreement with nouns ending in *-s*. Several nouns ending in *-s* take a singular verb for example, *aeronautics*, *civics*, *economics*, *ethics*, *measles*, *mumps*. ** * *Mumps* *is* an unpleasant disease. * *Economics* *is* my major field of study. 10. **Some nouns have only a plural form and so take only a plural verb for example, *clothes*, *fireworks*, *scissors*, *pants*.** * His *pants* *are* badly wrinkled. * Mary's *clothes* *were* stylish and expensive. ## Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Every pronoun refers to an earlier noun, which is called the antecedent of the pronoun. The antecedent is the noun that the pronoun replaces. The pronoun brings the reader back to the earlier thought. Here are some examples: * I tried to buy tickets for the concert, but *they* were all sold. * Roger painted a picture of a pickup truck. *It* was so good that *he* entered *it* in an art show. A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in person, number, and gender. * **Person** - first, second, or third - indicates perspective, or point of view. * **Number** indicates singular or plural. * **Gender** indicates masculine, feminine, or neuter. ### Agreement in Person Avoid needless shifting of person, which means shifting of point of view, such as from *I* to *you*. First person, second person, and third person indicate perspectives from which you can write. Select one point of view and maintain *it*, promoting continuity and consistency. Needless shifting of person, meaning changing perspectives without reasons important for your content and purpose, *is* distracting *and* awkward. Each point of view *has* its appropriate purposes. ### Agreement in Number Most problems with pronoun-antecedent agreement involve number. The principles are simple: * If the antecedent (the word the pronoun refers back to) *is* singular, use a singular pronoun. * If the antecedent *is* plural, use a plural pronoun. 1. A singular antecedent requires a singular pronoun. * Tom forgot *his* notebook. 2. A plural antecedent requires a plural pronoun. * Many students cast *their* votes today. 3. A singular indefinite pronoun as an antecedent takes a singular pronoun. Most indefinite pronouns are singular. The following are common indefinite singular pronouns: *anybody*, *anyone*, *each*, *either*, *everybody*, *everyone*, *no one*, *nobody*, *one*, *somebody*, *someone*. * *Each* of the girls brought *her* book. * When *one* makes a promise, *he* or *she* should keep *it*. 4. A plural indefinite pronoun as an antecedent takes a plural pronoun. * *Few* knew *their* assignments. 5. Certain indefinite pronouns do not clearly express either a singular or plural number. Agreement, therefore, depends on the meaning of the sentence. These pronouns are *all*, *any*, *none*, and *some*. * *All* of the apple *was* wormy [singular]. * *All* of the apples *were* wormy [plural]. * *None* of the cake *is* acceptable [singular]. * *None* of the cakes *are* acceptable [plural]. 6. Two or more antecedents, singular or plural, take a plural pronoun. Such antecedents are usually joined by *and* or by commas and *and*. * *Howard* and *his parents* bought *their* presents early. * *Students*, *instructors*, and the administration pooled *their* ideas at the forum. 7. Alternative antecedents that is, antecedents joined by *or*, *nor*, *whether/or*, *either/or*, *neither/nor*, *not only/but also*- require a pronoun that agrees with the nearer antecedent. * *Neither Alex* nor *his friends* lost *their* way. * *Neither his friends* nor *Alex* lost *his* way. 8. In a sentence with an expression such as *one of those who*, the antecedent is usually the plural noun that follows the preposition *of*. * *He* is one of *those people* who want *their* money now. 9. In a sentence with the expression *the only one of those who*, the antecedent is usually the singular word *one*. * *She* is the only one of the members who wants *her* money now. 10. When collective nouns such as *team*, *jury*, *committee*, and *band* are used as antecedents, they take a singular pronoun if they are considered as units. * The *jury* *is* doing *its* best. - When individual behavior *is* suggested, antecedents take a plural form. * The *jury* *are* putting on *their* coats. 11. The words *each*, *every*, and *many a(n)* before a noun make the noun singular. * *Each child* and *adult* *was* *his* or *her* own authority. * *Each* and *every* person doubted *himself* or *herself*. * *Many a person* *is* capable of knowing *himself* or *herself*. ### Agreement in Gender The pronoun should agree with its antecedent in gender, if the gender of the antecedent is specific. Masculine and feminine pronouns are gender-specific: *he*, *him*, *she*, *her*. Others are neuter: *I*, *we*, *me*, *us*, *it*, *they*, *them*, *who*, *whom*, *that*, *which*. The words *who* and *whom* refer to people. *That* can refer to ideas, things, and people, but usually does not refer to individuals. *Which* refers to ideas and things, but never to people. * My *girlfriend* gave *me* *her* best advice. [feminine] * Mighty Casey tried *his* best. [masculine] * The people with *whom* *I* work are loud. [neuter] ## Commonly Confused Words 1. **Allusion vs. Illusion** * An *allusion* refers to implying or referring to something, especially in literature. * Ex. The horse mentioned in the text is clearly an *allusion* to the Trojan horse. * An *illusion* refers to a misleading image, object, or idea that does not exist as it appears. * Ex. The magician created the *illusion* of a disappearing coin. 2. **Among vs. Between** * *Among* is used when referring to three or more. * Ex. *Among* the paintings was an original Picasso. * *Between* is used when referring to two. * Ex. I am stuck in traffic *between* Alden Rd. and Pennell Dr. 3. **Effect vs. Affect** * An *effect* is a result or a consequence. (usually a noun) *Effect* may also function as a verb meaning "to bring about something." * Ex. The *effect* was catastrophic. OR *He effected* the change in the existing system. * An *affect* is to have an impression, influence, or effect on something. (usually a verb) * Ex. This greatly *affected* his mental state that evening. 4. **Fewer vs. Less** * *Fewer* is used when referring to things that can be counted. * Ex. There were *fewer* customers than anticipated. * *Less* is used when referring to uncountable and usually abstract nouns. * Ex. I have *less* patience than Ted. 5. **Hanged vs. Hung** * *Hanged* refers to the past tense and past participle of *hang* (to put to death). * Ex. Many people were *hanged* during the Salem Witch Trials. * *Hung* refers to the past tense and past participle of *hang* (to suspend). * Ex. *He hung* the picture on the wall. 6. **Imply vs. Infer** * To *imply* means to suggest something without specifically stating it. * Ex. Are you *implying* that I did something wrong? * To *infer* means to draw a conclusion about something that hasn't been directly stated. * Ex. From your statement, I can *infer* that you believe he is guilty. 7. **Lie vs. Lay** * Use *lie* when the object is laying itself down. * Ex. I am going to *lie* down. OR Go *lie* down on the couch. * Use *lay* when the object is being laid down. * Ex. I will *lay* the book on the table. OR Now *I lay* me down to sleep. 8. **Many vs. Much** * *Many* is used when referring to a large but definite number. *Many* refers to things that can be counted. * Ex. I have *too many* shoes. * *Much* is used when referring to something great in quantity, amount, extent or degree. *Much* refers to things that cannot be counted. * Ex. You have *too much* time on your hands. 9. **Rise vs. Raise** * Use *rise* when the object is lifting itself. *Rise* is an intransitive verb. * Ex. I *rise* each morning at six. * Use *raise* when the object is being risen by another force. *Raise* is a transitive verb. * Ex. *She raised* her hand at the teacher's request. 10. **Than vs. Then** * *Than* is used to draw a comparison. * Ex. I like vanilla more *than* chocolate. * *Then* is used to refer to time/at that time. * Ex. I went to the store then *I went* to David's graduation. 11. **Their vs. They're vs. There** * *Their* is the third person plural pronoun. It indicates a possession or relationship. * Ex. *Their* dog was in the backyard. * *They're* is the contraction of "they" and "are." * Ex. *They're* going to the amusement park on Friday. * *There* is used to refer to a specific location, position, or time. It may also be used to introduce a sentence of clause when the verb has no definite subject. * Ex. The books are over *there*. OR *There* will be cake at the party. 12. **To vs. Too** * *To* is used with verbs to form the infinitive or as a preposition expressing movement towards something. * Ex. *It is important to tell* the truth. OR *We went to* the mall. * *Too* is used to show an extensive degree or as a synonym of "also." * Ex. He is *too* young for that ride. OR I am going to the movies *too*. 13. **Who vs. Whom** * *Who* is used when it is the subject of a sentence or a predicate noun. * Ex. *Who* wants ice cream? * *Whom* is used when it is the direct object, the indirect object, or the object of a preposition. * Ex. *Whom* did you ask to the dance? OR You are giving the ring to *whom*? 14. **Whose vs. Who's** * *Whose* is a pronoun expressing possession. * Ex. *Whose* car are we taking? * *Who's* is the contraction of *who is*. * Ex. *Who's* going to the concert? ## Commonly Confused Words Practice Exercises For each of the following sentences, circle the correct word choice: 1. We discussed the multiple literary (illusions/allusions) within the text. 2. (Among/Between) me and you, I think Kallie won the contest. 3. She had too (many/much) sweaters in her closet. 4. Alex was (to/too) excited to sleep. 5. (Their/They're/There) going to the amusement park tomorrow. 6. The sugar had a negative (effect/affect) on the science experiment. 7. Nicole has (fewer/less) shoes than Sara. 8. The gas prices continue to (raise/rise). 9. Michael (hanged/hung) the picture for his mother. 10. Cindy, (lay/lie) the book on the table. 11. John scored higher on the exam (then/than) I did. 12. (Who/Whom) wants to go to the mall tonight? 13. Haley did not mean to (infer/imply) that Jenny was to blame. 14. John had (less/fewer) travel time because he lives closer to the airport. 15. (Whose/Who's) watch is this on the counter? 16. I am going to (lie/lay) down for an hour. 17. The disappearing penny was simply an optical (allusion/illusion). 18. The book is on the table over (their/there/they're). 19. (Whose/Who's) responsible for the advertising of the event. 20. From your words, I can (infer/imply) that you think he is guilty. 21. The weather greatly (effected/affected) the outcome of the race. 22. (Their/They're/There) books are on the bottom shelf. 23. Earlier today we walked (to/too) the ice cream parlor. 24. The prisoner was (hung/hanged) last night. 25. There are red roses scattered (among/between) the carnations. 26. Kelly ordered her lunch, and (then/than) she went back to work. 27. Mark wanted (to raise/to rise) the flag at the assembly today. 28. (Who/Whom) did you ask to the party? 29. There was too (much/many) chlorine in the pool.