Subject-Verb Agreement

Basic Rule Singular subjects need singular verbs. Plural subjects need plural verbs.

For example: The dog needs to go for a walk. Singular subject? Verb ends with “s” The dogs need to go for a walk Plural subject? Verb does not end in “s”

These create problems: Pronouns such as everyone and everybody seem plural, but they are always singular — so they need a singular verb. 1. Everyone who worked on the science project is a winner.

The Rule? Words that end in “body”, “thing”, or “one” are always singular! Ex: anybody, everybody, somebody, nobody….anything, everything, something, nothing…..anyone, everyone, someone, no one

These create problems: Prepositional phrases may come between the subject pronoun and its verb —IGNORE them! Each of the basketball players is excited about tonight’s game.

These create problems: Pronouns such as all and some have verbs that will be determined by whether the pronoun is referring to something that is COUNTABLE or not. 1. Some of the workers on the building have left for the day. You could count the workers.

These create problems: Verbs that accompany pronouns such as all and some will be determined by whether the pronoun is referring to something that is COUNTABLE or not. 1. Some of the salt was spilled on the floor. Salt is considered one lump item.

These create problems: None can have a singular OR a plural verb None of the boys has helped at the game. OR None of the boys have helped at the game. Either is correct!

These create problems: Phrases like together with, along with, and as well as seem to combine subjects, but they do not! Some of the tile in our room, as well as the hall, was soaked. The major problem we had, together with that of our teacher, was tardiness. Don’t be fooled by extra phrases!

These create problems: When either and neither appear as a subject alone (without the words or and nor), they are singular. 1. Either of those answers seems to be right. 2. You can have the bed by the window or the one by the door. Either is okay with me. Seems like plural things!

And here’s the other way…. When either or neither appear WITH “or” or “nor”, you determine singular or plural by the one CLOSEST to the verb. Neither the televisions nor the radio works. Neither the radio nor the televisions work.

These create problems: The words there and here are never subjects. 1.Here are the papers you gave me. 2.Here is my answer. Here is not the subject.

Warm-up: 2/11/11 The piano as well as the pipe organ (has, have) to be tuned for the big concert. The mayor together with his two brothers (is, are) going to be indicted for accepting bribes. Neither of my two suitcases (is, are) adequate for this trip. There (are, is) a list of committee members on the head-table. Everybody in the class (has, have) done the homework well in advance.

Warm-up: 2/14/11 The jury (takes, take) their seats in the courtroom. Neither the teacher nor the students (seem, seems) to understand this assignment. (Has, Have) either my father or my brothers made a down-payment on the house? Hartford is one of those cities that (is, are) working hard to reclaim a riverfront. Some of the grain (has, have) gone bad.

Warm-up: There (is/are) sixteen candles on the cake. Two cats as well as three dogs (is/are) walking around the park. None of the students (is/are) taking the test. Some of the students (has/have) to read The Crucible. Everyone (is/are) going to Mr. Rochester tomorrow night.