1. Subject-Verb Agreement
Chapter 11
Subject-Verb Agreement
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Business English at Work, 3/e
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. General Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement
A verb must agree with its subject in–
Person
Number
a) first
b) second
c) third
a) singular
b) plural
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3. Singular Subject—Singular Verb
Use a singular verb with a singular subject.
Add s or es to a present part of a verb when the subject is third-person singular.
Use the simple subject to determine the correct verb form.
an employee decides
I speak
she plans
experience brings
he reaches
you agree
the telephone buzzes
it taxes
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4. Plural Subject—Plural Verb
Use a plural verb with a plural subject.
Do not add s to a plural verb used with a plural subject (a plural noun is formed by adding s or es, but this is not true with the plural form of a verb).
Use the simple subject to determine the correct verb form.
the managers agree
employees cooperate
the Johnsons own
they decide
members disagree
we discuss
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5. Pronoun You—Plural Verb
Use a plural verb with both the second-person singular or second-person plural subject you.
you determine you think you are
you both work you are all qualified
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6. Linking Verbs
A linking verb should agree with its subject, not its subject complement (predicate noun or pronoun).
Time management skills were the first workshop topic at our company retreat.
Compliments are a way to start a conversation.
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7. Intervening Words and Phrases
The verb must agree with the subject, not with the object of the prepositional phrase that appears between the subject and the verb.
My lack of experience keeps me from accepting a leadership role.
The items on the agenda determine the length of our meetings.
The members of our team work well together.
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8. Intervening Words and Phrases
continued
Disregard modifying phrases such as along with, in addition to, together with, accompanied by, as well as, and in conjunction with.
Use commas to set aside these modifying phrases when they are placed between the subject and the verb.
Patti, along with several other committee members, prepares our agenda.
Patience, in addition to the ability to listen, plays an important part in success.
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9. Compound Subjects Joined by And
Use a plural verb with a compound subject joined by and or both and.
The manager and team members meet every week.
Both Rachel and Rick work in the evenings.
Use a singular verb with a compound subject that refers to the same person or thing.
My friend and coworker has participated in panel discussions on teamwork.
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10. Compound Subjects Joined by Or or Nor
Make the verb agree with the subject nearer the verb when a compound subject is joined by or or nor or by either or or neither nor.
Either Penny or Zola is expected to replace Maurey on the committee.
Neither the supervisor nor the committee members were available after 5 p.m.
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11. Compound Subjects With Many a, Many an, Each, and Every
Use a singular verb when the words many a, many an, each, and every immediately precede a compound subject connected by and. The subject that follows one of these four expressions is considered singular; the verb must agree.
Many a staff meeting and brainstorming session has resulted in numerous creative ideas.
Every supervisor and department manager needs good communication skills.
Each workshop participant and observer receives feedback in a timely manner.
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12. Indefinite Pronouns That Require Singular Verbs
Use a singular verb when the subject is one of the following singular indefinite pronouns.
anybody either neither one
anyone everybody no one somebody
anything everyone nobody someone
each everything nothing something
Someone in our department commutes from Santa Rosa.
One of our team members always reacts strongly to recommendations that appear costly.
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13. Indefinite Pronouns That Require Plural Verbs
Use a plural verb when the subject is one of the following indefinite pronouns: both, few, many, others, and several.
Several of our employees like to organize our retreat.
Many of our Web site changes are the result of customers’ suggestions.
Both of the team meetings are scheduled for Friday.
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14. Indefinite Pronouns That Require Either Singular or Plural Verbs
Use a singular or plural verb when the indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, none, and some are used as subjects. The form of the verb depends on whether the pronoun refers to something singular or something plural.
Most of our employees have leadership training.
Some of our work reflects recommendations by customers.
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15. Collective Nouns That Require a Singular Verb
Use a singular verb to refer to a group as one unit.
This particular accounting team is extremely accurate.
The public relations group responds quickly to any questions about company operations.
The hiring committee has selected a candidate.
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16. Collective Nouns That Require a Plural Verb
Use a plural verb to refer to group members acting as individual members of the group. Reword the sentence to avoid awkward construction.
The team are selecting meeting dates for next year.
At Mission Hills Mortgage, a peer counseling group help workers with work-related problems.
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17. Publications
Use a singular verb when the name of a publication such as a book, magazine, software application, or newspaper is used as a subject.
The Insider publishes our company announcements.
The Internet Guide reviews Web sites.
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18. Companies, Institutions, and Organizations
Use a singular verb when the name of a company, an institution, or an organization is used as a subject of a sentence.
Marriott International Inc. emphasizes the ability to work as a member of a team.
Gateway Technical College makes teamwork a part of each class.
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19. Money, Time Periods, Numbers, and Measurements
Use a singular verb with money, measurements, time periods, or numbers when referring to one total amount or unit.
Two hours is the time limit for all staff meetings.
Twenty dollars is the donation expected from each employee.
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20. Fractional Amounts— Singular Verbs
Use a singular verb with expressions such as the majority of, a part of, a portion of, a percentage of, or one-half of when the noun that follows the word of is singular.
The majority of our team is in support of the software update.
A small percentage of our meeting time involves socializing.
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21. Fractional Amounts— Plural Verbs
Use a plural verb with expressions such as a majority of, a part of, a portion of, a percentage of, or one-half of when the noun that follows the word of is plural.
A majority of my colleagues support the proposal.
A large percentage of company computers have project management software.
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22. A Number/The Number Use a plural verb with the subject a number.
A number of the members of this committee are eager to reorganize the department.
Use a singular verb with the subject the number.
The number of accounting employees increases as our business expands.
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23. Sentences Beginning with Here and There
Locate the subject in a sentence that begins with here or there. The verb should agree with the subject.
There are five candidates for the manager’s position.
Here is the agenda for the meeting.
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24. Questions
Locate the subject in a question, and make the verb agree with the subject.
Do you agree with the recommendations of the committee?
Why are you attending the leadership seminar in New York?
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25. Nouns Ending in ics
Use a singular verb with a noun that ends in ics when the noun refers to one topic of study.
Statistics is a course that helps analyze data.
Use a plural verb with a noun that ends in ics when the noun refers to more than one idea or item such as qualities or activities.
The statistics from our Web site are valuable in analyzing our customers’ needs.
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26. Plural Nouns
Use a plural verb with such nouns ending in s as assets, dues, earnings, goods, grounds, odds, proceeds, savings, and thanks when these nouns are used as subjects.
The odds were against us, but we advocated for more support staff.
No dues are required from members of teams.
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27. Gerund Phrases
Use a singular verb when a gerund phrase is the subject of a sentence.
Completing leadership training takes commitment.
Assuming leadership roles is important for all employees.
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