Subject and Verb Agreement

Basic Rules in Agreement and Grammar

A verb agrees with its subject in person and in number

Example:
Wrong: They doesn’t understand what to do
Right: They don’t understand what to do.

Compound Nouns
Compound subjects joined by a conjunction take plural verbs.

Example.
Paul and Robin are brothers.
Wrong: Here comes Nanding and Manny.
Right: Here come Nanding and Manny.

Compound nouns joined by “and” use the singular form of the verb if they are
regarded as one unit.
Example:
Bread and butter was all he asked for.

When two or more singular subjects are joined by “or” or “nor”, a singular form of
the verb is required.
Wrong: A man’s success or failure lie in his hand.
Right: A man’ success or failure lies in his hand.

Neither...nor and Either...or

The verb must agree with the closest noun.
Example:
Neither John nor his brothers are going to America.

As well and Together with

The verb must agree with the first noun(subject)
Example:
The president together with his advisers is leaving tomorrow.

This and That, There and Those

Ordinarily, this and that take a singular form of the verb while there and those take the
plural form of the verb.
Example:
That is a good idea.
There are times that try man’s soul.

Basic Rules in Agreement and Grammar 1

The preposition “of”
The number of a noun in phrase introduced by preposition “of” does not affect the
number of verb.
Example:
Wrong: A list of books were made by Bong.
Right: A list of books was made by Bong.

Noun ending in --is and --ics

Noun ending in --is and --ics are always paired with verbs in singular form
Examples:
Mathematics is my favorite subject.
Measles is a dangerous disease

Book title
The title of a book is considered singular
Example:
“The Dialogues” of Plato is great classic.

Nouns set in twos.

Nouns of this nature take a singular verb if the word “pair” is present. If not, they take a
plural verb.
Examples:
A pair of scissors is on the table.
The scissors are on the table.

People
The word “people” meaning many person is plural.
Example:
The people were excited about the news.

All, both, few, may several, some

The following indefinite pronouns are ordinarily used with the third person. They take the
plural form of the verb.
Examples:
All were satisfied.
Both are to be blamed.

More indefinite pronouns

Each, everybody, everyone, everything, any, anybody, anything, other, somebody,
someone, something, one, nothing, nobody, either, neither, another.
Examples:
Each arrives on time
Everything is order.

“A number” and “The number”

Sentences beginning with the phrase “a number” always takes a plural verb, while

Basic Rules in Agreement and Grammar 2

sentences that begin with “the number” takes a singular verb.
Examples:
A number of students have been expelled.
A number of books are on reserve in the library.
The number of students being expelled is rising.
The number of books are reserve in the library.
.
Money, time, measurement or distance
Nouns referring to money, time, measurement or distance that is preceded by an
expression of amount or quantity is considered singular and takes the singular form of the
verb.
Examples:
Five hundred is too much for that shirt.
Three weeks is a long time to wait for you.

Fraction and Percent

The number of the noun that follows an expression of fraction, portion and percent
determines the number of the verb to be used.
Examples
One third of the apples are yours.
Half of the apple was eaten by rats.
50% of the earth water is still safe for drinking.
One thirds of the students were expelled.

Basic Rules in Agreement and Grammar 3