VERB

Voices

Voices
Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement

VOICE

Is the property of a verb which tells whether

the subject is the doer of the act expressed by
the verb or is the receiver of the action so
indicated by the verb.

Note:
When the sentence shows that the
subject performs the action expressed by the
verb that verb is in the active voice. When the
subject becomes the receiver of the act, the
verb is in the passive voice.

Active Voice:
1.) My friend washes the car.
2.) Mario scrubs the floor.
3.) Paolo and Carlo made this table.

Passive Voice:

1.) The car is washed by my friend.

2.) The floor is scrubbed by Mario.
3.) This table was made by Paolo and Carlo.

It must be noted that only transitive verbs have

voice. And only transitive verbs can be changed
from active to passive voice or vice versa.
Intransitive and linking verbs have no voice.

Subject-Verb
Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement
RULE 1.
Generally, compound subjects joined by and
require plural verbs.
Example:
Marian and John are cousins.
Exception: When considered as a unit,
compound subjects joined by and require a
singular verb as in the following examples:
1.) Bread and butter is delicious.
2.) Rice and fish was served for dinner.

RULE 2.
When used as subjects, nouns ending in s
generally require plural verbs.
Examples:
The boys are noisy.
The books were distributed to students.

RULE 3.
Some nouns which are plural in form but
singular in meaning require singular verbs, as
mumps, news, measles, Mathematics,
politics, Philippines.
Example:
Mathematics is an interesting subject.

RULE 4.
Indefinite pronouns like everybody,
everything, anyone, everyone, nobody,
each, either, neither or someone, when
used as subjects require singular verb.
Examples:
Everybody is happy.
Everything is beautiful.
Either of the boys is ready.
One of the boys looks sad.

RULE 5.
Two or more singular subjects joined by and
but modified by each, every, no, or not
require singular verb.
Examples:
Each teacher and student was given a gift.
Every boy, girl, and visitor was given a ball pen.
No student and no visitor was allowed to come in.
Not money and not comfort was his prime purpose
in marrying her.

RULE 6.
The verb in a compound subject joined by or,
either or, neither nor agrees in number
and in person with the nearer or nearest
subject.
Examples:
Either you or I am at fault.
Neither he nor you are to be suspended.
Either you or she is involved in the anomaly.

RULE 7.
Parenthetical expressions or intervening
words like along with, accompanied by, as
well as, together with, including, with, do
not affect the number of the subject.
Examples:
The teacher, together with her students, is
coming.
The captain, as well as his soldiers, is marching.
Mrs. Cruz, accompanied by her children, was
welcomed.
Fernando Poe Jr., including his fans, was well
accommodated.

RULE 8.
A compound subject joined by and which refers to the
same person or thing and preceded by one article
takes singular verb.
Examples:
The treasurer and secretary of the English Club is amiable.
The red and white uniform is very becoming.

RULE 9.
When used as subjects, indefinite pronouns like both,
few, some, many, and several take plural verbs.
Examples:
Both are expected to pass the test.
Many have signified their intention to join us.

RULE 10.
When a singular subject is in the third person
and expressed in the present tense, the verb
ends either in s or es whichever is applicable
(if verb is not is).
Examples:
Tan dances gracefully.
Paolo works in a low office.
Magi brushes her teeth every morning.
Johnny likes to go to school.

RULE 11.
When used as subjects, collective nouns such
as class, team, committee, mob, crowd,
faculty, board, audience, group, staf, take
singular verbs when considered as a unit;
but, when the members of the unit are
thought of separately and individually, the
collective nouns take plural verbs.
Examples: (if taken as a unit)

The class is silent.

The team practices every day.
The committee has finished its work.

Examples: (if the members of the group are

thought of separately or individually)

The audience were allowed to join their

respective groups.
The committee are actually taking their
lunch.
The crowd were throwing all kinds of hard
objects during rally.
The mob were seen running to different
direction.

RULE 12.
When used as subjects, nouns denoted in pairs,
such as pliers, trousers, tongs, scissors,
spectacles, and tweezers require plural verb; they
have no singular forms.
Examples:
The tongs are hot.
My pliers were lost.
His trousers are still wet.
The spectacles were broken.

Note: When pair is used as the subject denoting the

same objects under this rule, the verb should be
singular.
1.) The pair of tongs was borrowed.

RULE 13.
The verb should agree with the number of the
subject, not with the number of the predicate
nominative.
Example:
Her problem is her mother-in-law and her
sister-in-law.
His mission in life is to work hard and to
help the poor.
Her mother-in-law and her sister-in-law are
her problems.
To work hard and to help poor are his chief
concerns.

RULE 14.

When used as subjects mathematical

terminologies signifying addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division
require singular verbs.

Examples:
Two plus two is four.
Four added to four is eight.
Two times three equals six.
Ten divided by two equals five.
Three and three is six.

RULE 15.
When used as subject of a subordinate
clause, the relative pronoun who derives its
number and person from its antecedent
hence, the verb should agree in number and
in person with its antecedent.
Examples:
It is I who am guilty. (The antecedent of who is I)
It is he who is guilty. (The antecedent of who is he)
It is you who are guilty. (The antecedent of who is
you)

RULE 16.
When used as subjects, adjectives preceded by
the article the require plural verb.
Examples:

The beautiful are fortunate.

The poor are persevering.
The rich crave for more wealth.

RULE 17.
The verb must agree with the number of the
subject and not with that of the modifiers.
Examples:

A set of new rules was adopted.

The intention of the laborers is in good faith.

RULE 18.
When used as subject, a number requires a plural verb;
the number requires a singular verb.
Examples:

A number of students are in the office.

The number of students in the office is ten.

RULE 19.
When used as the subject, a numerical fraction is
either singular or plural. Its number depends upon the
of phrase.
Examples:

One half of the class is still out.

One half of the students are still out.
Three fourths of the audience has left.
Three fourths of the delegates have left.

RULE 20.
When used as the subject, a gerund or an infinitive
takes a singular verb.
Examples:
To earn is my mission. (infinitive)
Walking is a good form of exercise. (gerund)

RULE 21.
When used a subject, a unit of measure, an amount
of money, or a span of period takes a singular verb.
Examples:
Twelve inches is equal to one foot.
Three years is too short for a good mayor.

RULE 22.
When used as subject, the pronoun this or it takes
a singular verb; these or those takes a plural verb.
Examples:

This is a book. It is true.

These are the books we need. Those are what we like.

RULE 23.
The prepositional phrase modifying the subject
does not change the number of the subject.
Examples:
One of the boys is sick.
The leader of the students is very young.

RULE 24.
In dependent clauses introduced by if, as if,
as though, the verb were, in the subjunctive
mood of the verb to be, should be used with
all persons in expressing a supposition or a
condition contrary to fact.
Examples:
If I were the President, I would dismiss cabinet
members involved in any anomalous transaction.
Dado acted as if he were rich.
He spoke as though he were the manager.

Note:
Were should also be used with all
persons to express a mere wish to be what
would not be possible at the moment.
Examples:
I wish I were you.
I wish I were a bird so that I could fly.
She wished she were you during the dance.

RULE 25.
When used as the subject of a subordinate clause, the
relative pronoun, who, that, or which, derives its number
from its antecedent; so, the verb in that subordinate
clause should also agree in number with the assumed
number of the relative pronoun.
Example:

One of the boys who are absent is sick.

Principal Clause:
One of the boys is sick. (The subject is one; the verb should be
is)
Subordinate Clause:
Who are absent.
Number of the relative pronoun who is plural.
The antecedent of who is boys.
Explanation: The verb of the subordinate clause is are, because
who, by reason of its antecedent, is plural.