Subject Verb Agreement

2009-2010

I Agree! The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in

number. Both must be singular or both must be plural

Notice the difference between singular and plural forms in the following examples:

Example:The student sings. (He or she sings) SingularSingularThe children sing. (They sing.)PluralPlural The number of the noun determines the number of

the verb.

Identifying the subject

The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that is doing or being something.

You can find the subject of a sentence if you can find the verb.

Ask the question, "Who or what 'verbs' or 'verbed'?" and the answer to that question is the subject.

Identifying the subject

Where is my subject?Most likely, your verb will agree with

the first noun to the left of the verb. The Supreme Court judge decides the

appropriate penalty.Subject is judgejudgeVerb is decidesdecidesSingular or plural?Singular or plural?

Subject never part of a phrase

The group of students is going on a field trip.

The groupgroup of studentsof students is goingis going on a field trip.

The survey covering seven colleges reveals a growth in enrollment.

The surveysurvey covering seven collegescovering seven colleges revealsreveals a growth in enrollment.

Compound Subjects

If subjects are joined by andand, they are considered plural and need a plural verb.

The quarterback and the coach are having a conference.

The quarterback and the coachquarterback and the coach are are havinghaving a conference.

Or or Nor

If subjects are joined by or or or nor nor , the verb should agree with the closer subject.

Either the actors or the director is at fault.

Either the actorsactors or the directordirector isis at fault.

Indefinite Pronouns Somebody, Someone, Each, Either one,

Everyone, Anyone Indefinite Pronouns are considered singular

and need singular verbs although they convey plural meaning.

AnyoneAnyone who wantswants to pursue higher education hashas to pass an entrance exams.

Everyone on the committee is welcome to express his/her ideas.

EveryoneEveryone on the committee is welcomeis welcome to express his/her ideas.

It depends

A few nouns can be either plural or singular, depending on whether they mean a group or separate individuals.

Examples:The juryjury isis sequestered. The juryjury areare having an argument.

Plural or Singular

A few subjects look plural but are really singular or vice versa.

The newsnews of the discovery is is spreading.spreading.

The mass media have publicized the The mass media have publicized the facts.facts.

The The mass media have publicized the the facts.facts.

Sources

Escalas, Maggie. "LEO: Subject Verb Agreement". St. Cloud State University. 11/18/09 <http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/subverag.html>.