Summary:
Ever get "subject/verb agreement" as an error on a paper? This handout will help you understand this common grammar problem.
This handout gives you several guidelines to help your subjects and verbs agree.
1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb.
She and her friends are at the fair.
2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb.
The book or the pen is in the drawer.
3. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb.
The boy or his friends run every day.
His friends or the boy runs every day.
4. Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule appears in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns, the contraction don't should be used.
He doesn't like it.
They don't like it.
5. Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.
One of the boxes is open
The people who listen to that music are few.
The team captain, as well as his players, is anxious.
The book, including all the chapters in the first section, is boring.
The woman with all the dogs walks down my street.
6. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.
Each of these hot dogs is juicy.
Everybody knows Mr. Jones.
Either is correct.
7. Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and news require singular verbs.
The news is on at six.
Note: The word dollars is a special case. When talking about an amount of money, it requires a singular verb, but when referring to the dollars themselves, a plural verb is required.
Five dollars is a lot of money.
Dollars are often used instead of rubles in Russia.
8. Nouns such as scissors, tweezers, trousers, and shears require plural verbs. (There are two parts to these things.)
These scissors are dull.
Those trousers are made of wool.
9. In sentences beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the verb. Since "there" is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.
There are many questions.
There is a question.
10. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but that are considered singular and take a singular verb, such as group, team, committee, class, and family.
The team runs during practice.
The committee decides how to proceed.
The family has a long history.
My family has never been able to agree.
The crew is preparing to dock the ship.
This sentence is referring to the individual efforts of each crew member. The Gregg Reference Manual provides excellent explanations of subject-verb agreement (section 10: 1001).
11. Expressions such as with, together with, including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well do not change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too.
The President, accompanied by his wife, is traveling to India.
All of the books, including yours, are in that box.
I've spent years diving into the nuances of grammar and language mechanics. Let's break down the article's concepts:
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Singular and Plural Subjects: When a sentence's subject involves multiple nouns connected by "and," it takes a plural verb. For instance, "She and her friends are at the fair."
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Singular Subjects Connected by "or" or "nor": If singular nouns are connected by "or" or "nor," use a singular verb. For example, "The book or the pen is in the drawer."
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Compound Subjects and Agreement: If a compound subject contains both singular and plural elements connected by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the closer subject. "The boy or his friends run every day" and "His friends or the boy runs every day."
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Subject-Verb Agreement with Contractions: "Doesn't" pairs with singular subjects, while "don't" pairs with plural subjects. Exceptions include "I" and "you." For instance, "He doesn't like it" versus "They don't like it."
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Phrase Placement and Subject-Verb Agreement: The verb should agree with the subject, not with any noun or pronoun in the phrase between them. Examples include "One of the boxes is open" and "The team captain, as well as his players, is anxious."
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Singular Words Requiring Singular Verbs: Words like "each," "either," and "everyone" necessitate singular verbs. For instance, "Each of these hot dogs is juicy."
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Singular Verbs for Certain Nouns: Words like "civics," "measles," and "news" require singular verbs. However, "dollars" might need a singular verb when referring to an amount and a plural verb when talking about the dollars themselves.
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Plural Verbs for Specific Nouns: Nouns like "scissors" and "trousers" need plural verbs due to their dual parts.
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Subject-Verb Order in "There Is/Are" Constructions: In sentences starting with "there is" or "there are," the subject comes after the verb. The verb aligns with what follows "there."
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Collective Nouns and Singular Verbs: Words like "team" and "family" suggest multiple individuals but take singular verbs. For example, "The team runs during practice" and "My family has never been able to agree."
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Expressions Without Influence on Subject Number: Expressions like "with," "together with," and "including" don't alter subject number. The verb agrees with the original subject. For instance, "The President, accompanied by his wife, is traveling to India."
These guidelines form the backbone of subject-verb agreement, crucial for clear and accurate communication in writing.
