Rules in Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement

The verb of the sentence must agree with the number of the subject.
That is, a single subject needs a single verb and the plural subject needs a plural verb.

1. The following Indefinite pronouns, when used as subjects in sentences, take a singular verb:

            Anybody               Anyone             Anything
            Everybody            Everyone           Everything
            Somebody            Someone           Something
            Nobody                No one              Nothing
            Each                     Either                 Neither

Examples:  Anybody is free to visit my office.
                   Everybody was present last exam.

2. When words each and every comes before a singular subject joined by and, use a singular verb.

Examples : Every man and woman has the freedom to love.
                   Each man and woman is given a right to decide.

3. Intervening words or prepositional phrases that come between the subject and the verb do not affect the subject.

Examples :  The teacher as well as the students are excited to watch Hamlet.
                    My friends together with my cousin waits for me at the Mall.

Intervening words/ prepositional phrases that appear in a sentence:
        along with
        together with
        as well as
        except
        in addition to

4. When a sentence starts with HERE or THERE, the verb agrees with the subject (that comes after the verb).

 Examples:   There goes my wife.
                      Here are my books.

5. Subjects joined by AND take a plural verb.

Examples:   Apples and Grapes are my favorite fruits.
                    The man and his dog stroll inthe park.

 Exception:  My mother and friend is always there for me. (here, only one person is referred to, his mother is also his friend)
                  His bread and butter is farming.

 6. Words such as SEVERAL, BOTH, MANY, FEW always take a plural verb.

Examples: Many are called but few are chosen.
                  Both are glad to see their exam results.

7. Words like NONE, ANY, ALL, MOST, MORE, SOME, MAJORITY, HALF, may take either a singular or plural verb depending on the meaning.

Examples:  All of the students know the answer.
                    Some of the cake is eaten.
                
8. In subjects joined by NEITHER and EITHER, the verb agrees with the closer subject.

Examples:  Neither the man nor his children believe the story.
                   Either the teachers or the principal believes the news.

9. These nouns are always plural and therefore take a plural verb:
      trousers, pants, slacks, jeans, shorts, briefs, shoes, thongs, glasses, sunglasses, pliers, scissors, tweezers

Examples: The scissors are missing. (When you say the scissor is missing, it's only one blade)
                   My glasses are broken.

Exception: Using  A PAIR OF will make the verb singular.
                       A pair of shoes is newly bought.


10. Collective nouns take a singular verb when regarded as a unit.

 Examples: My family plans to go to Palawan this summer.
                   The class is silent when I arrive.

However, when taken individually, collective nouns take a plural verb.

Examples: The team are working hard to win the games.(Team members)
                   The class are busy in their practice.