SUBJECT and VERB AGREEMENT

General Rule: A singular subject requires a singular verb and a plural subject requires a plural
verb.

1. When the subject is followed by a phrase, the verb agrees with the subject, not with the noun in
the phrase.
2. For compounds subject joined by and, the following rules must be followed:
a) Use plural verb if the nouns joined by and refer to different persons or things.
b) Use a singular verb if the nouns joined by and are spoken of as one unit in a sentence.
c) Use a singular verb if the nouns joined by and refer to only one person or thing.
d) Use a singular verb if the nouns joined by and are synonyms.
e) Use a singular verb if the nouns joined by and are modified by each, every, many a, or no.
3. For compounds subject joined by or, either-or, or neither-nor, the ff. rules must be observed:
a) Use a singular verb if both subjects are singular.
b) Use a plural verb if both subjects are plural.
c) If one subject is singular and the other is plural, make the verb agree with the second or
nearer subject.
4. Collective nouns such as team, committee, choir, crew are treated as singular when we think of
the whole group and they are treated as plural when we visualize the individual members
5. Expressions indicating an amount of money, a space of time, or a unit of measurement take
singular verb even the form is plural.

6. The verb agrees with the positive subject, not with the negative.

7. A verb agrees with its subject, not with its predicate noun or pronoun.

8. When the verb precedes the subject, the speaker must look ahead to the subject in order to
decide whether the verb is singular or plural

9. Any group of words like phrases, clauses, or quotations referring to a single thing or thought is
used with a singular verb.

10. The indefinite pronouns each, with, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone,
someone, somebody are always singular while several, few, both and many are always plural.

11.Some indefinite pronouns may be either singular or plural.

a) Some and most are singular when they refer to quantity and plural when they refer to a
number.
b) None may be either singular or plural depending on whether the speaker is referring to one
thing or to several.
All used as a pronoun denoting persons or object takes a plural verb, all denoting quality
takes a singular verb.

12. A relative pronoun agrees with its antecedent or word to which it refers. If the antecedent is
plural, the relative pronouns is plural and will need a plural verb. If the antecedent is singular,
the relative pronouns is singular and will need a singular verb.

13. Adjective forms used as subject and preceded by the article "the" are plural.
14.Nouns plural in spelling but singular in meaning take a singular verb.
15.Do/Does/Did is followed by a verb-s.
16. Titles of a book, song, poem or musical composition take a singular verb.
17.Fractions take a singular verb. But if fractions are followed by an 'of phrase', the verb agrees
with the noun following of.
18.Intervening phrases such as with, together with, as well as, accompanied by, which come
between the subject and the verb do not affect the subject. verb.
19. Expression A NUMBER OF takes a plural verb; TH NUMBER OF takes a singular
20.Pronouns You and I take a plural verb.
21. Mathematical expressions may be either singular or plural depending in the idea exposed.
22.Abstract nouns always take a singular verb.
VERBS

Reviewing Subject and Verb Agreement

General Rule: A singular subject requires a singular verb and a plural subject requires a plural
verb.
This general rule is broken down into specific rules:

1. When the subject is followed by a phrase, the verb agrees with the subject, not with the noun
in the phrase.
A basket of mangoes costs fifty pesos.
One of the men helps the beggar.

2. For compound subjects joined by and, the following rules must be followed:
a. Use plural verb if the nouns joined by and refer to different persons or things

Jane and Jenny are studying in the same school.

Rice and corn are grown in Nueva Ecija.

b. Use a singular verb if the nouns joined by and are spoken of as one unit in the sentence

Bow and arrow is an Indian weapon.

Rice and fish was my breakfast this morning.

c. Use a singular verb if the nouns joined by and refer to only one person or thing.

The actress and singer performs before a big crowd. (One person)
The actress and the singer perform before a big crowd. (Two persons)

d. Use a singular verb if the nouns joined by and are synonyms.

Peace and order is what our town needs.

Calm and quiet soothes his nerves.

e. Use a singular verb if the nouns joined by and are modified by each, every, many a, or no.

Each boy and girl is taught what to do during an earthquake.

Every parent and teacher in our school agrees to cooperate.
Many a man and a woman does not know how to accept defeat.
No officer and official is above the law.

3. For compound subjects joined by or, either-or, or neither nor, the following rules must be
observed:
a. Use a singular verb if both subjects are singular
Father or Mother usually goes outing with us on weekends.
Neither the table nor the chair needs repair.
Either the adviser or the principal signs the admission slips.

b. Use a plural verb if both subjects are plural

The books or the magazines are to be placed in the cabinet.
Either the buses or the jeepneys use this street on weekdays.

c. If one subject is singular and the other is plural, make the verb agree with the second or
nearer subject.
Neither the president nor the senators are above the law.
Neither the senators nor the president is above the law.
4. Collective nouns such as team, committee, choir, crew are treated as singular when we think
of the whole group together. They are treated as plural when we visualize the individual members.

The orchestra (the whole group) plays a classical piece.

The orchestra (the separate individuals) are tuning their instruments.

5. Expressions indicating an amount of money, a space of time, or a unit of measurement take

verbs even the form is plural.
Three thousand pesos is the monthly rent for the apartment.
Ten years is a long time to wait.
One hundred kilometers is the distance of our town from Manila.

6. The verb agrees with the positive subject, not with the negative.
The gracious acceptance of defeat, not the jubilant shouts of triumph, is the greatest
mark of sportsmanship.
The students, not the teacher, are going to do the work

7. A verb agrees with its subject, not with its predicate noun or pronoun.
His inheritance is valuable paintings and jewelry
Valuable paintings and jewelry are his inheritance.

8. When the verb precedes the subject, the speaker must look ahead to the subject in order
decide whether the verb is to be singular or plural.
The problem arises in sentences beginning with here and there and in questions
beginning with who, why, where, what and how
Here comes our hero.
There are books to be read and collected.
Who are the visitors in the office?
Who is the man at the gate?
Why is she crying?
Why are they shouting?
How do they manage to do that?
How is she today?

9. Any group of words like phrases, clauses, or quotations referring to a single thing or thought
is used with a singular verb.
To serve my parents and my country is my dream.
What we need now is unity and cooperation.
To die is to rest is a line from Dr. Jose Rizal's My Last Farewell".

10. The indefinite pronouns each, with, neither, one everyone, everybody, no one, nobody,
anyone. someone, somebody are always singular while several, few both, many are always
plural.

Each of the students brings his own books.

Nobody is allowed in this restricted area.
Several are absent today.
Both decide to join the contest.

11. Some indefinite pronouns may be either singular or plural

a. Some and most are singular when they refer to quantity. They are plural when they refer
to a number

Some of the ink spills on her dress. (quantity)

Some of the mangoes are rotten. (number)
Most of the music is soothing. (quantity)
Most of the students attend the musical presentation. (number)
 b. None may be either singular or plural depending on whether the speaker is refer to ring to
one thing or to several.
None of the students was absent. (not one)
None of the students were absent. (no students)

C.All used as a pronoun denoting persons or objects, takes a plural verb; All denoting
quality takes a singular verb.

All attend the seminar.

All you need is courage to carry on.

12. A relative pronoun agrees with its antecedent or word to which it refers. If the antecedent is
plural, the relative pronoun is plural and will thus require a plural verb If the antecedents is
singular, the relative pronoun is singular and will need a singular verb.

Mr. Reyes is the man (antecedent) who (relative pronoun) wants to see you.
These are the books (antecedent) which (relative pronoun) are reserved for you

13. Adjective forms used as subject preceded by the article "the" are plural.

14. Nouns plural in spelling but singular in meaning take a singular verb.

15. Do / Does / Did is followed by verb-s.

16. Title of a book, song, poem or musical composition takes a singular verb.

17. Fractions take singular verb. But if fractions are followed by an “of phrase” the verb agrees
with the noun following 'of!

18. Intervening phrases such as with, together with, as well as, accompanied by, which come
between the subject and the verb, do not affect the verb.

19. Expression A NUMBER OF takes a plural verb. THE NUMBER OF takes a singular verb.

20 Pronouns You and I take a plural verb.

21. Mathematical expressions may be either singular or plural depending on the idea
expressed.

22. Abstract nouns always take a singular verb.