GRAMMAR IN FOCUS : SUBJECT/ VERB AGREEMENT One basic principle applies to this lesson: VERB MUST AGREE WITH

ITS SUBJECT IN NUMBER. Rule 1 - A singular subject takes a singular verb. Example: He was very talkative at the meeting. Rule 2 - A plural subject takes a plural verb. Example: They were very talkative at the meeting. Rule 3 - When subjects are joined by AND or BOTH/AND, the verb is plural, whethe r the subject is singular, plural or a combination of singular and plural. Example: Jack and Jill are on the hill. Both the chairs and table in Pinky s room are pai nted pink. Exception: When two subjects are joined by AND refer to only one person, o r the same thing, the verb is singular. Example: The owner and manager of Monterey Farms reports at 7 :00 a.m. daily. Rule 4 - When the subject consists of two or more singular nouns or pronouns con nected by OR, or NOR, use a singular verb. Example: Is Jenny or James joining the game? Neither Jenny nor James is joining the game. Rule 5 - When one of the two subjects connected by OR, NOR or BUT is singular an d the other is plural, the verb agrees in number with the nearer one. Example: Neither Celia nor her lawyers were there. Neither her lawyers nor Celia was there. Rule 6 - The agreement of verb with its subject is not changed by any interrupti ng words such as, together with, as well as, in addition to, including the, alon g with, etc. Example: The captain, together with seven of his men, was captured by the terrorists. Rule 7 - When the word EVERY or EACH comes before a compound subject whose parts are joined by AND, a singular verb is called for since each subject is consider ed separately. Example: Each student and a teacher is required a flowerpot. Rule 8 - A verb must agree in number with an indefinite pronoun used as a subjec t. Singular: anybody either neither somebody anyone everyone nobody no one each everybody someone Plural : both few many several Examples: Everyone in the room is a member of the debating club. Many were late during the transport strike. Rule 9 - When a sentence is introduced by the expletive There or the adverb Here , the verb agrees with the following subject. Example: Here is your money. There are no other methods suggested. Rule 10 - The subject and the verb of inverted sentence must agree in number Example: At the end of that winding road are two bamboo bridges. Rule 11 - A collective noun subject requires a singular verb that is thought of as a unit, it requires a plural verb when it is thought of as individuals. Example: The committee is planning to hire a band. The committee are unable to agree on the kind of band t o hire. Rule 12 - When the sentence is introduced by the phrase The number, it requires a singular verb. Example: The number of dropouts has decreased. Rule l3 - When the sentence is introduced by the phrase A number, it requires a plural verb.

Example: A number of candidates are coming to school. Rule 14 - Unit of measurement or weight usually requires a singular verb. Example: Twenty pesos is more than enough for a day s allowance. Rule 15 - Certain subject/nouns ending in S, plural in form but singular in mean ing, needs singular verbs such as: Mathematics, physics, gymnastics, economics, politics, geriatrics, statistics, politics, etc. Example: To some, politics is a way of life. Rule 16 - Use plural verb with such noun as shears, scissors, pants, trouser, pl iers, etc. Example: His pants are too short for him.