Subject-Verb Agreement

SUBJECT-
VERB
AGREEMENT
A set of rules that harmonize the
verb with the subject

• Singular Subjects
• Plural Subjects
• Parenthetical Phrases
• Indefinite Pronouns
• Percentage, portions, fraction of a noun What
• Sentences with either/or, neither/nor, verb do
and or we use in
• Mass Nouns sentences
• Gerunds with the
• Sums of money following
• Subjects connected by and cases?
• Period of time
• Abstract Nouns
• Collective Nouns
SINGULAR
Mrs. Miranda, one of the high
school teachers, (go , goes) to the
library almost every day.
RULE #1: Singular subjects take singular verbs.

Before the program starts,
Christian and Marlon (announce ,
announces) some important
reminders about the enrollment
procedures.
RULE #2: Plural subjects take plural verbs.

Cynthia, as well as the other
female workers in that country,
(yearn , yearns) to be home for
Christmas.
RULE
as #3: Parenthetical
well as phrasesalong
together with are not
with
considered when determining whether a verb
including such as accompanied by
is singular or plural.
The farmers, together with the
governor, (join , joins) the rally.
RULE
as #3: Parenthetical
well as together withphrasesalong
are with
not
considered when determining whether a verb
including such as accompanied by
is singular or plural.
Indefinite
Pronoun
Each of these clothes (cost , costs)

a fortune.
RULE #4: Indefinite pronouns take singular

verbs.
Indefinite
Pronoun
Nobody (know , knows) the

trouble I have seen.

verbs.
Indefinite
Pronoun
Many teenagers (sleep , sleeps) for

only four hours a day.

verbs, except for MANY, BOTH, SEVERAL,
OTHER, FEW, and FEWER.
Object of the
SINGULAR
preposition
Fifty percent of the pie

(smell , smells) different.
RULE #6: With words that indicate portions,

percent fraction part
look at the object of the preposition to
determine
majority whether some
to use a singular or
all plural
verb.
Object of the
PLURAL
preposition
All of the pies (taste , tastes) the

same.
RULE #6: With words that indicate portions,

percent fraction part
look at the object of the preposition to
determine
majority whether some
to use a singular or
all plural
verb.
Either/or,
Neither/nor, & Or
verb
The boys or Josh (plan, plans) the

Subject 2
Subject 1
program.
SINGULAR
PLURAL
RULE #7: Subjects connected with EITHER OR,

NEITHER NOR, and OR: Always look for the
subject closest to the verb
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
Parenthetical Phrases
Indefinite Pronouns 1
Words Indicating Portions
Either/or, Neither/Nor, Or
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
SINGULAR
Vanna (fix , fixes)
Indefinite Pronouns 1 the routers in the
computer room.
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
The golden
statues
Indefinite Pronouns 1 (make , makes)
the hall more
appealing.
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects My math

as well as
textbook, as well
together with
as the algebra
along with
Indefinite Pronouns 1 handouts,
including
(get , gets)
borrowedsuch asall the
Words Indicating Portions time. by
accompanied
Singular Subjects

as well as
textbook,
together as
withwell
as the algebra
along with
including
(get , gets)
accompanied
Singular Subjects
SINGULAR
as well as
textbook, as well
together with
as the algebra
along with
including
(get , gets)
accompanied
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
Singular Subjects INDEFINITE SINGULAR
PRONOUN
Plural Subjects One of the
generators inside
the building
Indefinite Pronouns 1 (stop , stops)
working for
maintenance
Words Indicating Portions check.
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
Singular Subjects
PLURAL
Plural Subjects both
INDEFINITE
PRONOUN
many
Parenthetical Phrases Both her sisters
and Alex
several
(seem ,other
seems) to
Indefinite Pronouns 2 be sickfewtoday.
fewer
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
Singular Subjects
percent
Plural Subjects
Twenty nine
fraction
Parenthetical Phrases percentpartof the
attendees
majority
(submit ,
some
Indefinite Pronouns 2 submits)
the online
all form.
none
Singular Subjects
percent
Plural Subjects
Twenty nine
fraction
Parenthetical Phrases percentpartof the
attendees
majority
PLURAL
(submit ,
some
Indefinite Pronouns 2 submits)
the online
all form.
none
Singular Subjects
percent
Plural Subjects
fraction
Parenthetical Phrases A partpartof the
moviemajority
(confuse ,
confuses)
some
Indefinite Pronouns 2 the students.
all
none
Singular Subjects
percent
Plural Subjects
fraction
Parenthetical Phrases A partpartof the
moviemajority
(confuse ,
SINGULAR confuses)
some
Indefinite Pronouns 2 the students.
all
none
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
Parenthetical Phrases Neither my pets

nor my uncle
(go , goes) near
Indefinite Pronouns 2 the apartment.
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects
PLURAL
Parenthetical Phrases Neither my pets
nor my uncleSINGULAR
(go , goes) near
Indefinite Pronouns 2 the apartment.
RULE #8: Mass nouns take singular
hair,verbs.
rice, juice, stars, water, blood
love, happiness,
RULE #9: Abstract nouns take singular verbs. teamwork, music
Rule #10: Collective nouns take singular

staff, family,
verbs.group, team, school
Rule #11: Periods of time take singular

5 years,
verbs.
2 hours, 25 minutes
Rule #12: Sums of money take singular

two thousand
verbs. pesos, 100 bucks
Rule #13: Two singular subjects connected by

“and” take plural verbs.
Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns
Lack of sleep
Collective Nouns
(hinder , hinders)
Periods of time us from doing
well at school.
Sums of money
Subjects connected by and

Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns
Lack of sleep
Collective Nouns
(hinder , hinders)
Periods of time us from doing
well at school.
Sums of money

Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns
Collective Nouns Coffee (awaken ,

awakens) my
Periods of time
soul.
Sums of money

Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns
Collective Nouns Coffee (awaken ,

awakens) my
Periods of time
soul.
Sums of money

Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns An hour of

listening to
Collective Nouns
instrumental jazz
Periods of time music
(make , makes)
Sums of money
one relaxed.
Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns An hour of

listening to
Collective Nouns
instrumental jazz
Periods of time music
(make , makes)
Sums of money
one relaxed.
Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns One thousand

pesos for an
Collective Nouns
amusement park
Periods of time (seem , seems)
like a high price to
Sums of money
pay.
Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns One thousand

pesos for an
Collective Nouns
amusement park
Periods of time (seem , seems)
like a high price to
Sums of money
pay.
Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns
The staff
Collective Nouns
(report , reports)
Periods of time to our office
regularly.
Sums of money

Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns
The staff
Collective Nouns
(report , reports)
Periods of time to our office
regularly.
Sums of money

Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns
Collective Nouns
Periods of time
Sums of money

Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns ABSTRACT

Teamwork and
Collective Nouns
passion ABSTRACT
Periods of time (result , results)
to success.
Sums of money

Mass Nouns
Abstract Nouns ABSTRACT

Teamwork and
Collective Nouns
passion ABSTRACT
Periods of time (result , results)
to success.
Sums of money

Mass Nouns
NOUN
Abstract Nouns
Donuts and
Collective Nouns ABSTRACT poetry
(make , makes)
Periods of time
my weekend the
Sums of money best.
Mass Nouns
NOUN
Abstract Nouns
Donuts and
Collective Nouns ABSTRACT poetry
(make , makes)
Periods of time
my weekend the
Sums of money best.
hair,verbs.
RULE #9: Abstract nouns take love,

singular
happiness,
verbs. teamwork, air, music

staff, family,

5 years,
verbs.
2 hours, 25 minutes

two thousand

I am playing basketball with my
family right now.
The action of playing basketball is being done.
Playing basketball with my family

relieves stress.
The action of playing basketball is not being done; it is
being described.
She has been baking cookies since
yesterday.
GERUNDS
There is an action present in this sentence.
Baking has become my passion.

Gerunds take singular verbs.
The action of baking is not being done; it is being
described.
Which among these two sentences has
a gerund?
Matthew is swimming in the ocean

right now.
Swimming is a sport that I find really

difficult to learn.
Which among these two sentences has
a gerund?
Matthew is swimming in the ocean

right now.
Swimming is a sport that I find really

difficult to learn.
hair,verbs.

singular
happiness,

staff, family,

5 years,
verbs.
2 hours, 25 minutes

two thousand

hair,verbs.

singular
happiness,

staff, family,

5 years,
verbs.
2 hours, 25 minutes

two thousand
Rule #13: Gerunds take singular verbs.
Rule #14: Two singular subjects connected by “and” take

plural verbs.
• Singular Subjects
• Plural Subjects
• Parenthetical Phrases
• Indefinite Pronouns
• Percentage, portions, fraction of a noun What
• Sentences with either/or, neither/nor, verb do
and or we use in
• Mass Nouns sentences
• Gerunds with the
• Sums of money following
• Subjects connected by and cases?
• Period of time
• Abstract Nouns
• Collective Nouns
SINGULAR
Mathematics (make , makes)

students think really hard.
SINGULAR
COLLECTIVE
NOUN
The band, Guns N Roses, still
(rock , rocks) the music industry.
PLURAL
My classes on public speaking
(stress , stresses) me out.
SINGULAR
INDEFINITE
PRONOUN
Each of the snakes
(devour , devours) the mouse.
The alumni, together with the
advisers, (arrive , arrives) the
venue on time.
PARENTHETICAL PHRASE

venue on time.
SINGULAR
COLLECTIVE
NOUN
venue on time.
WORDS THAT
INDICATE PORTION
None of the printers (cost , costs)
this much.
WORDS THAT
PLURAL
INDICATE PORTION
None of the printers (cost , costs)
this much.
GERUND GERUND
Strolling around the park or having

breakfast with my friends
(calm , calms) me down.
SINGULAR
GERUND GERUND
Strolling around the park or having

breakfast with my friends
(calm , calms) me down.
SINGULAR
GERUND
Looking at paintings and

picturesque sceneries
(lessen , lessens) my anxiety.
SINGULAR
SUMS OF
MONEY
Ten thousand pesos for two
apartments (sound , sounds)
cheap.
SINGULAR
ABSTRACT
NOUN
Happiness (fill , fills) the classroom
as they hear the news about the
graduation ceremony.
SINGULAR
ABSTRACT
NOUN
Happiness (fill , fills) the classroom
as they hear the news about the
graduation ceremony.
SINGULAR
PERIOD OF
TIME
10 minutes (allow , allows) you to
accomplish so many thing already.
On your notebooks, copy and
answer the following SVA exercise.
Answer by encircling the correct
answer between the choices.
1. I am thinking that maybe after the parade, it would be best if
your team, including those who were absent yesterday, (pay ,
pays) the registration fee first.
2. Any of her original songs (leave , leaves) me reflecting about
life.
3. Half of the students inside the laboratory (wear , wears) a lab
coat before engaging in hazardous activities.
4. Everyone has to accept that either Penelope or her parents
(stay , stays) in the apartment.
5. Your weird-looking soda (drip , drips) from the bottle.
6. Scratching the rashes on your fingers (make , makes) it worse.
7. The sales ladies I spoke with or the crew (call , calls) the
technician.
8. As he walks toward the classroom, five pesos (drop , drops)
from his wallet.
1. I am thinking that maybe after the parade, it would be best if
your team, including those who were absent yesterday, (pay ,
pays) the registration fee first.
2. Any of her original songs (leave , leaves) me reflecting about
life.
3. Half of the students inside the laboratory (wear , wears) a lab
coat before engaging in hazardous activities.
4. Everyone has to accept that either Penelope or her parents
(stay , stays) in the apartment.
5. Your weird-looking soda (drip , drips) from the bottle.
6. Scratching the rashes on your fingers (make , makes) it worse.
7. The sales ladies I spoke with or the crew (call , calls) the
technician.
8. As he walks toward the classroom, five pesos (drop , drops)
from his wallet.

Subject-Verb Agreement

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SUBJECT-

verb with the subject

RULE #1: Singular subjects take singular verbs.

RULE #2: Plural subjects take plural verbs.

Each of these clothes (cost , costs)

RULE #4: Indefinite pronouns take singular

Nobody (know , knows) the

RULE #4: Indefinite pronouns take singular

Many teenagers (sleep , sleeps) for

RULE #5: Indefinite pronouns take singular

Fifty percent of the pie

RULE #6: With words that indicate portions,

All of the pies (taste , tastes) the

RULE #6: With words that indicate portions,

The boys or Josh (plan, plans) the

RULE #7: Subjects connected with EITHER OR,

Words Indicating Portions

Words Indicating Portions

Words Indicating Portions

Words Indicating Portions

Plural Subjects My math

Plural Subjects My math

Words Indicating Portions

Words Indicating Portions

Words Indicating Portions

Words Indicating Portions

Parenthetical Phrases Neither my pets

Rule #10: Collective nouns take singular

Rule #11: Periods of time take singular

Rule #12: Sums of money take singular

Rule #13: Two singular subjects connected by

Subjects connected by and

Subjects connected by and

Collective Nouns Coffee (awaken ,

Subjects connected by and

Collective Nouns Coffee (awaken ,

Subjects connected by and

Abstract Nouns An hour of

Abstract Nouns An hour of

Abstract Nouns One thousand

Abstract Nouns One thousand

Subjects connected by and

Subjects connected by and

Subjects connected by and

Abstract Nouns ABSTRACT

Subjects connected by and

Abstract Nouns ABSTRACT

Subjects connected by and

RULE #9: Abstract nouns take love,

Rule #10: Collective nouns take singular

Rule #11: Periods of time take singular

Rule #12: Sums of money take singular

Rule #13: Two singular subjects connected by

Playing basketball with my family

Baking has become my passion.

Matthew is swimming in the ocean

Swimming is a sport that I find really

Matthew is swimming in the ocean

Swimming is a sport that I find really

RULE #9: Abstract nouns take love,

Rule #10: Collective nouns take singular

Rule #11: Periods of time take singular

Rule #12: Sums of money take singular