Subject and Verb Agreement

Person
Number
1. The patient feels better.
2. The patients feel better.
3. The patient, with the new medication,
feels better.
4. The patients, with the new medication,
feel better.
Compound Subject with “and”

 Generally use plural verb:

1. MRI and CT scan are essential diagnostic
tools.
 Singular verb for a compound subject considered
as a single unit:
2. Culture and sensitivity is decided to be
appropriate for the specimen.
 Singular verb for compound subject referring to
the same person or thing.
3. The center’s pride and joy is its state-of-the-
art nuclear medicine department.
Compound Subject with “or”,
“nor”, “neither” and “either”
 Consider the subject nearest to it.
1. The edema or bruises do not reflect the presence of
deeper lesions.
2. The bruises or edema does not reflect the presence of
deeper lesions.
3. Neither the chemotherapy nor the surgeries have
proven successful for the patient’s recovery.
4. Neither the surgeries or the chemotherapy has proven
successful for the patient’s recovery.
5. Either the family or the private nurses administer the
insulin injections.
6. Either the private nurses or the family administers the
insulin injections.
Intervening Clause or Phrase

1. Several antihypertensives in the

prescription have been tried before.
2. The steroid blocks given by Dr. Jackson
have been helpful for the pain.
3. The tumor measuring 2 x 5 cm lies
midline between the two axillary nodes.
4. The surgeon scheduled to do the operation
and followup is Dr. Brown.
 Intervening Clause or Phrase

1. The bedsore, as well as the incision site,

has been cleansed regularly.
2. Together with the diuretic, the new
antihypertensive has maintained his blood
pressure within manageable levels.
3. The 5-FU, in addition to cobalt, is being
considered.
4. Lissa, accompanied by her parents,
consults for episodic dizzy spells.
 Collective Nouns

 As a single unit:
1. The staff supports the chief surgeon’s stand.
 As a group:
2. The staff are arguing among themselves.
 To avoid the choice:
3. The members of the staff support the chief
surgeon’s stand.
4. The members of the staff are arguing among
themselves.
 Plural nouns singular in
meaning
1. The economics of surgery has been
discussed with the patient.
2. Mumps was declared under control.
3. Molasses has caused skin eruptions.
4. Others:
A.) Smellie scissors were used in the
procedure.
B.) A pair of Smellie scissors was used in
the procedure.
 SINGULAR Indefinite
Pronoun Subjects
1. Each dialysis session is pre-scheduled.
2. Neither the biopsy nor CT scan reports
shows significant findings.
3. Any one of those test results is indicative
of surgery.
4. Either of the hemostatics is effective.
5. None of the pulmonary function tests
shows positivity small airways disease.
 PLURAL Indefinite Pronoun
Subjects
1. A few infiltrates were noted at the
left lung field.
2. Several colonies appear to be
sensitive to Augmentin.
3. Both extremities show
diminished range of motion.
 Other Indefinite Pronouns

1. Most of the tumor was excised.

2. Most of the tumors were excised.
3. All has been done to save the
kidneys.
4. All possible efforts have been
exerted to save the kidneys.
5. None of the maneuvers was tried.
6. None of the maneuvers were tried.
 TITLES

Singular verb always

1. QuickLook is a drug reference
material.
2. Medical Terminology A
Systems Approach is an MT
textbook.
 UNIT of measure, time and
money
Singular verb:
1. Five kilometers is good for a
morning brisk walking exercise.
2. Six months has been the usual
therapy regimen for PTB.
3. A hundred thousand pesos is
likely for a good liposuction.
 Inverted Sentence Order

1. Beside the largest growth were five

more sub-centimeter nodules.
2. Under several layers of bandage
peeks the treated stab wound.
3. Amidst the angry protests from the
patient surfaces the soothing voice of
the caregiver.