slide 1: 20 Rules of Subject Verb Agreement
1. Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms
the background of the concept.
The dog growls when he is angry. The
2. Don’t get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb they
do not affect agreement.
The dog who is chewing on my jeans
3. Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb usually do not affect
agreement.
The colors of the rainbow
‘Project
20 Rules of Subject Verb Agreement
must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms
the background of the concept.
when he is angry. The dogs growl when they are angry.
Don’t get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb they
who is chewing on my jeans is usually very good.
between the subject and verb usually do not affect
are beautiful.
‘Project Smart’
must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms
angry.
Don’t get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb they
between the subject and verb usually do not affect
slide 2: 4. When sentences start with “there” or “here” the subject will always be placed
after the verb so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.
There is a problem with the balance sheet. Here are the papers you requested.
5. Subjects dont always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately
identify the subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use.
Does Lefty usually eat grass Where are the pieces of this puzzle
6. If two subjects are joined by and they typically require a plural verb form.
The cow and the pig are jumping over the moon.
7. The verb is singular if the two subjects separated by and refer to the same
person or thing.
Red beans and rice is my moms favorite dish.
8. If one of the words each every or no comes before the subject the verb is
singular.
No smoking or drinking is allowed. Every man and woman is required to check in.
9. If the subjects are both singular and are connected by the words or nor
neither/nor either/or and not only/but also the verb is singular.
Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident.
slide 3: 10. The only time when the object of the preposition decides plural or singular verb
forms is when noun and pronoun subjects like some half none more all etc.
are followed by a prepositional phrase. In these sentences the object of the
preposition determines the form of the verb.
All of the chicken is gone. All of the chickens are gone.
11. The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement or time.
Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.
12. If the subjects are both plural and are connected by the words or nor
neither/nor either/or and not only/but also the verb is plural.
Dogs and cats are both available at the pound.
13. If one subject is singular and one plural and the words are connected by the
words or nor neither/nor either/or and not only/but also you use the verb form
of the subject that is nearest the verb.
Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the zoo. Neither the lion nor
the bears have escaped from the zoo.
14. Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs.
Everybody wants to be loved.
15. Except for the pronouns few many several both all some that always take the
plural form.
Few were left alive after the flood.
slide 4: 16. If two infinitives are separated by and they take the plural form of the verb.
To walk and to chew gum require great skill.
17. When gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence they take the singular verb
form of the verb but when they are linked by and they take the plural form.
Standing in the water was a bad idea. Swimming in the ocean and playing
drums are my hobbies.
18. Collective nouns like herd senate class crowd etc. usually take a singular verb
form.
The herd is stampeding.
19. Titles of books movies novels etc. are treated as singular and take a singular
verb.
The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.
20. Final Rule
– Remember only the subject affects the verb
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Our Popular Programs:
English improvement and personality development program
2. Sunday English Speaking Club
aster art of Public Speaking in 6 Sundays
ur internet based program on English improvement
or companies and educational institutes
Business English/Personality Development
englishacademybarodagmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sarwan-singh/17/722/313