Learn More About Subject-Verb Agreement
The basic principle of subject-verb agreement is that singular subject must take on a singular verb. For example: She eats ice cream. Similarly, a plural subject must take on a plural verb, like so: They eat ice cream.
Below are are just a few guidelines when determining subject-verb agreement. Familiarize your students with some of these, and they can learn more advanced rules as they progress.
- When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb.
Example: Jack and his friends are playing outside
- When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb.
Example: The son or the daughter is going to pick up the supplies at the store.
- When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb.
Example: Jack or his friends like cake.
His friends or Jack eats a whole slice.
- The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone and no one are singular and require a singular verb.
Examples: Everyone loves cake.
Either is correct.
- Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles and news require singular verbs.
Examples: The news is on at 6 p.m.
Exception: When talking about an amount of money, dollars requires a singular verb, but when referring to the dollars themselves, use a plural verb.
Examples: Five dollars is the price of admission. Dollars are more valuable than pesos.
- Nouns with two components, such as scissors, tweezers, trousers and shears, require plural verbs.
Example: Those trousers are too tight.
