Subject-Verb Agreement (1)

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Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

  • Rule #1

    Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

    • Example: The dog growls when he is angry.
    • Example: The dogs growl when they are angry.

  • Rule #2

    Subordinate clauses that come between the subject and verb don't affect their agreement.

    • Example: The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.
    • Example: The girls, who are smiling at me, are very sweet.

  • Rule #3

    Prepositional phrases between the subject and the verb usually do not affect the agreement.

    • Example: The colors of the rainbow are beautiful.
    • Example: The boxes under the table are large.

  • Rule #4

    When sentences start with "there" or "here," the subject will always be placed after the verb. Some care needs to be taken to identify each part correctly.

    • Example: There is a problem with the balance sheet.
    • Example: Here are the papers you requested.

  • Rule #5

    Subjects don't always come before verbs in questions. Accurately identify the subject before deciding on the proper verb form.

    • Example: Where are the pieces of this puzzle?
    • Example: Is the principal attending the meeting?

  • Rule #6

    If two subjects are joined by "and," they typically require a plural verb.

    • Example: The cow and the pig are jumping over the moon.
    • Example: Martha and Emily are enemies.

  • Rule #7

    The verb is singular if the two subjects separated by "and" refer to the same person or thing as a whole.

    • Example: My friend and boss is very dedicated at work.
    • Example: Red beans and rice is my mother's favorite dish.

  • Rule #8

    If one of the words "each," "every," or "no" comes before the subject, the verb is singular.

    • Example: No smoking or drinking is allowed.
    • Example: Each bread contains milk and raisins.

  • Rule #9

    If the subjects are both singular and are connected by "or," "nor," "either/or," "neither/nor," or "not only/but also," the verb is singular.

    • Example: Either Jessica or Christian is to be blamed for the accident.
    • Example: Not only Billy but also Mark is going to the party tonight.

  • Rule #10

    The only time the object of the preposition determines plural or singular verb forms is when noun and pronoun subjects like "some," "half," "none," "more," or "all" are followed by a prepositional phrase.

    • Example: All of the chicken is gone.
    • Example: All of the chickens are gone.
    • Example: Some of the pizza was eaten.
    • Example: Some of the pizzas were eaten.

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