Subject-Verb Agreement (2)

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

Rule #11

The singular verb form is usually reserved for units of measurement or time.

• Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.
• One thousand pesos is my everyday allowance.

Rule #12

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

• Not only dogs but also cats are available at the animal shelter.
• Neither the teachers nor the students are attending the flag ceremony.

Rule #13

If one subject is singular and the other is plural, and the words are connected by "or," "nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," or "not only/but also", 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.

Rule #14

Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs (with some exceptions).

• Everybody wants to love and be loved.
• Everyone is a winner.

Rule #15

The exceptions to the above rule include the pronouns "few," "many," "several," "both," "all," and "some". These always take the plural form.

• Few were left alive after the flood.
• Some were killed during the shooting incident.
• All of my cousins from Nueva Ecija are leaving now.

Rule #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.
• To sing and to dance are not my strong points.
• To love and to be loved are my frustrations.

Rule #17

When gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence, they take the singular form of the verb. However, 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.

Rule #18

A collective noun, such as "team" or "staff," can be either singular or plural depending on the rest of the sentence. Typically, they take the singular form, as the collective noun is treated as a cohesive single unit.

• The staff are gathering for their meeting.
• The committee is being punished for its irresponsiveness.

Rule #19

Titles of books, movies, novels, and other similar works are treated as singular and take a singular verb.

• Mathematics is my favorite subject.
• The Hunger Games was a hit back in 2010.
• Mumps is very rampant nowadays.

Final Rule

Remember, only the subject affects the verb! Nothing else matters.

• Jacob, who owns sixteen houses and twenty resorts is becoming a billionaire now.
• Teacher Ely, along with her naughty students is going to discuss something important today.