Thursday, May 24, 2012

MSQ Grammar Lesson #8: Subject-Verb Agreement

General Rules
  • Subject plural, verb plural
  • Subject singular, verb singular
  1. Ex: each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one

Subject-Verb Agreement
  • When the subject of a sentence is two or more nouns or pronouns (either singular or plural) connected by and, use a plural verb.
  1. The table and couch look like they need work.
  2. Jamie and her friends drive all the time.
  • When the subject of a sentence is two or more singular nouns or pronouns connected or or nor, use a singular verb.
  1. Sheila or Jenny will water my plants.
  2. Neither the Ford nor the Pontiac is the car I want.
  • The verb should agree with the noun that is closer to the verb when the subject has both a singular noun or pronoun and a plural noun or pronoun connected by or or nor.
  1. The kitchen or the bedrooms need to be cleaned.
  2. The bedrooms or the kitchen needs to be cleaned.
  • The following words are all singular and therefore require singular verbs: each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one.
  1. Each of these sweaters is black.
  2. Nobody knows what happened to all the cake.
  3. Everybody thinks they can sing really well.
  • In sentences that begin with there are or there is, pay attention to what follows there are or there is. This element is what determines whether you use are or is. If the subject is plural, you use are; if the subject is singular, you use is.
  1. There are two cookies left.
  2. There is one chance to make a first impression.
  • Some subjects imply more than one person, but are themselves singular. These are known as collective nouns. Examples include group, team, committee, class, band, and family. Because these words are singular, they require a singular verb.
  1. The committee meets tomorrow.
  2. My family is a little crazy.
  • Be careful not to be misled by phrases that come between the subject and verb. Always remember that the verb should agree with the subject of the sentence, not with the noun(s) or pronoun(s) in the phrase. Carefully identifying the subject of the sentence will help you avoid this confusion.
  1. One of the dogs runs really slowly.The people who bring cake are always popular.

Sources: Rutgers Guide to Grammar and Style; Elements of Style; OWL

Comments (0)

Write comment

feedShow/hide comment form

busy