Verb Rule
26 June 2006Subject Verb Agreement
1. I the subject is singular, takethe s or es form of the verb. It the subject is plural, take base form of the verb.
Roger and Allan are brothers.
The are three dog in the backyard. (Three dogs is the subject; there simply introduce the verb).
2. A compound subject that designates only one person or thing takes a singular verb.
The secretary and treasurer is Mr. Ricafort.
Ham and egg is a nice breakfast.
3. Compound subjects joined by or…either, neither…nor, take a verb closer to the subject.
Either the girls or Johnny is to blame.
Neihter Johnny nor the girls are to blame.
4. Compound subjects preceded by each or every are reagrded as singular, the verb should be in the s or es form.
Each of the students is responsible for the books.
5. The number of a noun (singular or plural) in a phrase dos not affect the the verb.
One of the groups is lost. (of the groups is a phrase and it does not control the verb, the verb is agrees with the subject One).
The books on the table are mine. (books is the subject, the verb is are).
6. A singular subject followed by with, including, as well as, along with, and together with takes the s or es form of the verb.
Jonnathan, as well as his friend goes to vacation.
7. When the impersonal pronoun it is used in a sentence, the s or es form of the verb will follow.
It is the Ricaforts not the Abads.
8. The indefinite pronouns both, many, several and few, take the base form of the verb.
Few are ecpected to attend the meeting.
9. The indefinite pronouns each, neither, either, someone, anyone, everyone, anybody, nobody takes the singular form of the verb.
Everybody is working.
10. Plural nouns but singular in meaning, such as billiards, measles, molasses, mathematics, physics and politics, take a singular (s or es form) verb.
Physics is her favorite subject.
11. Singular nouns that denotes pair and have no singular form, such as slippers pliers, scissors, spectacles, and tweezers, take the plural verd (base form).
Wher are my slippers?
12. Nouns that refer to a group (collective noun) such as class, faculty, team, committe, and board of trustees, take a singula verb, but if we talk about the individual members, plural form of the verb is used.
The board of trustess is on vacation.
The board of trustees are having their meeting.
13. Singular verbs are used with mathematics abstructions.
Five and five is ten.
Three and two is five.
Two times to equals four.
14. To express the simple future, shall is used in the first person singular and plural; will is used in the second and third person singular and plural.
I shall go and you will stay.
15. To express determination, will is used in the first person singular and plural; shall in the second and third person singular and plural.
We will not attend and they shall not invite.
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