subject and verb agreement unit 18. 2 of 17 unit 18 subject and verb agreement singular and plural...

Subject and Verb Subject and Verb AgreementAgreement

Unit 18Unit 18

Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 2 of 17

Unit 18 Subject and Verb AgreementUnit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement Singular and Plural SubjectsSingular and Plural Subjects

Subjects and Verbs Separated by Subjects and Verbs Separated by Intervening wordsIntervening words

Collective NounsCollective Nouns

Either-Or, Neither-NorEither-Or, Neither-Nor

Special CasesSpecial Cases

A Number, The NumberA Number, The Number

Firm NamesFirm Names


Singular and Plural SubjectsSingular and Plural Subjects

The subject and verb of a sentence The subject and verb of a sentence must agree. If the subject is singular, must agree. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural or compound, the verb subject is plural or compound, the verb must be plural.must be plural.

The The cupcup isis on the table. on the table.

The The cupscups areare on the table. on the table.

The The cupcup and and saucersaucer areare on the table. on the table.


Tryout SentencesTryout Sentences

1.1. My brother and sister (was, were) home for My brother and sister (was, were) home for Easter recess.Easter recess.

2.2. The student and her parent (is, are) waiting in The student and her parent (is, are) waiting in the reception room.the reception room.

3.3. Did you know that this company and its Did you know that this company and its subsidiary (has, have) been considered for a subsidiary (has, have) been considered for a hostile takeover?hostile takeover?

4.4. Mr. Corrales and Ms. Baxter (is, are) members Mr. Corrales and Ms. Baxter (is, are) members of the same committee.of the same committee.

5.5. The author and his publicity agent (has, have) The author and his publicity agent (has, have) mapped out a promotional campaign for the mapped out a promotional campaign for the new book.new book.


Subjects and Verbs Separated by Subjects and Verbs Separated by Intervening WordsIntervening Words

The agreement of the verb with the The agreement of the verb with the subject should not be affected by subject should not be affected by intervening words.intervening words.

Mr. SalernoMr. Salerno, who has three assistants, , who has three assistants, isis a busy person.a busy person.

The The actoractor who received the most fan who received the most fan letters letters waswas Rocky Riordan. Rocky Riordan.


Tryout SentencesTryout Sentences1.1. Hagit Zacour, one of the directors of our Hagit Zacour, one of the directors of our

overseas operations, (was, were) just overseas operations, (was, were) just appointed vice president.appointed vice president.

2.2. The chef in charge of salads and desserts (is, The chef in charge of salads and desserts (is, are) from France.are) from France.

3.3. My vote, although just one of several hundred, My vote, although just one of several hundred, (is, are) necessary.(is, are) necessary.

4.4. Patrice Lytle, who was applauded by hundreds Patrice Lytle, who was applauded by hundreds of screaming, adoring fans, (has, have) of screaming, adoring fans, (has, have) returned for an encore.returned for an encore.

5.5. The person in charge of repairing the The person in charge of repairing the machines (was, were) ill yesterday.machines (was, were) ill yesterday.


Collective NounsCollective Nouns

When a collective noun is the subject of When a collective noun is the subject of a sentence, the verb is singular if the a sentence, the verb is singular if the group is being referred to as one unit. group is being referred to as one unit. Any personal pronouns referring to the Any personal pronouns referring to the group are also singular. The verb and group are also singular. The verb and pronouns are plural if members of the pronouns are plural if members of the group are being considered separately.group are being considered separately.

The The juryjury has arrivedhas arrived at a verdict. at a verdict.

The The juryjury have been polledhave been polled for for theirtheir individual votes.individual votes.


Tryout SentencesTryout Sentences1.1. The electorate (is, are) indicating (its, The electorate (is, are) indicating (its,

their) displeasure at the polls.their) displeasure at the polls.

2.2. My company (is, are) offering to pay for My company (is, are) offering to pay for the education of (its, their) employees.the education of (its, their) employees.

3.3. The law firm (was, were) asked for (its, The law firm (was, were) asked for (its, their) color preferences for the new their) color preferences for the new offices.offices.

4.4. ““This audience (is, are) receptive,” said This audience (is, are) receptive,” said the entertainer.the entertainer.

5.5. The committee (was, were) polled as to The committee (was, were) polled as to (its, their) individual votes.(its, their) individual votes.


Either-OrEither-Or, , Neither-NorNeither-Nor

When two or more singular subjects are When two or more singular subjects are joined by joined by oror or or nornor, the verb is singular. , the verb is singular. Any pronouns referring to the subjects Any pronouns referring to the subjects are also singular.are also singular.

Either Either sheshe or or IsakoIsako is sure to have is sure to have herher homework.homework.

Neither Neither JimmyJimmy nor nor MarilynMarilyn knowsknows the the correct answer.correct answer.


Tryout SentencesTryout Sentences1.1. Neither my sister nor Angela (has, have) Neither my sister nor Angela (has, have)

given me (her, their) opinion.given me (her, their) opinion.

2.2. I am sure that either Billy or his brother (is, I am sure that either Billy or his brother (is, are) not too busy to mow the lawn.are) not too busy to mow the lawn.

3.3. Neither my manager nor her assistant Neither my manager nor her assistant (places, place) much value in the new (places, place) much value in the new design.design.

4.4. Do you think that either Pio or Emily (has, Do you think that either Pio or Emily (has, have) an extra key?have) an extra key?

5.5. I don’t think that either Miranda or Lawrence I don’t think that either Miranda or Lawrence (wants, want) to continue working overtime.(wants, want) to continue working overtime.


Special CasesSpecial CasesUse a singular verb when a subject contains Use a singular verb when a subject contains any of these words:any of these words:

anotheranother everyevery no oneno one

anybodyanybody everybodyeverybody nothingnothing

anyoneanyone everyoneeveryone oneone

anythinganything everythingeverything somebodysomebody

eacheach neitherneither someonesomeone

eithereither nobodynobody somethingsomething


Special Cases Special Cases (cont)(cont)

Everyone knows the rules of the game.Everyone knows the rules of the game.

Someone from the agency is waiting to Someone from the agency is waiting to see you.see you.



1.1. I hear that no one in the company (has, I hear that no one in the company (has, have) applied for the available position.have) applied for the available position.

2.2. Each person on the tour buses (was, Each person on the tour buses (was, were) given a special identification badge.were) given a special identification badge.

3.3. Nobody among the prize-winning chefs Nobody among the prize-winning chefs (has, have) ever tried this recipe.(has, have) ever tried this recipe.

4.4. Somebody who lives in one of these three Somebody who lives in one of these three buildings (is, are) moving.buildings (is, are) moving.

5.5. Apparently no one in the two classes Apparently no one in the two classes (knows, know) the correct answer to the (knows, know) the correct answer to the last test question.last test question.


A Number, The NumberA Number, The Number

When When the numberthe number is the subject of a is the subject of a sentence, the verb is singular. When sentence, the verb is singular. When a a numbernumber is the subject of a sentence, is the subject of a sentence, the verb is plural.the verb is plural.

The number of visitors to the Grand The number of visitors to the Grand Canyon is increasing.Canyon is increasing.

A number of my relatives are coming to A number of my relatives are coming to our family reunion.our family reunion.



1.1. Unfortunately, the number of members Unfortunately, the number of members present (is, are) fewer than a quorum.present (is, are) fewer than a quorum.

2.2. A number of my suits (needs, need) A number of my suits (needs, need) cleaning.cleaning.

3.3. Are you surprised that the number of Are you surprised that the number of negative votes (has, have) increased?negative votes (has, have) increased?

4.4. A large number of police officers (was, were) A large number of police officers (was, were) on duty to handle the huge crowds.on duty to handle the huge crowds.

5.5. This year the number of ball players traded This year the number of ball players traded (seems, seem) to have increased.(seems, seem) to have increased.


Firm NamesFirm Names

When the subject of a sentence is a When the subject of a sentence is a firm name, the verb is singular. firm name, the verb is singular. However, if the persons listed within However, if the persons listed within the firm name are referred to the firm name are referred to individually, the verb is plural.individually, the verb is plural.

I work for Jacoby and Florio, which is a I work for Jacoby and Florio, which is a law firm.law firm.

Brillhart, Cruger, and Harkavy are Brillhart, Cruger, and Harkavy are arriving here at 9:45 a.m.arriving here at 9:45 a.m.



1.1. Miller, Morton, and Merns (has, have) Miller, Morton, and Merns (has, have) been a good company for which to work.been a good company for which to work.

2.2. Karig, Cooley, and Duarte regularly Karig, Cooley, and Duarte regularly (attends, attend) proxy meetings.(attends, attend) proxy meetings.

3.3. Anderson, Barker, Metzenbaum, and Anderson, Barker, Metzenbaum, and Dane (is, are) on vacation.Dane (is, are) on vacation.

4.4. Where (is, are) Hargrove, Wohl, and Where (is, are) Hargrove, Wohl, and Tappan located?Tappan located?

5.5. I work for Tourette and Eshelman, which I work for Tourette and Eshelman, which (boasts, boast) of a reputation for (boasts, boast) of a reputation for integrity.integrity.

subject and verb agreement unit 18. 2 of 17 unit 18 subject and verb agreement singular and plural...

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