Subject verb agreement
When any of the following indefinite pronouns is the subject, the verb is singular: EVERYBODY, EACH, NO ONE, ANOTHER, ANYBODY, NOBODY, EVERY, NOTHING, EVERYTHING, ANYONE, EITHER, NEITHER, EVERYONE, SOMEBODY, SOMEONE.
Example: -Every man and woman in this hall is a member.
A singular subject followed by intervening words or phrases such as WITH, AS WELL AS, IN ADDITION TO, ACCOMPANIED BY, TOGETHER WITH and NO LESS THAN, takes a singular verb.
Examples: -Jake, accompanied by his sisters, is enrolling in PCC. -Daddy, as well as my brothers, is enjoying the party.
When fractions are used, the verb agrees with the object of the OF PHRASE.
Examples: -One half of the cake was consumed. -One fourth of the employees were attending the seminar.
In the use of mathematical expressions, the following are accepted:
Examples: -Seven plus three is ten. -Seven and three are ten. -Five times two are ten. -Five minus two is three.
The indefinite pronouns SOME, MOST, ALL, NONE are singular or plural according to the meaning of the sentence.
Examples: -Some of the girls were absent. -Some of the ice cream is left.
The name of a country is always regarded as singular.
Examples: -The Bahamas has beautiful beaches. -Philippines is a wondrous place.
Titles of books, plays, articles, movies, etc. are regarded as singular even though words in the title may be plural.
Examples: -"In Dreams Begin Responsibilities" is a story by D. Schwartz. -"Great Expectations" is a must-read novel.
When the word is preceded by A, it takes a plural verb. When it is preceded by THE, it takes a singular verb.
Examples: -A number of students are waiting outside. -The number of students outside is not recorded yet.
The indefinite pronouns SEVERAL, FEW, BOTH, MANY , OTHERS are always plural.
Examples: -Both were asking to be freed. -Several are seeking justice.
Two singular subjects joined by EITHER/OR or NEITHER/NOR take a singular verb.
Examples: -Either Mommy or Daddy is coming with me at the outbound. -Neither Ferdie nor Dulce is waiting for you.
When the amount of money refers to separate units, the verb is plural.
Examples: -Five 25-centavo coins were found -Sixty 100-peso bills were added to the budget.
These nouns may be singular or plural in meaning: ATHLETICS, GENETICS, POLITICS, GYMNASTICS, STATISTICS. When the noun refers to an organized activity, it is singular; when the noun refers to the activities of individuals within a group, or to varied activities, it is plural.
Examples: -Gymnastics is very popular among girls. -The gymnastics shown in the field today were outstanding.
If a sentence begins with HERE or THERE, the verb agrees with the subject which follows it.
Examples: -Here are the ways on how to preserve meat. -There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor.
If a sentence begins with the expletive IT, the verb is always singular even if the subject that follows the verb is plural.
Examples: -It is the schools which must assume the responsibility. -It is us who must take care of the environment.
Singular subjects joined by AND require a plural verb, except when they mean one thing.
Examples: -Larry and Mercy are reading novels. -My teacher and friend is here.
Names of organizations take a singular verb when the whole organization is referred to, and a plural verb when the members are referred to.
Examples: -Lopez and Sons is a successful organization. -Lopez and Sons are holding a twoday annual meeting.
Certain nouns, though plural in form, are singular in meaning and therefore take singular verbs.
Examples: -Mathematics is my favorite subject. -The latest news is alarming to the public.
If two subjects, one single and one plural, are connected by EITHER/OR or NEITHER/NOR, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Examples: -Neither the players nor the coach is joining. -Either the conductor or the singers are attending the concert.
If a singular subject is followed by a phrase containing a plural noun, the verb is singular.
Examples: -One of the boys is yelling so loud. -One of the members is against the rule.
Collective nouns may be singular or plural depending on whether the individual members are acting individually or collectively. These nouns are: COMPANY, GROUP, COMMITTEE, CROWD, JURY, FLOCK, TEAM.
Examples: -The committee is against the plan. (acting collectively-singular) -The committee are of different opinion. (acting individually plural)
The following words are always plural: PANTS, TROUSERS, PLIERS, SCISSORS, SHEARS, TONGS. However, if the word PAIR is used, the verb is singular.
Examples: -The pants are torn into two. -The pair of scissors was placed on the table.
Adjectives used as nouns are considered plural.
Examples: -The poor are to be helped. -The efficient are what this country needs.
Expressions of time, money, weight, and distance are singular even if the form is plural.
Examples: -Two years is a long time to wait. -One million dollars was given back to the owner.
The pronoun "YOU" always takes a plural verb.
Examples: -You were invited to come. -You are asked to clean the room. -You sing so well.
Basic Rule
Singular subjects must have singular verbs. Plural subjects take plural verbs.
