Subject Verb Agreement For Copying

RULES ON SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

GENERAL RULES:

If the subject is singular, the verb should be singular. If the subject is

Specific Rules

An intervening phrase or clause does not affect

RULE # 1.

Two or more singular subjects joined by or

RULE # 2.

Two or more plural subjects joined by or or nor must

RULE # 3.

If one or more singular subjects are joined to one or more plural subjects by or or

RULE # 4.

RULE # 5. A

compound subject joined by and is generally plural and

Exceptions: If the parts of a compound subject add up to one thing, the compound subject is singular, it should take a

RULE # 6. There

is (was, has been) should be used when the subject that follows is singular; there are (were, have

linking verb must agree with its subject, regardless of

RULE # 7. A

Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a contraction of do not Rule #8.

Exceptions In the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you, the

The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, Rule #9.

All, none, some may take either a singular or a plural verb according to their meaning. Note:

Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and news require Rule #10.

When a relative pronoun is used as a subject of the verb, verb must agree in person and number with Rule #11.

Some nouns like pants, trousers, jeans, shears, scissors, tweezers, and Rule #12.

When a collective noun such as audience, army class committee, company, family, flock, swarm, group, herd, jury, team Rule #13.

When it refers to persons or things included in the Exception:

Nouns denoting quantity and amount such as number, half, part, portion, and plenty may take a singular or plural Rule #14.

Fractions take a singular verb if the object of the following ofphrase is singular; they take a plural verb if the object Rule #15.

If the subjects are affirmative and negative, the verb agrees in the person and Rule #16.

RULE # 17.

Remember that in the inverted word order, the subject