RULES GOVERNING SUBJECT
VERB AGREEMENT
Subject-Verb Agreement: Detailed
Rules
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English
grammar that ensures clarity and correctness in communication. It refers to the
grammatical rule that the verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with
its subject. Understanding and applying these rules is essential for effective
writing and speaking. This detailed overview will explore the rules governing
subject-verb agreement, providing examples and exceptions to illustrate each
point.
1. Basic Rule of Subject-Verb
Agreement
The most fundamental rule of subject-verb agreement is that
a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural
verb.
- Singular Subject: A singular subject refers to one person, place,
thing, or idea. It typically requires a verb in its singular form.
Example:
- The dog barks loudly.
- Plural Subject: A plural subject refers to more than one person,
place, thing, or idea. It requires a verb in its plural form.
Example:
- The dogs bark loudly.
This basic rule applies to most subjects and verbs in
English, forming the foundation of subject-verb agreement.
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2. Compound Subjects
When subjects are joined by "and," they create a
compound subject, which generally takes a plural verb.
- Example:
- Jack and Jill go up the hill.
However, if the subjects refer to a single entity or are
considered one unit, a singular verb is used.
- Example:
- The bread and butter is on the table.
Additionally, when the compound subjects are joined by
"or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the closest
subject.
- Example:
- Either the cat or the dogs are making noise.
- Neither the dogs nor the cat is making noise.
3. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns can be tricky because they do not refer
to a specific person or thing. The verb must agree based on whether the
indefinite pronoun is singular or plural.
- Singular Indefinite Pronouns: "Anyone,"
"everyone," "someone," "no one,"
"each," and "either" are singular and require singular
verbs.
Example:
- Everyone is invited to the party.
- Plural Indefinite Pronouns: "Both," "few," "many,"
"several," and "all" are plural and require plural
verbs.
Example:
- Many are called, but few are chosen.
Some indefinite pronouns can be either singular or plural,
depending on the context:
- Example:
- All of the cake was eaten. (singular)
- All of the cakes were eaten. (plural)
4. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals or things
as a single entity. Depending on whether the group acts as a unit or as
individuals, the verb can be singular or plural.
- Singular Verb: When the group is acting as a single unit, use a
singular verb.
Example:
- The team wins the championship.
- Plural Verb: When the individuals within the group are acting
separately, use a plural verb.
Example:
- The team are wearing their new uniforms.
Common collective nouns include "team,"
"group," "committee," "class," and
"family."
5. Titles of Works
The titles of books, movies, or other works are usually treated
as singular, even if they refer to multiple entities.
- Example:
- "The Chronicles of Narnia is a popular
series."
6. Amounts and Quantities
When expressing amounts or quantities, the subject-verb
agreement depends on whether the amount is considered a single unit or refers
to individual items.
- Singular Verb: Use a singular verb when the amount is treated as a
single unit.
Example:
- Ten dollars is too much to pay for that shirt.
- Plural Verb: Use a plural verb when referring to individual items
or when the quantity includes multiple components.
Example:
- Fifty dollars were scattered across the table.
7. Subjects Separated from Verbs
When subjects are separated from verbs by phrases or
clauses, it can lead to confusion regarding subject-verb agreement. To ensure
proper agreement, identify the main subject of the sentence.
- Example:
- The bouquet of flowers smells lovely. (Bouquet is the
subject, which is singular.)
- Example:
- The students in the classroom are studying hard.
(Students is the plural subject.)
Phrases that can mislead include prepositional phrases,
which often begin with words like "in," "on,"
"with," and "between."
8. When to Ignore Modifiers
Modifiers such as adjectives, adverbs, and phrases can
sometimes complicate the identification of the subject. When determining
subject-verb agreement, focus on the subject itself, not on the modifiers.
- Example:
- The group of students is excited. (The subject is
"group," which is singular.)
- Example:
- The list of items is on the table. (The subject is
"list," which is singular.)
9. Inverted Sentences
Inverted sentences are those in which the verb comes before
the subject. Despite the inversion, the verb must still agree with the subject.
- Example:
- There are many options available. (The subject
"options" is plural, so the verb "are" is plural.)
- Example:
- There is a problem with the report. (The subject
"problem" is singular, so the verb "is" is singular.)
10. Complex Subjects
Complex subjects consist of a main subject and additional
information. The verb must agree with the main subject, regardless of
additional details.
- Example:
- The teacher, along with the students, is attending the
conference. (The subject is "teacher," which is singular.)
11. Special Cases
There are several special cases to consider in subject-verb
agreement, which can lead to confusion:
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- "None": "None" can be either singular or plural. It
is generally treated as plural when it refers to more than one thing.
Example:
- None of the cookies are left. (Plural)
- None of the money is missing. (Singular)
- "Either" and "Neither": These words are treated as
singular when referring to two items.
Example:
- Either the cat or the dog is responsible for the mess.
- "Everyone," "Somebody," and
"Nobody":
These words are always treated as singular.
Example:
- Nobody wants to be left out.
12. Intervening Phrases
Intervening phrases can often lead to confusion regarding
subject-verb agreement. It's important to ignore these phrases and focus on the
main subject.
- Example:
- The bouquet of flowers smells wonderful. (The main
subject is "bouquet," which is singular.)
13. Subject-Verb Agreement in
Questions
In questions, the subject often follows the verb. The same
rules apply for agreement.
- Example:
- Where are the keys? (The subject "keys" is
plural.)
- Example:
- Where is the book? (The subject "book" is
singular.)
14. Subject-Verb Agreement in
Sentences with "There"
In sentences beginning with "there," the subject
comes after the verb. Ensure the verb agrees with the actual subject.
- Example:
- There are five apples on the table. (The subject
"apples" is plural.)
- Example:
- There is a book on the table. (The subject
"book" is singular.)
15. Collective Nouns in Different
Contexts
Collective nouns can also vary based on the region. In American
English, collective nouns are often treated as singular, while in British
English, they may be treated as plural.
- American English Example:
- The team wins its game. (singular)
- British English Example:
- The team win their game. (plural)
16. Important Exceptions and
Irregularities
Some exceptions to the rules can lead to confusion. It's
important to recognize these irregularities and understand when they apply:
- Example:
- The cattle are grazing in the field. (Cattle is a
plural noun.)
- Example:
- The media is covering the event. (Media is treated as
singular.)
17. Non-Count Nouns
Non-count nouns, such as "information,"
"furniture," and "advice," are always treated as singular.
- Example:
- The information is valuable.
- Example:
- The furniture is expensive.
18. Subject-Verb Agreement in
Conditional Sentences
In conditional sentences, the subject-verb agreement remains
the same as in non-conditional sentences.
- Example:
- If he runs fast, he wins the race. (The subject
"he" is singular, so the verb "wins" is also
singular.)
- Example:
- If they work hard, they will succeed. (The subject
"they" is plural, so the verb "will succeed" is
plural.)
19. Summary of Key Rules
- Singular subjects require
singular verbs.
- Plural subjects require
plural verbs.
- Compound subjects joined by
"and" take a plural verb; those joined by "or" or
"nor" agree with the closest subject.
- Indefinite pronouns can be
singular or plural based on their meaning.
- Collective nouns can take
singular or plural verbs depending on context.
- Titles of works are singular.
- Amounts treated as single
units take singular verbs.
- Inverted sentences still
follow subject-verb agreement rules.
- Subject-verb agreement
remains the same in questions and conditional sentences.
20. Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is a critical aspect of English
grammar that ensures clarity and correctness in communication. By understanding
the rules and exceptions governing subject-verb agreement, writers and speakers
can enhance their proficiency and convey their ideas more effectively. Mastery
of these rules not only improves grammatical accuracy but also strengthens the
overall quality of written and spoken language.
