Subject verb agreement

1. SUBJECT VERBSUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENTAGREEMENT

2. Rule 1Rule 1
 Subjects and Subjects and verbsverbs must agree in must agree in
number.number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms This is the cornerstone rule that forms
the background of the concept.the background of the concept.
 The The dog dog growlsgrowls when he is angry. when he is angry.
The The dogs dogs growlgrowl when they are angry when they are angry

3. Rule 2Rule 2
 Don’t get confused by the words that comeDon’t get confused by the words that come
between the subject and verb; they do notbetween the subject and verb; they do not
affect agreement.affect agreement.
 The The dogdog, who is chewing on my jeans, , who is chewing on my jeans, isis usually usually
very goodvery good

4. Rule 3Rule 3
 If two subjects are joined by If two subjects are joined by andand, they, they
typically require a plural verb form.typically require a plural verb form.
 The cow and the pig The cow and the pig are jumpingare jumping over the over the
moon.moon.

5. Rule 4Rule 4
 verb is singular if the two subjects separatedverb is singular if the two subjects separated
by by andand refer to the same person or thing. refer to the same person or thing.
 Red beans and rice Red beans and rice isis my mom's favorite dish. my mom's favorite dish.

6. Rule 5Rule 5
 If one of the words If one of the words each, every, or noeach, every, or no comes comes
before the subject, the verb is singular.before the subject, the verb is singular.
 No No smoking or drinking smoking or drinking isis allowed. allowed.
 Every Every man and woman man and woman isis required to check in. required to check in.

7. Rule 6Rule 6
 If the subjects are both singular and areIf the subjects are both singular and are
connected by the words connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor,or, nor, neither/nor,
either/oreither/or, and , and not only/but alsonot only/but also the verb is the verb is
singular.singular.
 Jessica or Christian Jessica or Christian isis to blame for the accident. to blame for the accident.

8. Rule 7Rule 7
 The singular verb form is usually used forThe singular verb form is usually used for
units of measurement.units of measurement.
 Four Four quarts of oil quarts of oil waswas required to get the car required to get the car
running.running.

9. Rule 8Rule 8
 If one subject is singular and one plural andIf one subject is singular and one plural and
the words are connected by the words the words are connected by the words or,or,
nor, neither/nor, either/ornor, neither/nor, either/or, and , and notnot
only/but alsoonly/but also, you use the verb form of the, you use the verb form of the
subject that is nearest the verb.subject that is nearest the verb.
 Either theEither the bears bears or theor the lion lion hashas escaped from theescaped from the
zoo.zoo.
 Neither theNeither the lion lion nor thenor thebears bears havehave escaped fromescaped from
the zoo.the zoo.

10. Rule 9Rule 9
 Indefinite pronouns typically take singularIndefinite pronouns typically take singular
verbs.verbs.
 Everybody Everybody wantswants to be loved. to be loved.

11. Rule 10Rule 10
 Collective nouns like herd, senate, class,Collective nouns like herd, senate, class,
crowd, etc. usually take a singular verb form.crowd, etc. usually take a singular verb form.
 The The herdherd is stampeding is stampeding

12. Rule 11Rule 11
 Titles of books, movies, novels, etc. areTitles of books, movies, novels, etc. are
treated as singular and take a singular verb.treated as singular and take a singular verb.
 The Burbs The Burbs isis a movie starring Tom Hanks. a movie starring Tom Hanks.

13. Rule 12Rule 12
 Final Rule – Remember, only the subjectFinal Rule – Remember, only the subject
affects the verb!affects the verb!