2. ON SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
A predicate (verb) normally agrees with its
subject in person and number.
The supervisors (conduct) a surprise visit.
The superintendent (call) for a meeting.
I (want) to pass the qualifying exam for SHs.
He/She (examine) the documents.
You (analyze) the situation carefully.
3. A verb should not agree with a noun that
intervenes between it and the subject.
The PSDS, together with the principals, (agree)
to hold a symposium on K to 12.
The child, as well as the other members of the
family, (attend) the Family Day.
The cause for all the noise and confusion (be) not
obvious.
4. Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning
require a singular verb.
The news about Zubiri’s resignation (be)
unexpected.
Measles (be) a communicable disease.
The BSP headquarters (be) open from Monday
to Friday.
5. Compound nouns plural in meaning take plural
verb; compound nouns singular in meaning take
singular verb.
Zubiri’s wife and relatives (respect) his decision.
The principal and the supervisor (be) instructional
leaders.
The President and Commander-in-Chief (be)bent
on transforming the AFP.
Partnership and collaboration (be) important
among school stakeholders.
6. Subjects that indicate a quantity or number
require a singular verb.
Thirty minutes is/are a long time to wait.
Ten kilometers is/are the distance between
Legazpi and Daraga.
Three-fourths of the area is/are underwater due
to the typhoon.
Twenty pesos is/are enough for aCornetto ice-
cream.
7. If the subjects differ in number or person, the
verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Neither the principal nor the teachers is/are
accountable to the school’s performance.
My friends or I are/am concerned with the
welfare of the children.
Either the class or the teacher observes/observe
time- on-task policy.
8. Relative pronouns referring to plural
antecedents generally require plural verbs.
Each of those who attend/attends the seminar
should share their thoughts and insights.
She is one of the best teachers who has/have
influenced me.
9. If only or some similar qualifying word precedes
one, the verb in the subordinate clause is
singular.
He is the only one in the group who
approve/approves the idea of same sex
marriage.
One of the lawmakers propose/proposes to
change the start of school year from June to
September.
10. A collective noun takes a singular verb when the
group is regarded as a unit, a plural verb when
the individuals of the group are regarded
separately.
The committee has/have appointed a new chair.
The committee has/have not been unanimous in
their decision.
11. ON PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in
gender, number, and person.
The parents raised their/his hands in protest.
Aling Nena asked her son to answer his/her
assignment.
Everybody expresses his/her sentiment
during the meeting.
12. A noun or indefinite pronoun used as an
antecedent takes a pronoun in the third person.
If a man wants to succeed, he/she must work
hard.
Neither one of you has finished your/her
assignment.
13. Singular indefinite pronouns require singular
verb; plural indefinite pronouns use plural verbs.
Each one in the school community has/have a
role to play to educate the child.
Many is/are called but only few is/are chosen.
14. A collective noun used as an antecedent takes a
singular pronoun if the group is thought of as a
unit, and a plural pronoun if it is thought of in
terms of its individual members.
The group of devotees is/are shouting its/their
praises.
The group of participants raised its/their
questions regarding the issue.
