This document outlines 20 rules for subject-verb agreement in the English language. It explains that a verb must agree with its subject in person and number, taking a singular form for a singular subject and plural form for a plural subject. Some key points covered include: - Pronouns like "you" and "I" take plural verbs. - Indefinite pronouns like "everyone" are singular. - Subjects joined by "and" usually take plural verbs. - Verbs must agree with the subject even if interrupted by a phrase. - Units like time and amounts take singular verbs.

1. SUBJECT– VERB
AGREEMENT RULES
Presented by:
Ma’am Aiza Santos

2. Why do we need to be
English-proficient?

3. Watchthis…

5. Subject- Verb Agreement
A verb changes
whenever its subject
changes in number
and person.

6. Herearetherules:
1. A verb must agree
with its subject in
person and in
number. A singular
subject
takes singular verb,

7. Singular subject-one
person or object.
Plural subject- two or
more persons or objects
Singular verb- -s or –es
form
Plural verb- base or
simple form

8. Linking Verbs / Helping
verbs
Singular Plural
is are
was were
am
has have

9. Examples:
•Marie asks many
questions about life.
•Marie and Ana ask many
questions about life.
•The students ask
many questions

10. 2. Pronouns you and
I always require
the plural form of
the verb even in
cases where they
refer to only

11. Examples:
•Jane, you need to
listen attentively.
• Students, you need to
listen attentively.
•I need to finish my
work today.

12. 3. Singular pronouns take
singular verbs; plural
pronouns take plural verbs.
Examples:
• She is a diligent worker.
• They are diligent workers.
•He wants to be rich.
•We want to be rich.

13. 4. Indefinite pronouns are
singular. They always take
the singular form of the
verb.
each anybody
nobody
everyone someone
either

14. Examples:
•Everyone is required to
attend the workshop.
•Somebody knocks on
the door.
•No one was absent
during the

15. 5. Subjects joined by
and usually takes
plural verbs. Those
joined by and and
mean a single idea
take a singular
verb.

16. Examples:
• John’s book and videotape
were missing.
• Grilled ham and cheese is
what I often have for
breakfast.
• My sister and my best friend
are very supportive.
• My sister and best friend is

17. 6. Compound subjects
joined by either-or and
neither-nor take verbs
that agree with the nearer
subject.
Examples:
• Either the teacher or the
students prepare for the
mass action.

18. 7. When a compound
subject includes one
affirmative and one
negative part, make the
verb agree with the
affirmative part.
Examples:
• You, not she, are allowed
to leave.

19. 8. The expression a number
requires plural verb, while
the number requires
singular verb.
Examples:
• The number of people in the
court represents the vigilant
citizenry.
•A number of media men now

20. 9. Some, half, all, none, part
may take either a singular
or plural verb depending on
how they were used in the
context.
Plural-if they mean a
number
Singular- if they refer

21. Examples:
•Some of the apple pie
was eaten.
•Some of the apple pies
were eaten.
•All is finished.
•All were present in the

22. 10. If the subject and the
verb are interrupted by
an intervening phrase,
such as including, along
with, with, together with,
etc. ,the verb must still
agree with the simple
subject.

23. Examples:
•Mary, together with
her children, prays the
rosary.
•I, as well as my friends,
am willing to help.

24. 11. In inverted sentences,
make the verb agree with
the real subject, which
usually follows the verb.
Examples:
• There was only one person
who disagreed with the
president.

25. Examples:
•Here comes Rex.
•Here come Rex and
Tim.
•There goes the culprit.
•There go the culprits.

26. 12. Nouns plural in form
but singular in number
require singular verbs.
news gymnastics
mathematics
economics
physics measles
species athletics

27. Examples:
• Our politics needs sensible
and compassionate leaders.
• Mathematics is easy if you
are diligent.
•Last night’s news was
shocking.

28. 13. A collective noun takes a
singular verb if it is
regarded as a unit.
However, it takes a plural
verb if it refers to the
individuals in the group.
team committee
jury army

29. Examples:
• The school makes its stand
regarding the
controversial issue.
• The committee debate on
the matter.
•The jury have
disagreed on the

30. 14. Units such as
amounts, size, time,
quantities or
distances, when used
as a subject of the
sentence require
the singular form of

31. Examples:
• Five million pesos is the
pot money for today’s
game.
• The first three months
was crucial.
• Two liters of water is
required for the

32. 15. For titles of movies,
songs, books, etc., use the
singular form of the verb.
Examples:
• “The Three Musketeers” was
written by Alexander
Dumas.
•“Charlie’s Angels” is her

33. 16. Fractions require
verbs depending on the
headword in the of-
phrase. If the
headword is singular,
the verb required is
singular. If the
headword is plural, a

34. Examples:
• Four-fifths of the
mangoes have been sold.
• Two-fourths of the pizza
was already consumed.
•One-half of the
watermelons are rotten.

35. 17. Nouns plural both
in form and meaning
such as tongs,
scissors, trousers,
pliers, shears, pants,
require plural verbs.

36. Examples:
• The scissors I borrowed
from you are very sharp.
• The pliers need
lubrication.
• The pants are expensive.

37. 18. Pronouns many,
several, a few, some,
and both take plural
verbs.
Examples:
• Many are called but few
are chosen.
•Both of them need to

38. 19. Adjectives used as
nominals require plural
verbs.
Examples:
•The poor are to be
helped.
•The brave make good

39. 20. The pronoun it is
always followed by a
singular verb.
Examples:
•It is you they want to
see.
•The floor has cracks

40. Activity

41. Thank You!