The document outlines rules for subject-verb agreement, emphasizing that verbs should align with positive subjects in compound sentences and should agree with the subject of linking verbs. It explains how to properly use verbs for singular and plural subjects, as well as how modifiers like adjectives and adverbs can affect agreement. Various examples illustrate these grammatical principles.

1. Subject-Verb
Agreement
Rules

2. Agreement Rule for Positive and Negative Subjects
• If the sentence compounds a positive and a negative subject, and one is plural, the
other singular, the verb should agree with the positive subject
Examples:
– The department members but not the chairperson have decided to stand up
against the new regulation.
– It is not the faculty members but the Head of Department who takes this decision.
Positive subject Negative subjectVerb

3. Agreement Rule for Linking Verbs
• A linking verb (like "is," "are," "was," "were," "seem" etc.) agrees with its subject, not
its complement
Examples:
– Aaron Lerner’s field of study is antioxidants.
– Antioxidants are Aaron Lerner’s field of study.
Is or are??

4. Agreement Rule for Plural Verbs
• Verbs in the present tense for third-person, singular subjects (he, she, it, and anything
these words can stand for) are “singular” (s-endings)
Examples:
– He holds expertise in statistics.
– The diagram is well-labelled. It reveals all the parts of a microscope.
• Verbs for third person, plural subjects are “plural” in nature
Examples:
– They hold expertise in statistics.
– The diagrams are well-labelled. They reveal all the parts of a microscope.

5. Agreement of Phrases With Verb
• When using as well as, except, in addition to, no less than, and with, the
noun before these phrases determines the nature of verb (singular/plural)
Examples:
– The problem with this document is that it has exceeded the word limit.
– Lifestyle modification, in addition to insulin therapy, is essential for controlling
blood sugar level in diabetes.
– All the articles, except the last one, are published in international journals with
good impact factor.

6. Agreement Rule for Modifiers
• Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe (modify) other words or
groups of words
• Can be adverbs or adjectives preceding a verb or a noun, respectively
Examples:
– She delivered a good lecture on nutrition.
– He presented an organized and informative poster on protein supplements.
– The students worked diligently on the new project.
– The discussion on Human Gene Editing Project will be conducted here.

7. Agreement Rule for Modifiers: Adjectives and Adverbs
Adjectives, as modifiers, will
answer the following questions:
• What color?
• What size?
• How many?
• What condition?
• What emotion?
• What kind?
Adverbs, as modifiers, will answer
the following questions:
• When?
• Where?
• How?

8. Agreement Rule for Modifiers (contd.)
Sometimes, modifiers will get in-between a subject and its verb, but these modifiers
must not disturb the agreement between the subject and its verb
Example:
The book, that was co-authored by three authors, is likely to be published this year.

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Subject – Verb Agreement