SerranoNotes+-+Chap+9+Subject+and+Verb+Agreement+-+Rules+with+examples

Subject/Verb Agreement
 * __RULES &EXAMPLES__**

1. Intervening Expressions → the number of the verb must be the same as the number of the subject 1.) The case that they submitted to the honor council __was__ convincing. -The subject is evidence so the verb must be was and not were 2.) The new parking lot with its extra spots __fills__ a long-felt need. -The phrase with its extra spots has nothing to do with the verb only the subject lot does therefore the verb is fills 3.) Lists of notes __were posted__ on the internet. -The subject is lists (plural) therefore the verb is were and not was 4.) A list of cuts for the baseball team __was posted__ on the coach’s door. -The subject list is singular so therefore the verb must be was and not were 5.) The terms for the test __were__ helpful -The subject of the sentence terms is plural so therefore the verb must be were 2. Verb Preceding the Subject→ the verb comes before the subject make sure to recognize the true subject 1.) There are many criminals in the world today. - it is are and not is because of criminals being plural 2.) There is only a bed in his bedroom nothing else. - use is because of bed being singular 3.) Where is Conrad going tonight. - you use is because Conrad is singular 4.) What is David doing tonight. - use is because David is the subject 5.) There are many problems at schools these days. - use are because problems is the subject 3. Indefinite Pronouns→ the indefinite adjectives such as //everybody// is singular as well as the rest similar to that except //none// which is either singular or plural 1.) Each of the players has his specialty. - use has because each is singular 2.) None of us are interested. - can be are or is 3.) Everyone needs a role model. - is needs because everyone is singular 4.) Is either of you ready for the test. - either is singular 5.) Each student has a special talent. - has because each is singular 4. Compound Subjects→ subjects that are joined by //and// normally requires a plural verb 1.) Where are the oranges and apples. - require a plural verb because compound subjects 2.) My former teacher and coach has left MBA - because verb must be singular because referring to same person 3.) Correct grammar and writing skills are required to be a writer. - plural verb because of compound subjects 4.) Athletic ability and hard work are required to be a good athlete. - plural verb because compound subjects 5.) Studying and help sessions are required to succeed at MBA. - plural verb because compound subjects 5. Subjects Joined by //Or// and //Nor//→ subjects joined by //or// or //nor// take a singular verb unless one is singular and one is plural then the verb agrees with the one closer to it. 1.) Neither the dog nor the puppies have been feed. - plural subject closest to verb so singular verb is needed 2.) Neither the offense nor defense were at fault - 2 singular subjects need plural verb 3.) Neither the puppies nor the dog has been fed - because singular dog is closest plural verb is used 4.) Neither my sisters nor I am going - because I is closer you use am 5.) Neither I nor my sisters are going - since sisters is closer you use are 6. Nouns Plural in Form→ use a singular verb with nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning 1.) The news is reported at 5 o’clock. - news plural need a singular verb 2.) Chicken poxes is a contagious disease. - is plural so a singular verb is needed 3.) Sports attract him. - sports plural need singular verb 4.) Five dollars is too much to tip the waiter. - dollars is plural need a singular verb 5.) The knives are sharp. - knives plural need a singular verb 7. Determining Modifiers→ the number of the verb is determined by the number of the noun in the prepositional phrase 1.) Some of the cookie is missing. - cookie is singular 2.) Some of the cookies are missing. - cookies is plural 3.) The number of fans at the game was small. - number requires singular verb 4.) A small number of fans were at the game. - a number requires a plural verb 5.) Some of the food is missing. - pie is singular 8. Subject, //To Be// Forms, and Predicate Nouns→ when there is one noun followed by another following the verb //to be// the first noun is the subject and the verb must agree with it 1.) The only fruit on the market now is apples. - fruit is singular 2.) The only fruits on the market now are bananas and oranges. - Fruits is plural 3.) Watermelons are the only fruit on the market now - watermelons is plural 4.) A grape is the only fruit left. - grape is singular 5.) Peaches are selling rapidly these days. - peaches is plural 9. Relative Pronoun as Subject→ when a relative pronoun is the subject of a sentence the verb agrees with the antecedent of the pronoun 1.) This is the player who is heavily recruited - player is singular 2.) These are players who have great ability. - players is plural 3.) Should I, who does not meet the age requirements, be allowed to win the contest - I is singular 4.) Scott is one of those irresponsible people who never does his homework. - Scott is singular 5.) Ryland is one of those tired people who is always sleeping. - Ryland is singular 10. Collective Nouns→ collective nouns may either take a singular or a plural verb depending on how you view the group 1.) The team is undefeated. - Is because team is being considered one 2.) The workers want higher pay. - workers plural 3.) The team knows their assignments - team is one unit 4.) The crew are making investigations. - different members are making different investigations must use are 5.) The team lost the game - One team so its singular

11. Nouns with Foreign Plurals→ make sure to know the certain nouns that are plural such as: media, crises, and alumni 1.) He is an alumni of MBA. - must be alumni not alumnus because of he being singular 2.) The media is corrupt. - media is singular 3.) The class of 2000 are MBA alumnus. - alumnus is plural 4.) The syllabi is posted on the wiki. - syllabi is singular 5.) The previous syllabus are taken off the wiki. - syllabus is plural