Subjects and verbs must agree in number.
1. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular too.
Example: She writes every day.
Exception: When using the singular "they," use plural verb forms.
Example: The participant expressed satisfaction with their
job. They are currently in a managerial role at the organization.
2. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Example: They write every day.
Sometimes, however, it seems a bit more complicated than this.
3. When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns
or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb.
Example: The doctoral student and the committee
members write every day.
Example: The percentage of employees who called in
sick and the number of employees who left their jobs within 2
years are reflective of the level of job satisfaction.
4. When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs
throughout the sentence must agree with the subject.
Example: Interviews are one way to collect data
and allow researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of
participants. Interviews help to clarify the doubts and helps
interviewee to understand the interviewer’s point of views.
Example: An assumption is something that is generally accepted
as true and is an important consideration when conducting a
doctoral study and accept different points of views and operate in
its own direction.
5. When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember
that the verb still agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in
the phrase following the subject of the sentence.
Example: The student, as well as the committee
members, is excited.
Example: The student with all the master’s degrees is very
motivated.
Example: Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage classroom
participation include using small groups and clarifying
expectations.
Example: The focus of the interviews was nine purposively
selected participants.
6. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by
"or" or "nor," use a singular verb.
Example: The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal
before proceeding.
7. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun
or pronoun joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the
part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the
rule of proximity.
Example: The committee members or the student writes every
day.
8. The words and phrases "each," "each one," "either," "neither,"
"everyone," "everybody," "anyone," "anybody," "nobody,"
"somebody," "someone," and "no one" are singular and require a
singular verb.
Example: Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.
Example: Neither alternative hypothesis was accepted.
Example: I will offer a $5 gift card
to everybody who participates in the study.
Example: No one was available to meet with me at the preferred
times.
9. Noncount nouns take a singular verb.
Example: Education is the key to success.
Example: Diabetes affects many people around the world.
Example: The information obtained from the business
owners was relevant to include in the study.
Example: The research I found on the topic was limited.
10. Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds,
surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural
form and take a plural verb.
Example: The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.
Example: The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless
population in the city.
Example: Locally produced goods have the advantage of shorter
supply chains.
11. In sentences beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject
follows the verb. Since "there" is not the subject, the subject should
be chosen as per the verb used.
Example: There is little administrative support.
Example: There are many factors affecting teacher retention.
12. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but
are considered singular and take a singular verb. Some examples are
"group," "team," "committee," "family," and "class."
Example: The group meets every week.
Example: The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.
EXERCISE 1
Underline the subject (or compound subject) and then identify
the verb that agrees with it.
1. Everyone in the telecom focus group (has/have)
experienced problems with cell phones.
2. Your friendship over the years and your support (has/have)
meant a great deal to us.
3. Hamilton Family Center, a shelter for teenage runaways
in San Francisco, (offers/offer) a wide variety of
services.
4. The main source of income for Trinidad (is/are) oil and
pitch.
5. The chances of your being promoted (is/are) excellent.
6. There (was/were) a Pokémon card stuck to the
refrigerator.
7. Neither the professor nor his assistants (was/were)
able to solve the mystery of the eerie glow in the
laboratory.
8. Many hours at the driving range (has/have) led us to
design golf balls with GPS locators in them.
9. Discovered in the soil of our city garden (was/were) a
button dating from the Civil War dating from the turn of
the century.
10. Every year, during the midsummer festival, the
smoke of village bonfires (fills/fill) the sky.
11. The story performers (was/were) surrounded by
children and adults eager to see magical tales.
EXERCISE 2
Edit the following sentences to eliminate problems with subject-
verb agreement and write the edited sentence. If a sentence is
correct, write “correct.”
1. Jack’s first days in the infantry was gruelling.
2. One of the main reasons for elephant poaching are
the profits received from selling the ivory tusks.
3. Not until my interview with Dr. Chang were other
possibilities opened to me.
4. Batik cloth from Bali, blue and white ceramics from
Cambodia, and a bocce ball from Turin has made
Hannah’s room the talk of the dorm.
5. The board of directors, ignoring the wishes of the
neighbourhood, has voted to allow further
development.
6. Measles is a contagious childhood disease.
7. The presence of certain bacteria in our bodies are
one of the factors that determines our overall health.
8. Leah is the only one of the many applicants who has
the ability to step into this job.
9. Neither the explorer nor his companions was ever seen
again.
