Subject-Verb Agreement - Flashcards
Master the essential rules of subject-verb agreement for CSE Professional examinations. These flashcards cover all major agreement patterns, from basic singular-plural rules to complex constructions with compound subjects, indefinite pronouns, and special cases. Understanding these rules is crucial for achieving high scores in Verbal Ability sections of Philippine civil service and professional examinations.
Flashcards
What is the basic rule of subject-verb agreement?
Answer
A verb must agree with its subject in both person (first, second, third) and number (singular or plural). Singular subjects take singular verbs (with -s ending in present tense), while plural subjects take plural verbs (base form). Example: 'The teacher explains' (singular) vs. 'Teachers explain' (plural).
How do prepositional phrases affect subject-verb agreement?
Answer
Prepositional phrases DO NOT affect the verb form. The verb agrees only with the main subject, not with nouns in prepositional phrases. Example: 'A box of pencils belongs on my desk' - 'box' is the subject (singular), not 'pencils'. Cross out prepositional phrases to identify the true subject.
What verb form do indefinite pronouns like 'everyone,' 'somebody,' and 'nothing' take?
Answer
Singular indefinite pronouns (everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, nothing, something, anything, everything, each, either, neither) ALWAYS take singular verbs. Example: 'Everyone wants to attend the webinar' - use 'wants' not 'want'.
Which indefinite pronouns are always plural?
Answer
Four indefinite pronouns are always plural: both, few, many, several. They always take plural verbs. Examples: 'Both are ready,' 'Few understand the concept,' 'Many prefer online classes,' 'Several were absent.' Remember: BFMS (Both, Few, Many, Several) = Always Plural.
How do compound subjects joined by 'and' affect verb agreement?
Answer
Compound subjects joined by 'and' are usually plural and take plural verbs. Example: 'John and Mary are studying.' EXCEPTION: When the compound subject refers to ONE unit or idea, use singular verb. Example: 'Bacon and eggs is my favorite breakfast' (one meal unit).
What is the rule for compound subjects joined by 'or,' 'nor,' 'either...or,' or 'neither...nor'?
Answer
The verb agrees with the subject NEAREST to the verb. Examples: 'Either the teacher or the students are responsible' (plural 'are' because 'students' is nearer). 'Neither the students nor the teacher is available' (singular 'is' because 'teacher' is nearer). Remember: NEAREST SUBJECT WINS.
How do intervening phrases like 'together with,' 'as well as,' and 'along with' affect agreement?
Answer
These phrases DO NOT create compound subjects. The verb agrees only with the main subject before the phrase. Examples: 'The teacher, together with her students, is attending' (singular 'is' for 'teacher'). 'Nina, as well as her friends, walks daily' (singular 'walks' for 'Nina').
What is the difference between 'the number' and 'a number' in subject-verb agreement?
Answer
'The number' takes a SINGULAR verb, while 'a number' takes a PLURAL verb. Examples: 'The number of students is increasing' (singular 'is'). 'A number of students are participating' (plural 'are'). Remember: THE = singular, A = plural.
How do collective nouns affect verb agreement?
Answer
Collective nouns (family, team, group, class, jury, committee) can be singular or plural depending on meaning. SINGULAR when acting as one unit: 'The team is winning.' PLURAL when acting individually: 'The team are arguing among themselves.' Context determines the choice.
What verb forms do expressions of time, money, distance, and measurement take?
Answer
These expressions are treated as SINGLE UNITS and take singular verbs, even when plural in form. Examples: 'Twenty-five miles is too far' (singular 'is'). 'Five hundred pesos is expensive' (singular 'is'). 'Two hours is enough time' (singular 'is').
How do sentences beginning with 'There is/are' and 'Here is/are' work?
Answer
The verb agrees with the subject that FOLLOWS the verb, not with 'there' or 'here.' Examples: 'There are five students waiting' (plural 'are' for 'students'). 'Here is your book' (singular 'is' for 'book'). Find the real subject after the verb.
What agreement rule applies to fractions and percentages?
Answer
The verb agrees with the noun in the 'of' phrase that follows the fraction/percentage. Examples: 'Half of the cake is gone' (singular 'is' for 'cake'). 'Half of the students are absent' (plural 'are' for 'students'). The object of 'of' determines the verb form.
How do titles of books, movies, and organizations affect verb agreement?
Answer
Titles are ALWAYS treated as singular, even if they appear plural. Examples: 'The Usual Suspects is my favorite movie' (singular 'is'). 'Romeo and Juliet is a classic play' (singular 'is'). One title = one singular verb.
Which nouns ending in '-s' are actually singular?
Answer
Some '-s' nouns are singular: news, mathematics, economics, physics, statistics, politics, measles, mumps. Examples: 'Mathematics is difficult' (singular 'is'). 'The news was shocking' (singular 'was'). These represent single subjects despite the '-s' ending.
Which nouns are always plural and take plural verbs?
Answer
Some nouns are always plural: scissors, pants, glasses, pliers, shorts, trousers, tweezers, tongs. Examples: 'My glasses are broken' (plural 'are'). 'The scissors are sharp' (plural 'are'). These come in pairs and are always plural.
What agreement rules apply to gerunds, infinitives, and noun clauses as subjects?
Answer
Gerunds, infinitives, and noun clauses as subjects are SINGULAR. Examples: 'To learn is important' (singular 'is'). 'Swimming helps fitness' (singular 'helps'). 'What she said was true' (singular 'was'). These verbal forms act as singular subjects.
How do demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those) work as subjects?
Answer
'This' and 'that' take SINGULAR verbs. 'These' and 'those' take PLURAL verbs. Examples: 'This is correct' (singular 'is'). 'That looks good' (singular 'looks'). 'These are mine' (plural 'are'). 'Those were expensive' (plural 'were').
What is the agreement rule for 'each' and 'every' as adjectives or pronouns?
Answer
'Each' and 'every' are ALWAYS singular and take singular verbs. Examples: 'Each student has a book' (singular 'has'). 'Every teacher is dedicated' (singular 'is'). 'Each of them does homework' (singular 'does'). Remember: Each/Every = Always Singular.
How do you identify the subject in interrogative sentences?
Answer
In questions, the subject usually comes BETWEEN the helping verb and main verb. Convert to a statement to find the subject easily. Example: 'Are you ready?' becomes 'You are ready' - 'you' is the subject. 'Have they finished?' becomes 'They have finished' - 'they' is the subject.
What are the key differences between 'doesn't/don't' and 'has/have' in agreement?
Answer
Use 'doesn't' and 'has' with singular subjects (he, she, it, singular nouns). Use 'don't' and 'have' with plural subjects (we, they, you, plural nouns). Examples: 'He doesn't understand' vs. 'They don't understand.' 'She has finished' vs. 'We have finished.'
What is the subjunctive mood rule with 'were'?
Answer
In subjunctive mood (hypothetical, wishful situations), use 'were' for ALL persons, even with singular subjects. Examples: 'If I were rich, I would help' (not 'was'). 'I wish she were here' (not 'was'). This expresses contrary-to-fact or wishful situations.
How do 'one of those who' constructions work?
Answer
The verb in the relative clause agrees with the plural noun before 'who.' Example: 'He is one of those students who study hard' (plural 'study' agrees with 'students'). However, with 'only': 'He is the only one of those students who studies hard' (singular 'studies' with 'only').
Diagrams
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules Overview
Complete overview of all subject-verb agreement rules and categories covered in CSE Professional examinations
Subject-Verb Agreement Decision Process
Step-by-step decision process for determining correct verb form in subject-verb agreement
Indefinite Pronoun Classification
Classification system for indefinite pronouns and their verb agreement patterns