FEUCAT Language Proficiency — Subject-Verb AgreementFlash Cards

What is the basic rule for subject-verb agreement?

Singular subjects take singular verbs (with -s), while plural subjects take plural verbs (without -s). Example: The student studies hard. The students study hard.

How do subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor' affect verb agreement?

The verb agrees with the LAST subject mentioned. Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are ready. Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.

What verb form do subjects joined by 'and' take?

Subjects joined by 'and' are plural and take base form verbs (without -s). Example: Boys and girls sell lanterns on the street. Fruits and vegetables are important in our diet.

List five singular indefinite pronouns that always take singular verbs.

Each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anybody, someone, somebody, everything, nothing, anything, something. Example: Everyone hates the boss. Each book has a unique cover.

Which indefinite pronouns are always plural?

Both, several, few, many always take base form verbs. Example: Both have already submitted the requirements. Several students participate in the contest.

How do you determine verb agreement with 'some of the pie' vs 'some of the chips'?

The indefinite pronouns all, any, most, none, and some can be singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to. 'Some of the pie was eaten' (pie is singular). 'Some of the chips were eaten' (chips is plural).

What is the difference between 'A mother and a wife were here' vs 'A mother and wife was here'?

When compound subjects refer to different people, use plural verb. When they refer to one person with multiple roles, use singular verb. First sentence = two different women. Second sentence = one woman who is both mother and wife.

How do intervening phrases affect subject-verb agreement?

Intervening phrases (with, along with, as well as, together with, including) do NOT change the subject's number. Example: The princess, along with 8 guards, has arrived late. The subject is 'princess' (singular), not 'guards'.

What is the rule for sentences beginning with 'There' or 'Here'?

Find the real subject that follows the verb and make the verb agree with it. Example: There are three gifts for you. Here comes Patricia. The subjects are 'gifts' (plural) and 'Patricia' (singular).

When do collective nouns take singular vs plural verbs?

Singular when acting as one unit: 'The group has decided to go camping.' Plural when acting as individuals: 'The group have decided to go to different camps.' Context determines unity vs individuality.

What's the difference between 'a number' and 'the number'?

'A number' takes plural verb (focus on quantity): 'A number of boys play DOTA.' 'The number' takes singular verb (focus on the specific number): 'The number of boys has increased.'

How do you handle 'one of the + plural noun'?

Always use singular verb because 'one' is the subject. Example: One of the flowers has died. One of the books was stolen. The focus is on ONE item from the group.

Why does 'Fifty pesos was all he gave me' use a singular verb?

Expressions of money, time, or measurement are treated as single units and take singular verbs, even if they look plural. Examples: A week is enough. Three kilometers is not far.

Why do subjects like 'mathematics' and 'politics' take singular verbs?

Some nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning. They represent single fields of study or concepts. Examples: Mathematics gives me a headache. Politics makes everyone play dirty.

Name three nouns that are always plural in form and meaning.

Scissors, pants, tweezers, spectacles, clothes are always plural and take base form verbs. Example: Your tweezers are on the countertop. His eyeglasses are lost again.

How do adjectives used as nouns affect verb agreement?

When adjectives like 'rich,' 'poor,' 'wicked' are preceded by 'the' and used as nouns, they are plural and take base form verbs. Example: The poor are less privileged. The rich have many opportunities.

How do fractions determine verb agreement?

Fractions are singular if the 'of' phrase contains a singular noun, plural if it contains a plural noun. Example: A quarter of the cake has been eaten (singular). A quarter of the cakes have been eaten (plural).

When do you use 'doesn't' vs 'don't'?

Use 'doesn't' with singular subjects and he/she/it. Use 'don't' with plural subjects and I/you/we/they. Examples: She doesn't want to be alone. They don't need her.

What verb forms do 'this/that' and 'these/those' require?

'This' and 'that' are singular and require -s form verbs. 'These' and 'those' are plural and require base form verbs. Examples: This is correct. These are correct. That works well. Those work well.

Compare the usage of 'many' vs 'much' in subject-verb agreement.

'Many' is plural and takes base form verbs: 'Many people are having trouble.' 'Much' is singular and takes -s form verbs: 'Much of his money was spent on food.' Many = countable, Much = uncountable.