Strategies for SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
1) BASIC SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
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Singular subject + singular verb |
Example: The bridge is closed for repairs.
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Plural subject + plural verb |
Example: Many people hope that they will win the scholarship.
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Singular subject + propositional phrase + singular verb |
Example: That book on political parties is interesting.
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Plural subject + propositional phrase + plural verb |
Example: The ideas in that book are interesting.
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Subject + and + subject + plural verb |
Example: My father and mother give me a new car.
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Each/every + subject + singular verb |
Example: Every student has a schedule.
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Each/every + subject + and + subject + singular verb |
Example: Every man, woman and child is protected under the law.
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Gerund + singular verb |
Example: Washing the dishes is the children’s job.
2) USING EXPRESSIONS OF QUANTITY
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Expressions of quantity + singular noun / mass noun + singular verb |
Example: A lot of the equipment is new.
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Expressions of quantity + plural noun + plural verb |
Example: A lot of my friends are here.
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One of Each of Every one of |
+ plural noun + singular verb |
Example: One of the countries I would like to visit is Singapore.
|
None of plural sub + |
singular verb – formal English |
|
None of plural sub + |
plural verb – informal English (speech & writing) |
Example: None of the animals at the zoo is/are free.
|
The number of + subject + singular verb |
Example: The number of students in the class is fifteen.
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A number of + subject + plural verb |
Example: A number of students were late for class.
|
Either Neither |
+ singular sub + |
or nor |
+ singular subject + singular verb |
Example: Neither Tom nor his friend is going to the party.
|
Either Neither |
+ singular sub + |
or nor |
+ plural subject + plural verb |
Example: Either Tom or his friends try hard to study.
|
Either of Neither of |
+ plural noun + singular verb |
Example: Neither of the girls is going to the concert.
|
Singular sub + |
in addition to as well as with |
+ plural subject + singular verb |
Example: John, as well as his friends, is a talented musician.
|
Plural sub + |
in addition to as well as with |
+ singular subject + plural verb |
Example: The students, with their teacher, are at the flagpole.
3) USING THERE + BE
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There + singular of be + singular subject |
Example: There is a computer in this room.
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There + plural of be + plural subject |
Example: There are a lot of problems in the world.
4) SOME IRREGULARITIES
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Singular nouns ending in -s + singular verb |
Example: Mathematics is easy for Panha, and physics is easy for Udom.
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Expressions of |
time money distance |
+ singular verb |
Example: Eight hours of sleep is enough.
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Plural nouns not ending in -s + plural verb |
Example: All the children are playing in the garden.
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Nouns of language + singular verb |
Example: Chinese is his native language.
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Nouns of nationality + plural verb |
Example: The Chinese have an interesting history.
|
Adjective used as a noun + plural verb |
Example: The rich get richer; the poor get poorer.
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