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Subject Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement is a fundamental grammar rule in English that dictates the verb must match the subject in number. Key rules include that singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs, and the verb agrees with the closest subject when joined by 'or' or 'nor'. The document also highlights common errors and provides practice exercises for mastering this topic.

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Kiara Maxine Guardiana
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9 views

Subject Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement is a fundamental grammar rule in English that dictates the verb must match the subject in number. Key rules include that singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs, and the verb agrees with the closest subject when joined by 'or' or 'nor'. The document also highlights common errors and provides practice exercises for mastering this topic.

Uploaded by

Kiara Maxine Guardiana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement is an essential grammar rule in English. It ensures that the verb matches
the subject in number (singular or plural). Below are the key rules, examples, and exercises to
master this topic.

Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs.


Example: She writes a letter.

2. Plural subjects take plural verbs.


Example: They write a letter.

3. When subjects are joined by 'and', use a plural verb.


Example: John and Mary are going to the market.

4. When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the closest subject.
Example: Either the teacher or the students are responsible.

5. Collective nouns may take singular or plural verbs depending on meaning.


Example: The team is playing well. / The team are arguing among themselves.

6. Indefinite pronouns (everyone, someone, nobody, etc.) take singular verbs.


Example: Everyone loves ice cream.

7. Titles of books, movies, and organizations take singular verbs.


Example: 'The Lord of the Rings' is a famous book.

8. Some nouns ending in -s (e.g., mathematics, news) take singular verbs.


Example: Mathematics is my favorite subject.

9. Amounts of money, time, or measurements usually take singular verbs.


Example: Ten dollars is not enough to buy that shirt.

10. In inverted sentences (questions, 'there is/are'), the verb agrees with the real subject.
Example: Where is your book? / There are many options available.

Common Errors in Subject-Verb Agreement

Incorrect: The list of items are on the desk.


Correct: The list of items is on the desk.
Incorrect: Neither the teacher nor the students was late.
Correct: Neither the teacher nor the students were late.

Incorrect: One of the boys play soccer.


Correct: One of the boys plays soccer.

Practice Exercises

1. The book on the table (is/are) mine.

2. Either my mother or my sisters (is/are) coming to the party.

3. Everyone (love/loves) a good story.

4. The news (is/are) surprising.

5. Ten kilometers (is/are) a long distance to walk.

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