Strategies for SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

1) BASIC SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Singular subject + singular verb

Example: The bridge is closed for repairs.

Plural subject + plural verb

Example: Many people hope that they will win the scholarship.

Singular subject + propositional phrase + singular verb

Example: That book on political parties is interesting.

Plural subject + propositional phrase + plural verb

Example: The ideas in that book are interesting.

Subject + and + subject + plural verb

Example: My father and mother give me a new car.

Each/every + subject + singular verb

Example: Every student has a schedule.

Each/every + subject + and + subject + singular verb

Example: Every man, woman and child is protected under the law.

Gerund + singular verb

Example: Washing the dishes is the children’s job.

2) USING EXPRESSIONS OF QUANTITY

Expressions of quantity + singular noun / mass noun + singular verb

Example: A lot of the equipment is new.

Expressions of quantity + plural noun + plural verb

Example: A lot of my friends are here.

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.

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

There + singular of be + singular subject

Example: There is a computer in this room.

There + plural of be + plural subject

Example: There are a lot of problems in the world.

4) SOME IRREGULARITIES

Singular nouns ending in -s + singular verb

Example: Mathematics is easy for Panha, and physics is easy for Udom.

Expressions of

time

money

distance

+ singular verb

Example: Eight hours of sleep is enough.

Plural nouns not ending in -s + plural verb

Example: All the children are playing in the garden.

Nouns of language + singular verb

Example: Chinese is his native language.

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.