Subjects and Verbs Stop Fighting: Subject-Verb Agreement
When subjects and verbs cannot and do not agree, the resulting
battle creates an incorrect sentence. More and more this problem
appears not only in speech but also in writing. However,
learning how to make subjects and verbs agree isn't very hard.
First one needs to recognize the problem areas and then correct
the error.
A verb must agree in number with its subject: A singular subject
requires a singular verb; a plural subject requires a plural
verb. Let's examine some rules of subject-verb agreement,
instances of incorrect usage, and how to repair the problem.
1. If a group of words including one or more nouns, such as an
object of a prepositional phrase, comes between a subject and
verb, be sure the verb agrees with the subject, not one or more
nouns in the group of words or prepositional phrase. A subject
separated from its verb still must agree with the verb.
Error: According to Mary Ellen, the boys on the team
arrives late every day.
Correct: According to Mary Ellen, the boys on the team
arrive late every day.
Error: The sea otter as well as the sea lion inhabit the
waters of Alaska.
Correct: The sea otter as well as the sea lion inhabits
the waters of Alaska.
2. Singular subjects joined by and should have a plural
verb under most circumstances.
If the parts of the subject refer to more than one thing, use a
plural verb.
Error: Oklahoma City and Tulsa is the largest cities in
the state.
Correct: Oklahoma City and Tulsa re the largest cities in
the state.
If the parts of the subject refer to the same thing, use a
singular verb.
Error: The capital and largest city are Oklahoma City.
Correct: The capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.
3. When a compound subject is joined by or, either-or, nor, or
neither-nor, the verb agrees in number to the subject closest to
it.
Error: Either hyperbole or personification are used in
each poem.
Correct: Either hyperbole or personification is used in
each poem.
Error: Mary or Terry are next.
Correct: Mary or Terry is next.
4. A compound subject preceded by many a, every, a number,
the number or each requires a singular verb.
Error: Each man and woman enjoy a delicious meal.
Correct: Each man and woman enjoys a delicious meal.
5. A verb agrees with the subject rather than a subject
complement/ predicate nominative.
Error: The books on the table is the package that arrived
today.
Correct: The books on the table are the packages that
arrived today.
6. Make sure the verb agrees with its subject even if another
word or phrase begins the sentence and/or the subject follows
the verb (inverted order).
Error: There is several reasons for the test results.
Correct: There are several reasons for the test results.
Error: On much of the Alaskan landmass lives many animals.
Correct: On much of the Alaskan landmass live many
animals.
7. A singular subject that ends in s requires a singular
verb.
Error: The television series Da Vinci's Inquest
take place in Canada.
Correct: The television series Da Vinci's Inquest
takes place in Canada.
8. A singular verb is needed for the title of a work as the
subject.
Error: The Princess Diaries tell the story of a
young woman who discovers she is a princess.
Correct: The Princess Diaries tells the story of a
young woman who discovers she is a princess.
9. A noun naming an amount that is used as a subject takes a
singular verb.
Error: Six months of darkness make winter difficult in
the far north.
Correct: Six months of darkness makes winter difficult in
the far north.
10. Collective nouns may be singular or plural as used.
If the subject is considered as a whole group, a singular verb
is required.
Error: A group of Native Americans, the Cherokee, live in
northeast Oklahoma.
Correct: A group of Native Americans, the Cherokee, lives
in northeast Oklahoma.
If the subject refers to each individual in the group, a plural
verb is needed.
Error: The group offers different opinions as to how to
spend the money.
Correct: The group offer different opinions as to how to
spend the money.
11. Indefinite pronouns take a singular or plural verbs under
deferent circumstances.
If the indefinite pronoun is singular, a singular verb is needed.
Error: Each of the girls take art.
Correct: Each of the girls takes art.
If the pronoun could be either singular or plural but refers to
a singular noun, a singular verb is needed.
Error: Some of the catch are bass.
Correct: Some of the catch is bass.
If the pronoun, which could be either singular or plural, refers
to a plural noun, a plural verb is required.
Error: Some of the parts is sold at discount stores.
Correct Some of the parts are sold at discount stores.
Keeping a few guidelines at hand can help writers remember how
to make those subjects and verbs agree. Then writing becomes
more peaceful and smooth.