SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

9. Expression of time, money, weight and distance

1. Singular subject takes singular verb; plural
are singular even if the form is plural.
subject takes plural verb.
Examples:
2. The pronoun YOU always take the plural verb.
Two years is a long time to wait.
Examples:
One million dollars was given back to the
You were invited to come.
owner.
You are asked to clean the room.
10. When the amount of money refers to separate
You sing so well.
units, the verb is plural.
3. If the sentence begins with expletive THERE or
Examples: Five 25-centavo coins were found.
HERE, the verb agrees with the subject found
Sixty 100-peso bills were added to the budget.
after it.
11. The following words are always plural:
Examples:
PANTS SCISSORS
Here are the ways on how to preserve meat.
TROUSERS SHEARS
There is a huge gap between the rich and the
PLIERS
poor.
TONGS
4. If two subjects connected by “and” require a
If the word “pair” id used, the verb is singular.
plural verb except when they mean one thing.
Examples:
Examples:
The pants are torn into two.
Larry and Mercy are reading novels.
The pair of scissors was placed on the table.
My teacher and friend is here.
12. Certain nouns are plural in form but singular in
5. Compound subjects connected by OR, NOR,
meaning takes singular verb.
EITHER-OR, NEITHER-NOR, NOT ONLY-
Examples:
BUT ALSO, let the verb agree with the nearer
Mathematics is my favorite subject.
subject.
The latest news is alarming to the public.
Examples:
13. A NUMBER takes plural verb; THE NUMBER
Neither the players nor the coach is joining.
takes singular verb.
Either the conductor or the singers are attending
Examples:
the concert.
A number of students are waiting outside.
6. Indefinite pronouns; SEVERAL, FEW, BOTH,
The number of students outside is waiting.
MANY, OTHERS, are always plural.
14. When fractions are used, the verb agrees with
Examples:
the object of the “of phrase.”
Both were asking to be freed.
Examples:
7. Indefinite pronouns; SOME, MOST, ALL
One half of the cake was consumed.
NONE, are singular and plural according to the
One fourth of the employers were attending the
meaning in the sentence.
seminar.
Examples:
15. Titles of books, plays, articles, movies, etc. are
Some of the girls were absent.
regarded as singular even though words in the
Some of the ice cream is left.
title are plural.
8. When any of the following indefinite pronouns
Examples:
is the subject, the verb is always singular;
Power Puff Girls is my favorite cartoon movie.
EVERYBODY, EACH, NO ONE, ANOTHER,
Avengers was shown last month.
ANYBODY, NOBODY, EVERY, NOTHING,
16. If a sentence begins with the expletive IT, the
EVERYTHING, ANYONE, EITHER,
verb is always singular.
NEITHER, EVERYONE, SOMEBODY,
Example:
SOMEONE.
It is such a beautiful day.
Examples: Every man and woman in this hall is
It was done yesterday.
a member.