Agreement between Subject and Verb

Agreement between Subject and Verb

It is natural that nouns in the singular agree with the singular verb, and nouns in the plural take the plural verb.

e.g. She lives in China.

More people live in Asia than in any other continent.

1. When the subject of the sentence is complex, the following verb must agree with the main noun in the sentence.

e.g. The only excuse that he gave for his actions was that he was tired.

2. We have difficulties with collective nouns:

a) Some of them always have a singular form and take a singular verb: the aristocracy, the bourgeoisie, the peasantry, furniture, machinery, linen.

e.g. The aristocracy is proud of having blue blood.

b) Other collective nouns also have the singular form, but agree with the plural verb (nouns of multitude). Here belong: the public, police, people, the gentry, the clergy, infantry, cattle, poultry.

e.g. The police have arrested a criminal.

c) Still other collective nouns may have either the singular or the plural form. Here belong: family, crew, group, team, staff, company, party, band, etc. When these nouns are used in the plural, they agree with a plural verb.

e.g. All the families in our neighbourhood were alike.

These nouns in the singular form may take either a singular or a plural verb. We use the singular verb if we see the institution or organization as a whole unit, a collective body.

e.g. The team has won the game.

Their family is very happy.

But if we see it as a collection of individuals (members are thought of individually), we use the plural verb.

e.g. The team are now resting.

My family keep a close eye on me.

d) Some nouns are usually plural and take a plural verb. These include: belongings, clothes, goods, outskirts, etc.

e.g. There were clothes scattered about the room.

3. Some nouns always end in –s and look as if they are plural, but when we use them as the subject of a sentence they have the singular verb. Here belong: news, means, some sports, some diseases, some academic disciplines (the latter agree with the plural verb when denote general use of a science, but not the science itself).

e.g. Statistics was always my worst subject .

Statistics are able to prove anything you want them to (= numerical information).

5. After per cent (also percent and %) we use a singular verb.

e.g. Around 10 per cent of the forest is destroyed each year.

Note: In phrases where we can use of + plural noun we use a plural verb.

e.g. I would say that about 50 per cent of the houses need major repairs.

But when we use a singular noun that can be thought of either as a whole unit or a collection of individuals, we can use a singular or plural verb.

e.g. Some 80 per cent of the electorate is expected to vote (or “are expected).

6. With e.g. two thirds of +a plural noun, we use a plural verb, with a singular noun we use a singular verb.

e.g. Two thirds of the food was eaten immediately.

e.g. Two thirds of the books were mine.

7. With any of, either of, neither of, none of + a plural noun, we can use a singular or plural verb (however, we prefer a singular verb in careful written English).

e.g. I don’t think any of them knows (or know) where the money is hidden.

Neither of the French athletics has (or have) won this year.

But with one of, each of, every one of and a plural noun, we use a singular verb.

e.g. Each of the boys in the class has his own notebook.

8. With a/the majority of, a number of, a lot of, a variety of, plenty of, all (of), some (of), a couple of, a group of, a percentage of and a plural noun, we use a plural verb.

But if we say the number of, the variety of, the percentage of we use a singular verb.

e.g. A number of refugees have been turned back at the border

The number of books in the library has risen to over 5 million.

9. With any of, none of, the majority of, a lot of, plenty of, all (of), some (of) and an uncountable noun, we use a singular verb.

e.g. All the furniture was destroyed in the fire.

10. With each and every and a singular noun we use a singular verb.

e.g. Every room has its own bathroom

But: The boys have each drawn a picture.

11. With everyone, everybody, everything (and similar words beginning any-, some- and no-) we use a singular verb.

e.g. Practically everyone thinks that Judith should be given the job.

12. When a subject has two or more items joined by and, we use a plural verb:

e.g. Jean and David are moving back to Australia.

However, phrases connected by and can also be followed by singular verbs if we think of them as making up a single item.

e.g. Meat pie and peas is Tom’s favourite at the moment (or meat pie and peas are…)

13. When a subject is made up of two or more items joined by: either …. or or neither ….. nor, not only … but (also), we use a singular verb if the last item is singular (although a plural verb is sometimes used in informal English), and a plural verb if it is plural.

e.g. Either the station or the cinema is a good place to meet (are).

Neither the President nor his representatives are to attend the meeting.

If the last item is singular and the previous item plural, we can use a singular or plural verb.

e.g. Either the teachers or the principal is (are) to blame for the accidents.

14. When two subjects in the singular are connected by the conjunctions as well as, together with, the predicate is in the singular.

e.g. Activity, as well as cell structure, is an essential condition of life.

If the subjects are of different person or number, the predicate agrees with the subject that stands first.

e.g. The Volga, as well as its affluents, is very picturesque.

15. If the subject is expressed by the word-group many a.., the predicate is in the singular.

e.g. The banks of the Avon are beautiful in these parts. Many an artist comes there.

16. With expressions of duration, distance or money meaning “a whole amount” we use a singular verb.

e.g. Two weeks isn’t long to wait.

Ten miles is a long way to ride.

Two thousand pounds is to much to spend on this house.

17. When the predicate-verb precedes a number of subjects, it is often in the singular especially if the sentence begins with here or there.

e.g. And here was a man, experience and culture

If the subjects are of different number, the predicate agrees with the subject that stands first.

e.g. There was much traffic at night and many mules on the roads.

18. If the subject is expressed by an interrogative pronoun (who, what), the predicate is usually in the singular.

e.g. Who is to apply to her for permission?

If the question refers to more than one person, the predicate may be used in the plural.

e.g. Who are his parents?

19. Plural names of countries and organizations have a singular verb.

e.g. The USA is smaller than Canada.

20. Compound nouns joined by more than one and a singular noun have a singular verb.

e.g. More than one person disagrees.

21. After one of and a plural noun we use a singular verb

e.g. One of your children has lost a shoe.

When it is followed by a relative clause, we use a plural verb.

e.g. She is one of the women who have climbed Everest.

One of the things that really make me angry is people who don’t answer letters.

(In informal English singular verb is possible).

22. A subject whose main word is an –ing or to-form requires a singular verb.

e.g. Writing good letters takes a long time.

Ex 1 Choose between a singular or a plural verb to use it in the following sentences.

1. The trousers you bought for me do/does not fit me.

2. Physics was/were my favourite subject at school.

3. Fortunately, the news was/ were not as bad as we had expected.

4. The police want/wants to interview Fred called about robbery.

5. Arsenal has/have lost all their football matches this season.

6. Can I borrow your scissors? Mine is /are not sharp enough.

7. The contents of the house was/were sold after they had moved to another city.

8. The military authorities has/have established their headquarters in the old Town Hall.

9. The stairs is/are a bit dangerous. Be careful.

10. The lingerie she bought yesterday is/are very expensive.

11. Do you think Liverpool is/are the best team in Europe.

12. The proceeds of the concert is/are going to the children’s fund.

13. Her hair is/are long and jet black.

14. The cattle is/are grazing in the field.

15. The US is/are anxious to improve its image.

16. Fur trimmings is/are in vogue now.

17. Good manners is/are declining.

18. The earnings of working women is/are getting higher all the time.

19. Teeth is/are covered with hard substance called enamel.

20. The goods has/have arrived.

21. The fly is an insect that lives/live in peoples homes.

22. Poetry is/are recognized as one of the most complex means of artistic expression.

23. The oranges in the bowl on the counter is/are from California.

24. Politics is/are a very complicated business.

25. What is/are your politics?

26. Statistics is/are useful in language testing.

27. The unemployment statistics is/are disturbing.

28. The commission on the sales he makes is/are 20%.

29. Footwear is/are very costly nowadays.

30. Glassware is/are to the left behind the ribbon counter.

Ex 2 Underline the singular or plural verb that is required by the subject.

1. There is/are a lot of television programs suitable for children.

2. Each student is/are required to take out health insurance.

3. There is/are a long list of jobs to be done before we leave.

4. The information in these reports is/are not correct.

5. The news about the patient’s recovery has/have been very good these days.

6. The star of the show acts/act very well, and so does/do all the other members of the cast.

7. Their scissors was/were not strong enough to cut the wire.

8. The ship’s passengers, as well as the entire crew, was/were rescued.

9. Here is/are the news stories you asked for.

10. The furniture which was/were ordered a few months ago is/are being delivered now.

11. A program of two very famous films is/are being shown tonight.

12. There has/have been some sings of improvement in his work.

13. Many a man has/have wanted to escape from poverty.

14. The basic knowledge of English and mathematics has/have been declining for a decade.

15. The use of symbols in many parts of the story plays/play a significant role in bringing out the main theme.

16. There is/are a lot of problems that needs/need to be discussed.

17. Some of the fruit was/were spoilt.

18. A number of the people in this city lives/live in poverty.

19. Playing with matches is/are very dangerous.

20. Everybody is/are coming to see the play.

21. Advertising in this newspaper costs/cost a lot of money.

22. To make mistakes is/are only human.

23. This year’s deficit, together with those of previous years, has/have caused the company to go bankrupt.

24. Each of the machines is/are carefully inspected before being put into operation.

25. His valuable computer, as well as his important files, was/were saved from the fire.

26. On the wall there was/were several posters.

27. Most of the new equipment has/have already been installed in the factory.

28. Equality between men and women was/were often not taken for granted in the past.

29. In my country every house has/have a big stone fence.

30. Today’s divorce rate is higher than ever because the number of working mothers is/are increasing.

31. His baggage has/have been sent to Greece by mistake.

32. More than one person is/are going to complain.

33. Neither she nor her husband has/have arrived.

34. ‘War And Peace’ is/are the longest book he has ever read.

35. The United States is/are a highly-developed country.

36. This gin and tonic isn’t/aren’t very strong.

37. Ten times five is/are fifty.

38. Half of the pupils don’t/doesn’t have sets of books.

39. The government is/are elected by a simple majority.

40.The majority of people is/are against this law.

41.I’m going to take a taxi. Six miles is/are too far for me to walk.

42.Three days is/are not long enough for a good holiday.

43.Two kilos is/are pretty small for a newborn baby.

44.We only use three rooms. The rest of the house is/are empty.

45. A lot of social problems is/are caused by unemployment.

Ex. 3 Use the correct form of the verb in the following sentences.

1. His advice (to be) always useful to me.

2. We were at the head of the valley and below us we saw an old house. “This is where my family (to live),” he said.

3. Con’s family (to be) in the process of having tea when we arrived.

4. All the family (to be) gathered to see the dog.

5. My family who (to be) occupied each with their particular guest did not notice anything.

6. Monty’s family (to be) of about the same social status as my own.

7. When the family (to be) alone she often read to them before going to bed.

8. Do you know what the family (to get) into their heads about this business?

9. The police (to know) about him for years.

10. Everybody says the Swiss police (to be) great at finding people.

11. The police (to be) not fools. That man did not believe a word of what I said.

12. The police (to call) and a sergeant and a constable arrived.

13. The public (not to think) so.

14. The public (to request) not to leave litter in these woods.

15. As Alan appeared, the crew had quit their loading and (to be) assembled along the rail.

16. There (to be) two fish in his basket.

17. That evening the net was so heavy that he could hardly draw in into the boat. “Surely I have caught all the fish that (to swim),” he said to himself and laughed.

18. When he came the baseball team (to practice) on the school field.

19. The team (to have) baths at the moment and then (to come) back here for tea.

20. The team (to play) tomorrow morning.

21. The summons (to be) already overdue.

22. My trousers now (to clean).

23. Do you know what the news (to be)?

24. The ashes (to be) still hot.

25. The job is unpaid, but a number of persons (to be) willing to undertake it.

26. There (to be) important information in the letter.

27. The clergy (to be) generally dressed in black.

28. The Government (to discuss) the matter for a long time but they have shown no signs of reaching agreement.

29. The Government (to decide) already to pass the bill.

30. He was reserved concerning himself but a fluent talker when politics (to be) under discussion.

31. Politics always (to interest) me.

32. Ethics (to be) a difficult study.

33. The company (to find) shelter from the rain in the village inn. They are going to have lunch there.

34. In the meantime the young couple (to be) to live in the old house.

35. That day the committee (to be) to meet at her friend’s house.

36. I had to find out whether the committee (to be) competent enough to consider the project.

37. The committee (to be) of the opinion that the matter should be dealt with at once.

38. Close by, a group of men (to sit). They kept the waiter busy with their orders.

39. A group of students (to go) on a tour to Slovakia in summer.

40. The board (to be) extraordinarily kind to you.

41. The board (to be) going to consider your application at the next sitting.

42. There (to be) a few little craft anchored in the harbour.

43. The staff (to be) all gathered in the main office when I came.

44. His staff (to be) very small. I don’t know how he managed to do any business at all.

45. You’ve bought yourself a nice car. Your money (to be) well spent.

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