SVA grammar NOTES

Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com

SUBJECT-VERB

AGREEMENT

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW?

The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a

singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural

verb. 
The trick is in knowing whether the subject is

singular or plural. 
The next trick is recognizing a singular or plural

verb.
In order to determine which verb is singular and

which one is plural, think of which verb you would

use with 'he' or 'she' and which verb you would use

with 'they'.

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Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com

SUBJECT-VERB

AGREEMENT

RULE 1: NUMBER AGREEMENT

Subjects and

verbs must agree


in number.

singular

subject

The dog growls when he is angry. singular


singular
subject

verb The dogs growl when they are angry.

singular

verb

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Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com

SUBJECT-VERB

AGREEMENT

RULE 1: NUMBER AGREEMENT

Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

singular subject

The kitten has gone missing. singular subject

singular verb Mickey was feeling unwell.

singular verb

plural subject

The students have studied for quite some time.

plural verb
two subjects (plural)

Mickey and Goofy were playing hide-and-seek.

plural verb

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Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com

SUBJECT-VERB

AGREEMENT

RULE 1: NUMBER AGREEMENT

Special case:

special subjects are/were/have

You

I am/was/have

You are the apple of my eye. I am the apple of my mother's eye.

You were such an angel. I was such an angel.
You have a very long hair. I have several books.

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Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com

SUBJECT-VERB

AGREEMENT

RULE 2: JOINED BY 'AND'

If two subjects are joined by "and," they typically

require a plural verb form.

two subjects

two subjects The cat and the dog are fighting.

plural verb

The horse and the carriage have gone.

plural verb

two subjects

Paris and Rome were my favourite cities.

plural verb

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Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com

SUBJECT-VERB

AGREEMENT

RULE 3: EACH, EVERY, NO

If the word "each," "every" or "no" comes before

the subject, the verb is singular.

'no' followed by two subjects

No smoking or drinking is allowed.

singular verb

'every' followed by two subjects

Every man and woman was required to check in.

singular verb

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Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com

SUBJECT-VERB

AGREEMENT

RULE 4: BOTH, EITHER, NEITHER

When 'either' and 'neither' are subjects, they always take singular

verbs.
'Both' carries the meaning of two subjects, so the verb is plural.

subject

Neither of them is available to speak right now.

singular verb
subject

Either Ally or Amie has been here.

singular verb
plural subject

Both students pass the exam.

plural verb

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Source: grammar.yourdictionary.com

SUBJECT-VERB

AGREEMENT

RULE 5: OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION

With words that indicate portions (percent, fraction, part,

majority, some, all, none, remainder, etc), look at the object of

the preposition to determine whether to use a singular or plural

verb.
If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If

the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.

Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared.
Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.
None of the garbage was collected.
None of the sentences were correct.
All of the chicken is gone.
All of the chickens are gone.

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