Subject Verb Agreement

Question 1

What is subject verb agreement?

Answer 1

• the head word of the noun phrase must agree with the first verb of the verb phrase.
• basic rule: a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject the a plural verb.

Question 2

Sva when it is a singular noun phrase connected by “or”

Answer 2

Two singular noun phrases connected by “or” which tighter function as the subject require a singular verb.

1. My “auntie” or my “uncle” is arriving by train today.

Question 3

Sva when it is a singular noun phrase connected by “either/or”

Answer 3

When two singular noun phrases connected by “either/or” or “neither/nor” together function as the subject they normally take singular verb agreement in formal English.

1. Neither “Jan” nor “Anna” is available.

Question 4

Sva when it is a connected singular and plural noun phrase.

Answer 4

When a singular and a plural subject are connected by “either/or”, “neither/nor”, or “or” out the plural subject last and use a plural verb.

1. “Annika” or the “others” are available.
2. Neither “Annika” or the “others” “are” available.

Question 5

Sva when it is a noun phrase conjoined by “and”

Answer 5

As general rule use a plural verb with two or more noun phrases that together constitute the subject when they are connected by and.

1. A “car” and a “bike” “are” my means of transportation.

Question 6

Sva when it is a subjects containing “along with”, “as well as” and “besides”

Answer 6

When the subject is separated from the verb by expressions such as along with, as well as, and besides, ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb.

1. “Excitement”, as well as a nervousness, “is” the cause of her stutter.

Question 7

Sva when it is a indefinite pronoun and agreement

Answer 7

The pronouns each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone and somebody are singular and require singular verbs.

1. “Each” if the experiments “is” complete.

Question 8

Sva when it’s is sums of money and persuades of time

Answer 8

Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time

1. Ten “dollars” “is” a high price
2. Five “years” “is” a long time

Question 9

Sva when it is a uncountable noun

Answer 9

Are always treated as singular when it comes to subject verb agreement

1. “Gravity” “is” an important force
2. This “wine” “is” not as sweet as the last one

Question 10

Sva when it is a dependent clause and agreement

Answer 10

Functioning as subject are treated as singular.

1. [The Paul might be a thief] “has” never occurred to Mary.

Question 11

Some important exceptions and word of advice while talking about Sva

Answer 11

• there is a number of nouns whose plural forms do not include a plural -s
  1) phenomenon- phenomena, criterion-criteria, formula-formulae
• there are nouns where both the singular and the plural form ends in -s
  2) hypothesis- hypotheses, analysis- analyses, thesis-theses, parenthesis- parentheses

3) sheep- sheep, hovercraft- hovercraft

• nouns that end in a -s, but are uncountable and thus singular
  4) news, aerobics, statistics