Subject Verb Agreement Intervening phrases Singular subjects must

Subject Verb Agreement Intervening phrases

• Singular subjects must have singular verbs. (often end in “s”) • Plural Subjects must have plural verbs.

• Subject and verb must always agree in number, whether or not phrases come between them. • Even expressions such as along with, in addition to, as well as, together with, including, and no less than do not make an otherwise singular subject plural

Examples of Intervening Phrases • A) One is my brother. • B). One of the boys is in the third row of bleachers is my brother • A). Every worker is present • B) Every worker on the assembly line is present for the union vote.

• Christina’s World was selected for the Andrew Wyeth exhibition. • Christina’s World, along with several of the Helga paintings, was selected for the Andrew Wyeth exhibition.

To help avoid confusion, put parentheses around any phrases or expression that come between the subject and the verb, and read the sentence without the phrase or expression.

Examples 1. Each (of the girls) has/have finished her assigned work. -Each has finished her assigned work • One (of the supposed sightings) (of the Abominable Snowman) was/were actually reported by a blind couple. • -One was reported by a blind couple

Examples • Each (of the parallel sides) (of a trapezoid) is/are called a base. • -Each is called a base

Compound Subjects • Two singular subjects joined by “Or” or “Nor” requires a singular verb. • Two or more singular subjects joined by “And” requires a plural verb.

Examples • Paul or Holly is usually quick to volunteer. • Paul and Holly are usually quick to volunteer.

• In a sentence with both a singular and a plural subject joined by “or” or “nor, ” make the verb agree with the subject closer to it. • Ex: • Neither the defendants nor the lawyer is going to talk to the press. • Neither the defendant nor the lawyers are going to talk to the press.

Indefinite Pronouns • The indefinite pronouns: anybody, anyone, each, either, none, neither, somebody, someone, everyone, and everyone These pronouns are singular and require a singular verb. Both and some are plural and require plural verbs.

Examples • Either stupidity or stubbornness is Joel’s most outstanding characteristic. • Both stupidity and stubbornness are Joel’s most outstanding characteristics.