Module 5: Subject- Verb Agreement

Question 1

She writes every day.

• If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.

Answer 1

1

Question 2

They write every day

• If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Answer 2

2

Question 3

he doctoral student and the committee members write every day.

• When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb.

Answer 3

3

Question 4

Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain an in- depth understanding of participants.

• When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the subject

Answer 4

4

Question 5

The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.

• Intervening words like together with, in addition to, along with, as well as, including and similar constructions following the subject do not affect the number of the subject.

Answer 5

5

Question 6

The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.

• When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by “or” or “nor,” use a singular verb.

Answer 6

6

Question 7

The student or the committee members write every day.

The committee members or the student writes every day.

• When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity.

Answer 7

7

Question 8

Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.

• The words and phrases “each,” “each one,” “either,” “neither,” “everyone,” “everybody,” “anyone,” “anybody,” “nobody,” “somebody,” “someone,” and “no one” are singular and require a singular verb.

Answer 8

8

Question 9

Education is the key to success

• Non-count nouns take a singular verb.

Answer 9

9

Question 10

The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.

• Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and take a plural verb.

Answer 10

10

Question 11

There is little administrative support.

• In sentences beginning with “there is” or “there are,” the subject follows the verb. Since “there” is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows the verb.

Answer 11

11

Question 12

The group meets every week.

• A collective noun acting as a single unit takes a singular verb. However, the plural verb is used when the individual if the focus is on the individuals in the group.

Answer 12

12

Question 13

In the present tense, verbs agree with their subjects in NUMBER (singular/plural) and in PERSON (first, second, or third). The present tense ending –s (or –es) is used on a verb if the subject is THIRD PERSON SINGULAR. Otherwise, the verb takes NO ENDING.

Answer 13

13

Question 14

Some of the apples were sold.

Some of the flour was spilled.

Answer 14

14

Question 15

BSP Enterprises is owned by Mr. Santos

• Titles of works, story, article or establishment, even when plural in form, takes a singular subject

Question 16

The brave are honored

• Adjectives used as subjects take plural verbs.

Question 17

Two-thirds of the school’s population speaks Pangalatok.

• Fractions may take singular or plural verbs depending on the of-phrase.

Question 18

Five years is a long engagement period.

• Words or phrases expressing periods of time, weight, measurement and amounts of money are usually regarded as singular.

Question 19

The number of applicants is big.

A number of applicants are very young

• The expression the number takes a singular verb; the expression a number takes a plural verb.