Subject-Verb Agreement

Question 1

Subject-Verb Agreement

Answer 1

• Refers to the agreement of the subject with the verb in terms of NUMBER
• If the subject is singular, the verb must have an - S or - ES

Ex.
- Frances dances gracefully.
- The van runs faster.

Question 2

Singular Verbs

Answer 2

• Base form + s
• Base form + es
• ‘be’ verbs
• has
• emphatic verb: does

Ex.

• talks, walks, writes
• catches, goes, does
• is, am, was, being

Singular Subject:
- He talks.
Plural Subject:
- They talk

Question 3

SVA Rule

Question 4

1. The personal pronoun “I” takes the base form of the verb despite it being singular in number.

Answer 4

Ex.
- I EEAD Filipino books in the library everyday.

Question 5

2. Regardless of its plural or singular referent, the personal pronoun “you” takes the base form of the verb

Answer 5

Ex.
- You LIKE visiting Spanish era houses in Ilocos.

Question 6

3. The verb “be” takes different form depending on the personal pronoun it’s paired with.

Answer 6

Ex.
- I AM nervous about the interview.

Question 7

4. Make sure that the verb agrees with the subject even when:

Answer 7

1) other groups of words such as phrases come between the subject and the verb
2) the verb comes before the subject (e.g., questions & sentences that start with there & here)

Ex.
- The LEADERS of the Philippines revolution ARE brave & patriotic.

Question 8

5. COLLECTIVE NOUNS can be treated as singular or plural depending on their use in the sentence. Collective nouns can be considered SINGULAR if GROUP ACTS AS A SINGULAR UNIT

Answer 8

Ex.
1) The band IS having difficulty rehearsing its songs.

(All the members are going through the same difficulty)

2) The band HAS decided to split ways after their producer died.

(Although there is a clear difference in the outcome, the band members made the decision together.)