SUBJECT – VERB AGREEMENT

Singular: That apple looks like a ball.

Plural : Those apples look like balls.

Example :The cost of all the repairs we needed to make

were more than we could afford. (wrong)

The cost of all the repairs we needed to

make was more than we could afford. (correct)

Many leading members of the opposition

party have tried to justify the decision.

The only excuse that he gave for his

actions was that he was tired.

Example:

Good planning and careful execution is

necessary for success.(wrong)

Good planning and careful execution are

necessary for success. (correct)

Example:

A group of yachts with brightly colored banners

flying in the wind were entering the harbor.

A group of yachts with brightly colored banners

flying in the wind was entering the harbor.

Mike told them that his cottage in one of the new

seaside developments were not damaged in the

storm.

Mike told them that his cottage in one of the new

seaside developments was not damaged in the

storm.

Compound Subjects:

Mike and David are coming to the meeting.

A pencil or a pen is all that you will need.

Both Mike and Tom were really fed up with the fat guy.

Either Fred or John is scheduled to be there.

Unfortunately, neither I nor my husband is able to come.

Neither the post office nor banks are open today.

Neither the banks nor the post office is open

today.

Either ……………or are also used in the same

manner.

Compound subject modified by each or every takes singular verbs.

Examples:

Each boy and girl takes a turn in driving test.

Every senator and member of congress has exactly one

vote.

It seems that every town, country and village has been

affected due to recent flood.

The nouns like: audience, committee, company ,

team, university, jury, public, staff, school,

college, university, community, government,

department, crowd, and the name of particular

organizations such as Sony, Samsung, Nokia etc

can be treated singular or plural

Some nouns ends with ‘s’ and look like plural,

but they are used with singular verbs.

For example:

Mathematics, Physics, Linguistics, Phonetics,

Politics, Statistics, Athletics, Gymnastics,

Diabetes, etc

Some nouns have only plural form with

‘s’ and take a plural verb.

Examples:

Clothes, belongings, goods, troops, contents,

congratulations, remains, outskirts etc

Conclusion: