How to make sure that your subjects agree with your verbs. For more English tutorials, please visit: https://www.thelecturette.com

1. Subject-Verb
Agreement

2. Subject-Verb Agreement
Singular subject = Singular verb
Plural subject = Plural verb

3. Subject-Verb Agreement
My brother is taking the bus to school.
My brother, as well as most of his friends, is taking
the bus to school.

4. And
Plural verb
He and his sister are on vacation.
1

5. Or or Nor
Singular verb
The chairman or the secretary is at the meeting.
2

6. Singular + Plural
+ Or or Nor
Noun or pronoun nearest to the verb
The owner or the employees go to the bank
every day.
The employees or the owner goes to the bank
every day.
3

7. Subject + Other Nouns
or Pronouns
Only agree with the subject
One of the men is injured.
The girl with all the dogs walks down the road.
4

8. Each, Everyone, Etc.
Singular verb with: each, each one, either, neither,
everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody,
somebody, someone, and no one
Each of these books is good.
Nobody ever calls the emergency number.
5

9. News, Euros, Etc.
Singular verb
The news comes on at ten o’clock.
6

10. Euros, Dollars, Etc. (Special Case)
Amount = Singular
Currency = Plural
Ten euros for a ticket sounds quite cheap.
Euros are often used instead of Pounds.
6

11. Scissors, Trousers, Etc.
Plural verb
Those trousers look very cool on you.
7

12. There Is and There Are
Subject follows verb
There is one option.
There are many possibilities.
8

13. Collective Nouns
Operating as a Group
Singular verb
The committee votes on the proposal.
9

14. Collective Nouns
Operating Independently
Plural verb
The class write their thesis paper this year.
9

15. Including, As Well, Etc.
Singular subject = singular verb with: including,
accompanied by, in addition to, or as well
The King, accompanied by the Queen, is visiting the
Netherlands.
10

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