<p> A5 Subject-Verb Agreement The major cause of subject-verb agreement error is that writers cannot identify the simple subject of a clause; if they do, they find it hard to decide whether it is a plural or a singular subject. *Note: In some English dialects S-V agreement may vary. For writing assignments it is best to use the standard S-V format. 1. Nouns or pronouns may intervene between the subject and the verb. In such cases it is important to note which what the verb refers to Examples: Watermelons sold by the roadside usually taste good. Taxes, along with unemployment, influence votes.</p><p>2. Subjects joined by and are usually plural. Examples: Her typewriter and my radio were stolen. The doctor and the minister have much in common.* *Exception to the rule: Compound subjects take singular verbs because the subject denotes one person or single unit. Example: The company is having a good day.</p><p>3. Singular subjects joined by or and nor usually take singular verbs. Examples: Paula or her secretary answers the phone on Saturday. Either the major or the governor is the keynote speaker.</p><p>Likewise plural subjects joined by or, either, nor, neither take plural verbs. Example: Neither the doctors nor the lawyers are meeting today.</p><p>If one subject is singular and one is plural, the verb agrees with the nearest subject. Examples: Either Sam or his sisters are coming. Either my parents or my sister is on the phone.</p><p>4. Sometimes the verb might come before the noun (inverted word order) Examples: There are no poisonous snakes in the area. There remains an unanswered question. </p><p>5. Relative pronoun (who, which, that) used as a subject takes singular or plural verb according to its antecedent. Examples: It is the pharmacist who often suggests a new brand. This is the only one of the local papers that prints a daily horoscope. This is one of the newspapers that print a large type.</p><p>6. When used as subjects, words like each, either, neither, one, everybody, and anyone take singular verbs. Examples: Neither likes the friends of the other. Everybody in the office has tickets.</p><p>7. Collective nouns and pronouns denoting fixed quantity take singular verb. Examples: The majority has made its decision. The number of board members is very small.</p><p>8. Linking verbs agree with subjects not with complements. Examples: Excessive absences were the reason for his failure. The reason for his failure was excessive absences.</p><p>9. Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning take singular verbs. Example: Darts is a game played often.</p><p>10. The title of a singular work spoken of as a word, even when in plural form, takes singular verb. Example: "Toys" is one of my favorite poems.</p><p>Center for Transformative Learning Peer Consultation Stephenson Hall CPO 2136 x3404</p>