answersLogoWhite

0

BasicRule.

The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

NOTE: The trick is in knowing whether the subject is singular or plural. The next trick is recognizing a singular or plural verb.Hint: Verbs do not form their plurals by adding an s as nouns do. In order to determine which verb is singular and which one is plural, think of which verb you would use with he or she and which verb you would use with they.Example:talks, talk

Which one is the singular form? Which word would you use with he? We say, "He talks." Therefore, talks is singular. We say, "They talk." Therefore, talk is plural.

Rule 1.Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.Example:My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.

Rule 2.Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular verb as in Rule 1.Examples:Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.

Rule 3.When I is one of the two subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor, put it second and follow it with the singular verb am.Example:Neither she nor I am going to the festival.

Rule 4.When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.Example:The serving bowl or the plates go on that shelf.

Rule 5.When a singular and plural subject are connected by either/or orneither/nor, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.Example:Neither Jenny nor the others are available.

Rule 6.As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.Example:A car and a bike are my means of transportation.

Rule 7.Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well as, besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb.Examples:The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause

of her shaking.

Rule 8.The pronouns each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows of.Examples:Each of the girls sings well.Every one of the cakes is gone.

NOTE: Everyone is one word when it means everybody.Every one is two words when the meaning is each one.

Rule 9.

With words that indicate portions-percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, and so forth -look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the preposition) to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.Examples:Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared.

Pie is the object of the preposition of.Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.

Pies is the object of the preposition.One-third of the city is unemployed.

One-third of the people are unemployed.

NOTE: Hyphenate all spelled-out fractions.All of the pie is gone.All of the pies are gone.Some of the pie is missing.Some of the pies are missing.None of the garbage was picked up.None of the sentences were punctuated correctly.Of all her books, none have sold as well as the first one.NOTE: Apparently, the SAT testing service considers none as a singular word only. However, according to Merriam Webster's Dictionary of English Usage, "Clearly none has been both singular and plural since Old English and still is. The notion that it is singular only is a myth of unknown origin that appears to have arisen in the 19th century. If in context it seems like a singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond serious criticism" (p. 664).

Rule 10.The expression the number is followed by a singular verb while the expression a number is followed by a plural verb.

Examples:The number of people we need to hire is thirteen.A number of people have written in about this subject.

Rule 11.When either and neither are subjects, they always take singular verbs.Examples:Neither of them is available to speak right now.Either of us is capable of doing the job.

Rule 12.The words here and there have generally been labeled as adverbs even though they indicate place. In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject follows the verb.Examples:There are four hurdles to jump.There is a high hurdle to jump.

Rule 13.Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.Examples:Ten dollars is a high price to pay.Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.

Rule 14.Sometimes the pronoun who, that, or which is the subject of a verb in the middle of the sentence. The pronouns who, that, and which become singular or plural according to the noun directly in front of them. So, if that noun is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.Examples:Salma is the scientist who writes/write the reports.

The word in front of who is scientist, which is singular. Therefore, use the singular verb writes.He is one of the men who does/do the work.

The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb do.

Rule 15.Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural depending on their use in the sentence.Examples:The staff is in a meeting.

Staff is acting as a unit here.The staff are in disagreement about the findings.

The staff are acting as separate individuals in this example.The sentence would read even better as:

The staff members are in disagreement about the findings.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Linguistics

What are some examples of S-V agreement?

Correct subject - agreement examples:The books are on the shelf.They are my friends.Anna is at work.INCORRECT examples:The books is on the shelf.They is my friends.Anna are at work.


What are some example of language rule governed?

Some examples of language rules that are governed include word order (subject-verb-object), verb tense agreement (I eat vs. I ate), article usage (a vs. an), and pluralization rules (adding -s or -es to make a noun plural). These rules help maintain clarity and consistency in communication.


What are the rules in grammar?

Grammar rules are guidelines for structuring language, covering aspects such as syntax, punctuation, and verb tense. Adhering to these rules helps ensure clarity and effective communication in writing and speaking. Some common grammar rules include subject-verb agreement, proper word order, and correct use of punctuation.


Why is subject agreement and verb agreement important?

Some say it isn't really - many languages lack the variations in form that make agreement necessary. As far as using English is concerned, agreement might be compared to wearing matching socks: unmatched socks will cover the feet but they look silly; while disagreeing verbs and subjects may be cover the meaning, but they sound stupid.


What are some examples of language?

English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, French, Japanese, and German are examples of languages spoken around the world. Each language has its own unique set of rules, vocabulary, and alphabet used for communication.

Related Questions

What are some examples of S-V agreement?

Correct subject - agreement examples:The books are on the shelf.They are my friends.Anna is at work.INCORRECT examples:The books is on the shelf.They is my friends.Anna are at work.


What are some example of language rule governed?

Some examples of language rules that are governed include word order (subject-verb-object), verb tense agreement (I eat vs. I ate), article usage (a vs. an), and pluralization rules (adding -s or -es to make a noun plural). These rules help maintain clarity and consistency in communication.


Can you give some examples using the rule number 20 of subject verb agreement?

Here .. I only got one :) Every good boy does fine. -Onellefullente(Neko-chan)


What are the examples of problems in an organization?

an example of a problem of an organization is that there must be an agreement of some sort


What are the examples of organs of an organisms?

an example of a problem of an organization is that there must be an agreement of some sort


What are some examples of safety?

examples of water safety rules is like when you're entering a boat always wear a life jacket


What are the rules in grammar?

Grammar rules are guidelines for structuring language, covering aspects such as syntax, punctuation, and verb tense. Adhering to these rules helps ensure clarity and effective communication in writing and speaking. Some common grammar rules include subject-verb agreement, proper word order, and correct use of punctuation.


What are some rules in African American should not do?

African Americans are subject to exactly the same rules as ALL americans.


What are the examples of pragmatic rules?

my lecture asked me to find out the example of pragmatic rules for children. and i don't know about it, that's why i need some help


Is subject verb agreemant must agree in numbers give some example?

what is the agreement in tense


What are some Examples of multilateral agreements in Trinidad?

The General Agreement on Tariffs and TradeThe North American Free Trade AgreementThe Central American Free Trade AgreementThe Free Trade Agreement of the AmericasMERCOSURThe Multilateral Agreement on Investment


What are some examples of water safety?

examples of water safety rules is like when you're entering a boat always wear a life jacket