Comprehensive Guide to Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

Subject-Verb Agreement Rule #2: Indefinite Pronouns

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

Singular Indefinite Pronouns always require singular verbs. These pronouns include:

  • Each
  • Either
  • Neither
  • One
  • Anybody
  • Somebody
  • Nobody
  • Everybody
  • Anyone
  • Someone
  • No one
  • Everyone
  • Anything
  • Something
  • Nothing
  • Everything

Mnemonic for Remembering Singular Indefinite Pronouns: To remember these, associate them with their endings or specific groupings: "Each, Either, Neither… The ONES, The BODYS, The THINGS, + ONE."

Examples of Singular Indefinite Pronouns in Use:

  • Each of the athletes runs effortlessly. (Correct choice: runs)
  • Neither of the women is ready to start. (Correct choice: is)
  • Someone was waving a large flag. (Correct choice: was)
  • Does everyone who signed up enjoy playing tennis? (Correct choice: Does)

Plural Indefinite Pronouns

Plural Indefinite Pronouns take plural verbs. These include:

  • Both
  • Several
  • Few
  • Many

Mnemonic for Remembering Plural Indefinite Pronouns: Use the sentence: "Both sisters found mom," representing Both, Several, Few, and Many.

Examples of Plural Indefinite Pronouns in Use:

  • Were both of the games postponed? (Correct choice: Were)
  • Few that I know of have qualified. (Correct choice: have)
  • Several of the runners are exercising. (Correct choice: are)

Subject-Verb Agreement Rule #3: Intervening Phrases

Determining the Subject

Do not determine the number of a subject (whether it is singular or plural) by a word found in a phrase or clause following the subject. The number of the subject is not changed by words that come between the subject and the verb.

Examples of Intervening Phrases:

  • The apartments across the street do have balconies. (Subject: apartments; Intervening phrase: across the street)
  • Eli, one of my friends, was late. (Subject: Eli; Intervening phrase: one of my friends)
  • The planes pulling up to the gate were purchased by a movie company. (Subject: planes; Intervening phrase: pulling up to the gate)
  • The men sitting under the tree are my cousins.
  • The lovely lady with the red scarf loves chocolate.
  • Jimmy, who is one of the dancers, claims to be the leader of the group.

Phrases vs. Compound Subjects

Phrases such as "together with," "as well as," and "along with" are NOT the same as the conjunction "and." A phrase introduced by these terms modifies the earlier word but does not compound the subject. Therefore, if the original subject is singular, the verb remains singular.

Examples:

  • The mayor as well as his brothers is going to jail. (Subject: mayor)
  • The painter, along with the others, meets the art enthusiasts. (Subject: painter)
  • Daryl, together with Michael and Bugoy, sings well. (Subject: Daryl)

Subject-Verb Agreement Rule #4: Compound Subjects

Two subjects joined by the conjunction "AND" take a plural verb.

Examples:

  • George Lucas and Steven Spielberg make movies.
  • Rhythm and imagery help poets express their feelings.

Subject-Verb Agreement Rule #5: The Pronoun "YOU"

The pronoun "YOU" always requires a verb in the plural form, regardless of whether it refers to one person or many.

Examples:

  • You are my best friend's sister, right?
  • You change the pillowcases in this room.

Subject-Verb Agreement Rule #6 (NONE) & Rule #7 (ALL)

Certain indefinite pronouns can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on how they are used in a sentence (specifically, they are governed by the noun to which they refer, usually found in a prepositional phrase).

The Singular-Plural Pronouns are:

  • All
  • Any
  • More
  • Most
  • None
  • Some

Mnemonic for Remembering Variable Pronouns: "All Active Men Need More Sports," representing All, Any, Most, None, More, and Some.

Examples of Variable Usage:

  • Some of the test is hard. ("Test" is singular)
  • Some of the questions are hard. ("Questions" is plural)
  • Most of his routine sounds familiar. ("Routine" is singular)
  • Most of his jokes sound familiar. ("Jokes" is plural)
  • Was any of the feedback positive? ("Feedback" is singular)
  • Were any of the reviews positive? ("Reviews" is plural)

Practice Exercise: Correctness Review

Below is a list of sentences evaluated for subject-verb agreement:

  1. Sentence: The discovery of mummies interest many people.
    • Evaluation: NO (Correct form: interests)
  2. Sentence: John, accompanied by Gracie, goes to the movie every Saturday.
    • Evaluation: YES
  3. Sentence: Mary, who stands with me in this upheaval, remains as one of my friends.
    • Evaluation: YES
  4. Sentence: The mayor as well as his brothers are going to jail.
    • Evaluation: NO (Correct form: is)
  5. Sentence: Nobody wants to dance.
    • Evaluation: YES
  6. Sentence: All of my classmates is hardworking and creative.
    • Evaluation: NO (Correct form: are)
  7. Sentence: None of them are asking for continuous break.
    • Evaluation: YES
  8. Sentence: You makes my day so far.
    • Evaluation: NO (Correct form: make)
  9. Sentence: Few of them manages to get the correct answer.
    • Evaluation: NO (Correct form: manage)
  10. Sentence: My hobby and passion is playing the piano.
    • Evaluation: YES
  11. Sentence: Giselle and her neighbors joins the social organization in their area.
    • Evaluation: NO (Correct form: join)
  12. Sentence: Each of the boys is asked to transfer from one room to another.
    • Evaluation: YES
  13. Sentence: Neither of the students help the teacher in carrying the books.
    • Evaluation: NO (Correct form: helps)
  14. Sentence: You deliver the message to the manager immediately.
    • Evaluation: YES
  15. Sentence: Her sister and friend is Mary Baker.
    • Evaluation: YES