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Verbs must match with their subjects in number. A singular subject will require a singular verb. A plural subject will take a plural verb. For example,
- The American flag has 13 stripes and 50 stars. (singular subject + singular verb)
- We celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July. (plural subject + plural verb)
Pay attention to the changes in verb form for the present tense, the forms of be, and the helping verbs do and have. For example,
- Does Victor like parties? Yes, he likes fancy parties with fireworks.
- What are you going to do this weekend? I am going to rest.
- Have they invited you to a BBQ? Yes, they have.
Subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronouns
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1) The following indefinite pronouns are always singular:
anyone, anybody, anything, everyone, everybody, everything, someone, somebody, something, no one, nobody, nothing, each, either, neither
- Everything happens for a reason.
- Does anyone know why we celebrate the 4th of July?
- No one has the answer.
- 2) These indefinite pronouns and quantity expressions can be either singular or plural:
all, any, a lot of, none, most, some, one-half, two-thirds, 10 percent, 50 %, etc.
(if the noun following these indefinite pronouns is singular, use a singular verb; if the noun is plural, use a plural verb)
- One-half of the apple pie has been eaten. ("apple pie" is singular)
- Two-thirds of the people were from our neighborhood. ("people" is plural)
- We threw a big 4th of July party, where 50% of the guests were my friends.
- Compare: None of her friends is here (formal). None of her friends are here (informal). This rule applies only to "none."
- 3) Subjects and verbs are plural with both and if there are two or more subjects joined by and:
- Both sisters are married.
- Peter, John, and Mike go to the same school.
Tricky situations:
- 1) Prepositional phrases:
If the subject of the prepositional phrase is singular, use a singular verb, and if the subject is plural, use a plural verb. The noun at the beginning of the prepositional phrase will be the main word that will require the
verb to be singular or plural.
- The 50 stars on the flag represent 50 states. ("stars" - the main word)
- The organizers of the celebration were tired. ("organizers"- the main word)
- The list of guests who are coming to my party includes many interesting people. ("list"- the main word)
- 2) Subjects joined by or, nor, either ... or, and neither ...nor:
Singular subjects will take singular verbs and plural subjects will take plural verbs. However, if one of the subjects is singular and the other is plural, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
- Neither my father nor my mother was born in the United States.
- Either I or my siblings visit our parents for holidays.
- Mary or Ann loves poetry.
Class, population, couple, family, majority, group, team, pair, etc.
A collective noun takes a singular verb when the group acts as a unit. If the members of the group act individually, use a plural verb.
- My family gets together for holidays at my uncle's house. My family likes different types of food.
- The population of the USA consists of many immigrants. The population of this small town are unique people.
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スタッフ記事 ＜オンライン留学について＞ IGEジャパン 須摩なつき
Elena's Corner Vol. 16
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