Subject-Verb Agreement: Idefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns such as anybody, anyone, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, none, no one, one, somebody, someone, and something take singular verbs.

Each of the students (is, are) assigned to

report on a Philippine epic.

Each of the students is assigned to report on a

Philippine epic.

Somebody (is, are) supposed to report on

the epic Biag ni Lam-Ang today.

Somebody is supposed to report on the epic Biag ni Lam-

Ang today.

*However, indefinite pronouns like few, many, and several require plural

verbs.

Many of the students (want, wants) to stage a play based on a Filipino

epic.

Many of the students want to stage a play based on a

Filipino epic.

Several actually (aspire, aspires) to write the scipt as soon as they

get the go-sinal from their teacher.

Several actually aspire to write the scipt as soon as they get the go-sinal from

their teacher.

For expressions introduced by all, some, most, or none, the verb must be plural when the object of the “of phrase” is a plural count noun.

If the object of the “of phrase” is a mass noun or noncount noun, the verb must be singular.

All of the money for the costumes (has, have)

been collected.

All of the money for the costumes has been collected.

All of the grade seven students (is, are) going

to see the play.

All of the grade seven students are going to

see the play.

None of the water (is, are) gone.

None of the water is gone.

Exercise: Identify the correct form of verb.

1. Everyone (has, have) done his homework.

Everyone has done his homework.

2. Each of the students (is, are) responsible for doing his or her work in the library.

Each of the students is responsible for doing his or her work in the library.

3. Some of this cake (belong, belongs) to Patricia.

Some of this cake belongs to Patricia.

3. Most of the hospitals (remain, remains) open on weekends.

Most of the hospitals remain open on weekends.

4. Several of the apples (has, have) rotted.

Several of the apples have rotted.

5. One of the professors (is, are) still in the classroom.

One of the professors is still in the classroom

Subject-Verb Agreement: Compound Subjects

When subjects are joined by and, they are counted as more than one subject; thus the plural verb form should be used.

My sister and my best friend (know, knows)

me better than anyone.

My sister and my best friend know me better than anyone.

His daughter and his son (want, wants)

him to move in Florida.

His daughter and his son want him to move in Florida.

However, when parts of the subject refer to only one person or thing. it takes a singular verb.

My sister and best friend (know,

knows) me better than anyone.

My sister and best friend knows me better than anyone.

Spaghetti and meatballs (is, are)

Sam's favorite dish.

Spaghetti and meatballs is Sam's favorite dish.

The restaurant's chef and owner (make,

makes) good fajitas.

The restaurant's chef and owner makes good fajitas.

Fish and chips (is, are) a popular dish in England, but is no longer served wrapped in newspaper.

Fish and chips is a popular dish in England, but is no longer served wrapped in newspaper.

For compound subjects joined by or, nor, either... or, neither... nor, and not only... but also, the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.

Not only Molly and her mother, but also

Herman, their dog, (was, were) very angry when

Paulo came to their house.

Not only Molly and her mother, but also

Herman, their dog, was very angry when Paulo came to their house.

Either Ms. Mercado or the students (use, uses) the classroom computer

on a regular basis.

Either Ms. Mercado or the students use the

classroom computer on a regular basis.

Her sister or her parents (plan, plans) to visit her

nextweek.

Her sister or her parents plan to visit her

nextweek.

Exercise: Identify the correct form of verb.

1. The piano or the tables (has, have) to go.

The piano or the tables have to go.

.

2. Every plate and glass (look, looks) new.

Every plate and glass looks new.

3. Neither the pillows nor the blanket (look, looks) good in this room.

Neither the pillows nor the blanket looks good in this room.

4. Potato chips and cup cakes (is, are) bad for you.

Potato chips and cup cakes are bad for you.

Exercise: Circle the subject of each sentence and underline the verb that agrees with it.

1. Macaroni and cheese (is, are) my favorite merienda.

2. The rose and the cadena de amor (has, have) been used as motifs in Emilia's mats.

3. Aside from the mats, sweets and fruits (was, were) brought home by Mr. Angeles.

4. Coffee and tea (is, are) served in the morning wedding reception.

5. Mr. Angeles' thoughts and actions (show, shows) us that he still has not moved on from the death of his children.