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Definition
Rules of Agreement Practice
Fill in blank What is a agreement between SUBJ & VERB ?
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Where you are: Contents Definition Rules of agreement Practice

Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that states that the verb must agree in number and type with its subject. Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.
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Subject-verb agreement often causes problems when a noun rather than a pronoun is the subject of the verb.

Incorrect: The class meet at 10. The boys in front of the store wants to buy magazines.

Correct: The class meets at 10. The boys in front of the store want to buy magazines.
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To decide the agreement for a Verb, you first have to recognize the Subject of a sentence or a phrase.
The Supreme Court judge decides the appropriate penalty. Subject: judge Verb: decides The committee members were satisfied with the resolution. Subject: members Verb: were Over the ripples glides a small canoe. Subject: a small canoe Verb: glides

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1- PLURAL :

If subjects are joined by and, they are considered plural.

The quarterback and the coach are having a conference. Subject: the quarterback and the coach Verb: are having

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1- PLURAL :

people , most people, all of them,

Every coat on this rack has outlived its usefulness.

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1- SINGULAR :

The crowd , the community,

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1- IF SUBJECTS ARE JOINED BY OR OR NOR,

SUBJ 1 or/ nor SUBJ 2

THE VERB SHOULD AGREE WITH THE CLOSER SUBJECT.

Either the classrooms or the auditorium must have its floor refinished.
Neither the director nor the actors are at fault. Subjects: director, actors Verb: are
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1- NEITHER OF / EITHER OF

Neither of/ either of + Noun = SINGULAR

Either of the classrooms is damaged.
Neither of the answers is correct. Subjects: Neither of the answer Verb: is

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1- THE RELATIVE PRONOUNS (WHO, WHOM, WHICH, AND THAT)

THE VERB ARE EITHER SINGULAR OR PLURAL, DEPENDING ON THE WORDS THEY REFER TO.
Sales managers are good researchers who spend a great amount of time surfing the Web for information. Subject: sales managers Verbs: are, spend The sales manager is a good researcher who spends a great amount of time surfing the Web for information. Subject: the sales manager Verbs: is, spends

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1- INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

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SOMEONE, SOMEBODY, EACH, EITHER ONE, EVERYONE, OR ANYONE , EVERY+NOUN = SINGULAR

Everyone on the committee is welcome to express his/her ideas. Subject: everyone Verb: is Anyone who wants to pursue higher education has to pass entrance exams. Subject: anyone Verbs: wants, has Back

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1- INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

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SOME (OF )/ ALL (OF) / NONE (OF)

ALL, SOME are singular or plural depending on what they're referring to. (Is the thing referred to countable or not?) Be careful choosing a verb to accompany such pronouns.
Some of the beads are missing. Subject: Some of the beads Verb: are Some of the water is gone. Subject: Some of the water

Verbs: is
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None of the students have done their homework.

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1- A FEW SUBJECTS LOOK PLURAL BUT ARE REALLY SINGULAR.

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NEWS, class, politics, statistics, = SINGULAR

The news of the discovery is spreading. Subject: news Verb: is

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1- A FEW SUBJECTS LOOK SINGULAR BUT ARE REALLY PLURAL.

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THE MASS MEDIA, DATA = PLURAL

The mass media have publicized the facts. Subject: mass media Verb: have publicized The data amaze everyone. Subject: data

Verb: amaze

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1- A FEW SUBJECTS WITH MODIFIED PHRASE MUST FOLLOW MAIN SUBJ.

NOUN 1 Together with/ along with/ as well as/ accompanied by + NOUN 2

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= VERB agree with Noun 1

The phrase introduced by as well as or along with will modify the earlier word (mayor in this case), but it does not compound the subjects (as the word and would do).
The mayor and his brother are going to jail. Subject: The mayor and his brother Verb: are The mayor along with his brother is going to jail. Subject: The mayor along with his brother Verb: is
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1- A FEW NOUNS CAN BE EITHER PLURAL OR SINGULAR.

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community, jury, = SINGULAR

Depending on whether they mean a group or separate individuals. These words are rarely used as plurals in modern writing.
The jury is sequestered. Subject: jury Verb: is The jury are having an argument. Subject: jury Verb: are having
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On the following slides you will find the instructions for exercises related to this topic.

Contents Definition Kind of pronouns Practice

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Contents Definition Kind of pronouns Practice

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