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AGREEMENT
(SUBJECT/VERB)
A verb agrees with its subject if its form shows the
same number and person as the subject.
The following auxiliary verb
forms are considered singular: is, am, was, has, does.
The following
are plural: are, have, do, were.
For other verbs the singular form in
the present tense takes an "S".
He loves me. She knows me. It seems
good.
1. Verbs agree with their subjects in number and person. A
singular subject requires a singular verb form; a plural subject requires
a plural verb form.
We are late today. The man walks slowly.
The
plane always flies at a low altitude.
The candle burns slowly.
The
candles burn slowly.
Fatmata knows my school.
Fatmata and Fatu know
my school.
I do my work everyday.
She does her work
everyday.
They do their work everyday.
Sorie doesn't know the
way.
Sorie and Alhaji don't know the way
Teneh has my
ruler.
Teneh and Lucy have my ruler.
2. The number of a subject is
not changed by a prepositional phrase following the subject. Remember that
a word in a prepositional phrase cannot be the subject of a verb.
The
many lights on the tree make it look bright
The silence in the halls is
unusual.
Thus a singular subject followed by a plural modifier requires
a singular verb.
The attitude of these boys is hostile.
The leader
of the hunters has shot a lion.
One of the women in the back row looks
sick.
A list of names was given to me.
3. When two or more singular
subjects are connected by AND a plural form of the verb is required.
He
and his brother are identical twins.
Exception: Every boy and girl
likes to swim.
Bread and butter is good for you.
Six and two is
eight
The President and Chancellor of the university has address the
students.
Rice and stew was served.
4. Singular subjects joined by
OR or NOR take a singular verb.
A pen or a pencil is needed for the
test.
Either John or Musa was present.
Neither Abu nor Alpha has
attended the class.
5.The following pronouns are singular and take
singular verbs:
Each, either, neither, one, everyone, anyone, anybody,
everybody, no-one, nobody, someone, somebody.
One of the chairs looks
comfortable.
Neither of the answers is correct.
Each of them makes a
lot of money.
Nobody in town admits seeing him.
Somebody has to do
the work.
Everybody knows the answers.
7. Words like some, any,
none, all and most may be either singular or plural.
All of my work is
finished.
Some of the road has been paved.
Some of the roads have
been paved.
None is expected from that room(uncountable)
None are
expected from that room.(countable)
8. The following pronouns are
plural and take plural verbs: few, several, many, both.
Both of the
books are here.
9.A singular subject followed immediately by:
as
well as, in addition to, including, no less than, with, together with
requires a singular verb.
The husband,as well as the wife,needs
advice.
The president, with his guards, is in the hall.
The
coach,including his assistant,was praised.
10. Plural numbers take a
singular verb when they are used to indicate a sum or unit.
Six million
dollars is a great deal of money.
Ten years is too long to
wait.
Five percent is good interest.
Three yards is less than a
mile.
Forty hours is the regular workweek.
Twenty percent has been
taken.
Sheku Kamara 1 Goderich Street Freetown Tel: 220175 Sheku Kamara
1 Goderich Street Freetown Tel: 220175 Sheku
Exercise 3
1. One of
the two girls���..going to Bo.
A. is B. were C. are D. have
2.
Neither of my uncles��..any children.
A. have B. are C. has D.
was
3.Five hundred leones�more than I can afford
A. were B. is C.
are D. do
4. Everyone in the group��here.
A. are B. were C. has D.
is
5.Your response to the question�me pleasure
A. gives B. give C.
giving D. given
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