LEARNING MODULE 1

Subject: Communication Competency I

Semester: First
Topic: Subject-Verb Agreement
Writer(s): Ms. Shareen Gay Baslot and Ms. Hilrem Bayucot

LEARNING GOALS and TARGETS

For your expectations, write your own possible goals and targets for this
lesson in the box.

Is English really hard? Read what’s inside the box.

WHY ENGLISH IS HARD TO LEARN?

We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,

But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,

Why shouldn’t the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn’t the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,

Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!
-Anonymous
Activity: Language Workshop
Check the rules of S-V agreement and study the given examples.
Then do the practice exercises that follow. To avoid problem in S-V agreement,
make sure that you know which word functions as the subject.
S V
One of my books is missing.
S V
Danny, together with his family, has left the country.

Underline the verb that agrees with the subject.

1. She (steps, step) down from the cart with a quick, delicate poise.
2. The young girls (looks, look) up with smiles.
3. Her nails (has, have) been long but not painted.
4. He (has, have) heard so much about her.
5. Our pet (swallows, swallow) my ping pong ball.
6. The stories I read in this book (is, are) all full of lessons.
7. One of the main characters in the story (is, are) not all important.
8. The nurses at Dr. De Leon’s clinic always (seems, seem) pleasant.
9. Each of my brothers (wants, want) to enroll in a driving school.
10. All the windows on the fourth floor (was, were) locked.

Subject-Verb Agreement refers to the relationship between the subject

and the verb in the sentence. It is important to learn the basic rules in
constructing a sentence. Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

Rule No. 1
If the subject is singular, the verb must be in singular too. A singular verb in
the present tense is formed by adding -s or -es to the base form.

singular subject singular verb

Example: She studies every night.

In the sentence, “she” refers to one person which means that the subject must
take a singular verb which is “studies”.

Study the sentences.

 1. Mark is very busy with his studies.
2. The boy works at the carwash.

Rule No. 2
If the subject is plural, the verb must also be in plural form.

plural subject plural verb

Example: The families move into our neighborhood.

In the sentence, the verb “move” is plural to agree with the plural subject
“families”.

Study the sentences.

1. My teachers begin the class with a prayer.

2. They love to play football.

Rule No. 3
When the subject of the sentences is composed of two or more nouns or
pronouns connected by and, the verb must be in plural form.

Plural subject
plural verb
Example: The writer and the cameraman arrive at the venue.

Study the sentences.

1. The teacher and the student attend the meeting today.

2. Mr. Gomez and his daughter have gone farming.

Rule No. 4
When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the
sentence must agree with the subject.

plural subject plural verb plural verb

Example: Gossips destroy relationships and cause to distance from someone.

Study the sentences.

1. Job interviews are good to know the applicants in-depth and allow
them to showcase their strengths.
2. Our faith helps us to trust God and makes all things possible.

Rule No. 5
When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the
verb still agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the phrase
following the subject of the sentence.

singular subject singular verb

Example: Gingoog City, as well as other countries, has a policy for waste
segregation.

Study the sentences.

1. Mr. Cruz, in addition to other teachers working, is always giving his

best.
2. The girls, along with their cats, walk daily.

Rule No. 6
When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by “or” or “nor”
use a singular verb.

Singular subject singular subject singular verb

Example: The manager or the supervisor approves the project proposal.

Study the sentences.

1. Either John or his brother is going to make dinner.

2. Sally or John has broken the glass door.

Activity: Let’s Practice

Underline the verb that agrees with the subject.

1. The tenants ( is/are ) about the discounted payment of the rent.

2. Mrs. Dela Cruz, along with Mrs. Torres, ( do/does ) volunteer work.
3. All of the salesmen, including the manager, ( was/were ) at the meeting.
4. Cutting trees ( destroy, destroys ) our environment and ( cause, causes ) soil
erosion.
5. The parents and the teacher ( discuss, discusses ) about the victory party.

Activity: Extra, Extra!

Below is a student’s draft of an introduction for an article about diversity in the
Philippines. Rewrite the draft if there is an error in the subject-verb agreement.
 (1) Each tourist or guest who come to the Philippines is always amazed
by our cultural diversity. (2) Every island and region highlights a unique
adventure. (3) A variety of traditions, dishes, celebrations, and many others are
offered to both local and foreign travelers. (4) Our rich past and our promising
future are discovered by every guest almost every day and everywhere in the
country. (5) For this reason, tourism experts, along with the Department of
Tourism believes that “It’s more fun in the Philippines!”
(6) Northern Philippines boast of its old Spanish flavor, from architecture
to culinary traditions. (7) There are much pleasure to discover in the coasts
and shorelines of Central Philippines. (8) In Southern Philippines, one
discovers the rich Islamic backgrounds of our country. (9) Nobody has ever
experienced boredom in hopping from one island to another. (10) Either
pleasure or warm insights is taken home by every visitor in our shores.

Rewrite here…

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Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

Rule No. 7
When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or
pronoun joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the part of the
subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity.

compound subject plural verb

Example: The teacher or faculty members visit the school library.
compound subject singular verb

The faculty members or the teacher visits the school library.

Study the sentences.

1. The students or the reading club donates books to elementary pupils.

2. The reading club nor the students donate books to elementary pupils.

Rule No. 8
The words and phrases "each," "each one," "either," "neither," "everyone,"
"everybody," "anyone," "anybody," "nobody," "somebody," "someone," and "no
one" are singular and require a singular verb.
singular subject singular verb

Examples: Each of the college students was excited for the in-person classes.
singular subject singular verb

Nobody cares for me.

Study the sentences.

1. No one is ready to take the challenge.

2. Everyone sings Jose Mari Chan’s song Christmas in Our Hearts.

Rule No. 9
Noncount nouns such as education, diabetes, jewelry, and among others, take
a singular verb.
singular subject singular verb

Examples: Mathematics is my least favorite subject.

singular subject singular verb
The information on disaster preparedness increases everyone’s
chances of survival.

Study the sentences.

1. Physics enables man to explain his surroundings.

2. Coffee definitely makes my day complete.

Rule No. 10
Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings,
proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and take a
plural verb.
plural subject plural verb

Examples: The odds of winning the game are slim.

plural subject plural verb

Annie’s valuables keep her mind busy.

Study the sentences.

1. The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.

2. Locally produced goods have the advantage of shorter supply chains.

Rule No. 11
In sentences beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the
verb. Since "there" is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows the
verb.
singular verb singular subject
Examples: There is little hope left.
plural subject
plural verb
There are many fishes in the ocean.

Study the sentences.

1. There is a minimal effect of his research to his business.

2. There are several factors that affect a business’s success.

Rule No. 12
Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are
considered singular and take a singular verb. Some examples are "group,"
"team," "committee," "family," and "class."
singular subject singular verb

Examples: The group agrees to surprise Mr. Sung.

singular subject singular verb

My family prays together every Sunday.

Study the sentences.

1. My volleyball team brings home the championship trophy.

2. Allie’s research team discovers the cure for pimples.

Activity: Let’s Practice

Underline the verb that agrees with the subject.

1. The student or the committee members (write, writes) every day.

2. Everyone (call, calls) me Inday.
3. Biology (is, are) the study of life.
4. There are (possibility, possibilities) of getting good grades if one studies
diligently.
5. Their PE class (was, were) cancelled.
 Activity: Extra, Extra!
Below is a student’s journal entry. Rewrite the draft and correct the errors in
subject-verb agreement.

(1) Dear Diary,

(2-3) Today is a great day indeed as my prayers is answered. (4) As

everyone expect the landfall of typhoon Gardo in the Gingoog City, (5) the
typhoon diverts its direction. (6 - 7) The bright sun and the blue skies are here
to stays. (8-9) There are many people who feels relieved with this news. (10)
Everybody thank God for His divine intervention. See you tomorrow!
Your friend,
Markie

Rewrite here…

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--- End of Module 1. Subject-Verb Agreement ---