Welcome to Grammar Guide 14!  This week we are discussing Subject and Verb Agreement.  In this day of endless agreements, isn't it good to know that we are focusing on making sure that our words are lining up properly?

There is only one rule in Subject-Verb Agreement, but, being the English language, we need to make this complicated. Verbs must agree with subjects in number and in person.

First up, we need to discuss Indefinite Pronouns.

• Each, everybody, everyone, everything and no one use a singular verb
• All, any, most, some can be singular or plural depending on what they are referring to.  Verb should match the subject in number.

Some examples:

• Title of books, movies, and songs - Always Singular
  • The Cannonball Run is a funny movie.
• Prepositions and prepositional phrases - Depends - Ignore the preposition or preposition phrase
  • The box of mozzarella sticks was in the freezer. (box is singular)
• Indefinite pronouns - Singular pronouns = singular verbs and plural pronouns = plural verbs
  • Somebody owns that house.
  • Many of us own that house.
• Amount - as a single unit like: time, money or food  - Always singular
  • Fifty dollars is the price.
  • Half the apple is eaten.
• Collective nouns - singular for collective noun conveying unity; plural for collective noun conveying plurality
  • The United States has diverse geography.
  • The faculty were all insane ideologues.

What about the oddballs?

There are few oddball words out there in English.  For example scissors and pants.  Scissors and pants are both plural unless you insert "a pair of" and then you are singular.

Can you think of any more examples of oddballs? Post them in your reply.

• References:
  • Kern, Jara. (2020). The Infographic Guide to Grammar. Adams Media
  • Venolia, Jan. (2001). Write Right! (4th ed.). Ten Speed Press