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Tips for English Language Subject–Verb Agreement

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Updated:  
2016-03-26 15:51:43
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English Grammar Essentials For Dummies, Australian Edition
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Matching the right subject to your verb can be tricky when you're writing in English. Here are some basic tips to help you work out which verbs are singular and which verbs are plural.

  • Match singular subjects with singular verbs, plural subjects with plural verbs.

  • Amounts of time and money are usually singular (ten minutes is).

  • Eitheror and neithernor: Match the verb to the closest subject (neither the boys nor the girl is).

  • Either and neither, without their partners or and nor, always take a singular verb (either of the apples is).

  • All subjects preceded by each and every take a singular verb.

  • Both, few, several, many are always plural.

About This Article

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About the book author:

Wendy M Anderson is an author, editor and educator. She has taught effective communication in classroom and business environments for over 20 years.

Geraldine Woods is a grammarian and writer with more than 35 years’ experience teaching and writing about English. She is the author of English Grammar For Dummies, SAT For Dummies, and Research Papers For Dummies.

Lesley J Ward is a founding member of the UK Society for Editors and Proofreaders.