Verb Agreeement

Singular subjects take singular verbs

• Canada belongs to the United Nations. 
• The premier has promised to reduce the taxes this year.
• The oak table appears to have some scratches on it.

Plural subject and compound subjects take plural verb

• Air compressors generate a lot of energy. 
• The Persian rugs were bought at an auction.
• Pepper and salt are bad for your health. 
• Inflation, recession and consequent unemployment have been caused by the sharp rise in oil prices.

The verb agrees with its subject, not with an “of…” or “in. ..” phrase

• The destruction on of the ships has been accomplished. 
• The purpose of these classes is to make you understand English grammar.
• The people of Vancouver are angry about the strike.
• The water in all these bottles contains salt.

A verb agrees with the subject (that comes before the verb) and not with the object that follows the verb

• Movies are his interest.
• His interest is movies.
• Business problems are his concern. 
• His concern is business problems.

Gerunds (nouns ending in “ing”) take singular verbs

• Jogging is a popular sport. 
• Driving recklessly leads to accidents. 
• Saving money in the bank instead of investing in stocks is a safe thing to do.

When “there” begins a sentence, the verb agrees with the subject that follows it (“there” is not a subject)

• There is only one reason for their quarrels.
• There are several reasons for his decision.
• There has been a recession throughout the world for the last 10 years.
• There have been many wars in the Middle East for the past 30 years.

Words that always take the singular

• “Each” and “every” are always followed by singular nouns, verbs and pronouns:
• Each carpenter is bringing his own tools. 
• Every woman knows how to mend her own dress. 
• Each magazine and newspaper has its place on the newsstand.

“No one”, “everyone”, “someone”, “anybody” and “anyone’ always take the singular:

• Everyone who invests money in the stock market is taking a big risk.
• No one In the American government Intends to stop the arms race.

“Neither” and “either” take singular verbs:

• Neither of the oranges looks ripe.
• Either plan is fine.

“One of the” takes plural noun but singular verb:

• One of the reasons for overcrowding in the classroom is the budget cuts in education. 
• One of the worst problems the city faces in 1983 is the housing shortage.

Collective nouns are usually singular:

• The United Nations has over 100 members. 
• The United States belongs to the United Nations.
• Canada has 25 million people. 
• The family which plays together stays together . 
• The Committee of Progressive Electors is meeting this morning. 
• The company has decided to build a new office building in Toronto.

The verb in a dependent clause agrees with its antecedent:

• He chose a topic which, for the most part, deals with telecommunication. 
• The budget director presented a proposal concerning next year’s plans that was very controversial. 
• The students who sit next to me in class are both geniuses.